The End of Season One

Tonight the Danville Area Lady Jaguars fell to the Lady Saints of Shawnee Community College, 79-72. It was a good game, but one we should have won. Oh well. As we turn our eyes completly to the 2011-12 season, there is time to reflect as well as time to get excited.

The 2010-11 team was characterized by their hard work. The girls brought it every day, competeting every day against each other. And against everyone we faced. It was a challenge, but the girls managed to turn around an entire program's attitude in less than one season. Way to go ladies. The schemes that we used on both offense and defense proved that we would work. We just couldn't always execute. Most of that was due to a lack of depth. Just didn't have the bodies to keep fresh legs on the court. Our overall record does not reflect all the strides these girls made this year. Congratulations to Dani Gooch, Erin Bensyl, Kirstin Kimball, Cassidy Grey, Ta'ler March, Logan Cash, Maggie Bartley and Claire Strader. Way to go. I will miss this group as they continue on. Some will be at DACC for more hoops next year. Some will move on to other adventures. Thank you for the memories.

Kyle Bent

For those of you that know, Kyle Bent is the Head Coach of the Women's Basketball team at Danville Area Community College. That means he is also my boss. It wasn't too long ago that I was Kyle's boss when we worked together at the University of Illinois. Funny how times have changed.

The reason that Coach is the subject of my blog today is that he thinks its funny that I have a blog. He even laughed at me. But, in all reality, Coach is a great guy. We became fast friends when I started with Campus Rec at Illinois, and that freindship quickly grew. I'll just put it this way. There aren't a lot of individuals I would move 2,000 miles away from home for. Good thing I love what I do.

So here's to you, Kyle Bent. Master of the dance moves.

Ramblings From The Gym

As some of you may remember, I used to post FB status updates all the time of the random things I saw in the gym. Well, the internet is not that great nor is the service in my new gym so they don't always get through. Here are some of my favorites from the last month of working out.

The dude that is trying way to hard to be a bad ass. I dont care that you are going through a midlife crisis right now. Wearing a wife beather that is four sizes too big, bringing a protein shake, a nitrogen booster, and who knows what else in a different water bottle does not make you cool. Neither does slamming the weights down and yelling obscenties at the weights like you just won a world title.

The older gentleman that was walking on the treadmill and decided that you were too hot and needed to take off your sweat pants. I have no problem with you working in your shorts. But next time, please remember to keep those on. I do not need to see you walking in your underwear for five mintues.

There is nothing wrong with two men discussing basketball in the locker room after playing basketball. I just get a little concerned when they are naked. And discussing women's basketball. Just strikes me as odd. Yes. I do coach women's basketball. Yes, I do dicuss women's basketball with other men. Yes, I am naked at times. I just don't combine them.

And finally. To the older gentlemen that get all out of sorts when a younger (still middle aged) attractive woman comes in to workout. She looks like she is in better shape than all of you. I'm sure she doesn't need your tips, or want your tip. Did you also happen to notice the rock on her finger? I know that rings don't plug holes. But seriously. Quit sitting on the equipment I am trying to use to work out with, and leave her alone.

That is all.

Danville Area Community College Recruiting Class 2011

Will update this as more information becomes available or changes.

Signing day is April 6th.

We cannot sign recruits to their National Letter of Intent until after the NCAA signing day. Its fun to sweat it out. Just so no one gets any feelers hurt, recruits will be listed aplphabetically by last name.


Signed National Letter of Intent:


Verbal Commitment, but have not signed NLI:

Kayton Cole (5'5", G, New Albany High School, New Albany, IN):
- Projected to play a guard and help out at the point
- Did not play her senior year due to an injury
- Dropped 45 points in a game as a junior

Lauren Deiss (5'7", G, Illini Central High School, Mason City, IL):
-Projected to play a guard position
- Scored over 1,000 points in her high school career
- Qualified for the 3-Point Shootout at the Illinois State Championships (2011)

Tierra Golightly (5'10", G):
-Indiana Top 100 and Top 60
-Will play a guard for DACC
-Can get to the hole and shoot

Megan Hiner (5'7", G, Knightstown High School, Knightstown, IN):
-Projected to play a guard position
-Pre-Season Second Team All-State in Indiana
-Invited to, and participated in, the Top 100 Workout in Indiana
-Knightstown, IN is home to the gym where Hoosiers was filmed

Hillary Lively (6'0", F, North Vermillion High School, Convington, IN):
- Very athletic post who will contribute right away
- Sat out 2010-11 season while attending SIU-Carbondale
- Local product from just across the state line

Stephanie Lord (5'8", G, Randolph Southern High School, Lynn, IN ):
-McDonald's High School All-American Nominee
-Top 100 Workout participant for Indiana
-Pre-Season First Team All-State for Indiana
-Set school records for 3-pointers in a career, steals in a career, and steals in a season

Emily Montgomery (5'9", G, Vincennes Rivet High School, Vincennes, IN):
-Very athletic and projected to play the wing
-Leading scorer on her team, which is ranked #1 in their class in Indiana
-Was starting left fielder on the varsity baseball team as a sophomore (ESPN did a feature)

Rachel Novak (6'0", F, Providence Catholic High School, Lockport, IL):
-Transferred from Lockport HS to Providence Catholic
-Works out at the Chicago Bulls Academy
-Was named to the Chicago site All-Tournament Team for the US Junior Nationals (Sept 2010)

Alex Roberts (5'11", F, Heyworth High School):
-Returning to DACC. Played for DACC during 2009-2010 season. Redshirted 2010-2011 season. -Will provide solid rebounding and scoring presance in the post

Returning Players:

Dani Gooch (5'9", G, Tolono Unity High School, Tolono, IL):
-Appeared in every game for the Jags in 2010-2011, playing almost every minute
-Ran the point
-Aggressive with ball, can finish, also has a good outside jumper

Ta'ler March (5'6", G, Danville High School, Danville, IL):
-Very athletic
-Creates a lot of problems on the defensive end with her quickness and jumping ability
-Quick enough to get the the rim on the offensive end

Logan Cash (5'9", F, Oakland High School, Oakland, IL):
-Team leader with a great motor
-Provides a high level of intensity in practice and games
-Solid inside presance

Driving: Figure It Out

Having attended school at three different Universities, lived in four different states, and ten different cities in the last ten years, I feel that I might be qualified to talk about this subject just a little.

