tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball/52 2008-04-11T18:27:09Z Movable Type 3.33 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.787 2008-04-11T18:26:33Z 2008-04-11T18:27:09Z

Paige Herman I grew up in Davidson, just down the street from Coach Driesell. To this day, I still have autographs from the 1965 team, Hetzel's senior year. I remember well seeing Charlie Scott knock Davidson out of the 1969 Eastern regionals. It was an ethereal space we occupied, my chums & I in Davidson back then. We knew it was remarkable that the 1000-male college could field a top-notch program, but it was all we really knew. By the time I matriculated as a Davidson freshman in 1974, those heady times were only a memory. In my four years at Davidson, the team won a total of 26 games. It was quite a letdown, & it was hard taking in games knowing how far & how quickly the Wildcats had fallen from their pinnacle. Over the last several years, it has been a delight to see Davidson build & hone a high caliber team. Davidson's domination of the Southern Conference has been on-going & resulted in a series of post-season games. Once again, I was following Davidson religiously, watching those games I could on TV, listening to others via internet radio, or simply reading about them in the sports pages. I felt like the team should have been ranked last season already, especially with its very narrow loss to a strong Maryland team. This year the early & narrow losses to UNC, Duke, & UCLA were disappointing but encouraging all the same. I knew we were close but would we get over the hump? I actually found the wins against Elon & UNC-G most promising. It would have been easy for Davidson to fold in either one of those games & settle for an 18-2 or a 19-1 conference record, but the team hung tough & did not quit. That determination & team morale was essential for the NCAA tourney run. The Wildcats believed in themselves & never said die. That, I think, is what made this such an appealing story -- here we had a collection of non-McDonald's All-Americans who worked very hard under the direction of a talented & devoted coaching staff & got the job done. Bravo! In some ways, this year's experience surpasses the Davidson of the 1960s -- for one thing, Davidson actually has fewer males to draw from than then. When Davidson made its 1968 & 1969 runs to the regional finals, Davidson had been ranked for most of the time since 1963 -- as a Top 10 team one might even expect they'd make it that far. In any event, I thank you all for the exhilarating run & wish I could be there in Belk Arena on Tuesday to yell my cheers & offer my thanks. I never expected to be able to re-live this vaunted aspect of my youth. In closing, I'll note that my seventh-grade daughters --the same age I was in 1969-- were also consumed by Davidson-mania. One afternoon before the Wisconsin game they took their sidewalk chalk to the street & in huge, bold letters scrawled "Sweet 16 -- Go Davidson!" & then added the names of coach & players. Neighbors voiced their approval. Yes indeed, go Davidson! Best wishes, Eric G. Wruck, '78 Bexley, Ohio tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.783 2008-04-