Danvilel Area Community College students are by far the worst drivers of any school I have ever been at. I get scared making the three minute drive across campus when the students are in class. And its even better when I have to do it in the Mini Bus. Let me give you some hints. Those red things that look kinda round-ish. Those are stop signs. That means stop. To stop is not make your car come to a stand still, look around, and then go. Not just keep going. Also, I hate to tell you this, but the parking lots are not Daytona International Speed Way. Slow down and look around. Finally, reverse lights DO NOT equal right of way. You hot me while you're backing up and that is on you.

That is all.

Why Varsity Blues Is Still Relevant

Varsity Blues. Just about everybody in my generations favorite movie. Or at least in their top ten. Great movie. It made you laugh. It made you cry. And it probably turned you on. It is also one of the movies that, at least my male friends and I, love to quote and reenact every chance we get.

It is funny how little things from that movie keep appearing in life. For example. Last night I was invited out with some co-workers from FireHaus. Not just out, but out to an apartment party. All I kept thinking to myself was, "Am I about to be on America's Funniest Shots of People Gettin' Hit In The Nuts?"

Last night I relaized that apartment parties have not changed at all since I graduated. But, as a 28 year old, I did not feel that out of place with the rest of the party crowd that was in their early 20s. Probably helped that I was invited and didn't just crash the party. Or that I was so willing to rip shots of Burnett's Vodka. Straight. Multiple times.

Beer pong still abounds. Music is still played way too loud. There is still someone that will act like Billy Bob. And yes. We all would steal a police car if we had the chance.

Looking Ahead

The thing with college basketball is you can never be complacent and sit still. The moment you do, someone else passes you. As a coaching staff, Coach Bent and I are always tweaking our offensive and defensive sets. Finding ways to add wrinkles that give us an edge, and can provide our oppoents with something they haven't already seen from us on film.

The other area that we can't sit still in is recruiting. Coach Bent and I (mainly Coach) have put together a very impressive recruiting class for the 2011-12 season. Having a total of 13 scholarships to fill for next season, we were a little apprehensive that we might not be able to fill all the spots. Now we wish we had more scholarships. It has been very successful. Next year we look to return three players off of this years team (only one counts towards our scholarship total), bringing back our redshirt, and adding eleven new players.

Of those nine, we have already recieved verbal commitments five players, three of them from the state of Indiana and two from the state of Illinois. All three from Indiana were pre-season All-State selections. Of our Illinois commits, one worksout at the Chicago Bulls Academy in Chicago, and the other has a shot to set several state records.

For the remaining six sports, we have about eight or so players in the mix. Should be a fun group too. I will keep it posted as more players make their choice to play at DACC official.

The State of Women's Basketball

When I first joined the staff at DACC, the women's team was very raw. There was potential there, but we had to put in some work to knock the rust off. After some tough pre-season workouts, lots of running in early practices, and some fine tuning with drills, the Lady Jaguars are a force on the court.

My first season has provided a variety of challenges. As a coaching staff we have had to overcome the plethora of obstacles that our players inadvertantly throw up from grades, injuries, sickness and a lack of focus at times. Starting the year with nine girls on the roster was a challenge in and of itself. The roster only had four returning players from the previous season, and one recruit that chose to still come to DACC. That left Coach Bent with only five players on the roster when he took the job. He was able to find two more who were friends with one of hte girls on the volleyball team. We also found another player who was coming on an academic scholarship and wanted to hoop. Once I got to campus we added the final player at an open gym. The last player we added came at the semester when a player who decided to redshirt and transfer to DACC. She played for DACC last season. So, at least we have nine bodies and can do a lot more in practice.

The girls play very hard. They one thing that makes Coach and I so proud is that they never quit. They are always out-numbered. But always come to play. Way to go girls.

Once Again, Here I Stand

A year and half later, I decide to check in.

First off, I no longer live in the great state of Washington. I have made the return to the Midwest, even back to Illinois. I currently find myself living in Danville, Illinois. For those of you that don't know, Danville is on the Illinois-Indiana stateline about 80 miles west of Indianapolis and 35 miles east of Champaign.

What brought me here, you ask? Well, my good friend from graduate school, Kyle Bent, was hired as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Danville Area Community College. He called me back in late July and asked me to join his staff as his lead assistant. So here I am, in the middle of the corn fields, coaching women's college basketball. And it is a lot of fun.

After my last post I was able to land a full time bartending/bar manager gig at Zeppoz, in Pullman, Washington. Yes, I returned the great city of Pullman and spent a wonder year and some change there. The one thing that I really learned from that time is that I thouroughly enjoy working in the bar industry. Something I will continue to do for much of my life. Which in turn, has led me back to Fire Haus. A bar on the campus of the University of Illinois where I worked during grad school as a doorman. Now, I manage.

Hopefully, now that I am settled in for a bit, I will be able to get back to the random postings that this blog was intended for.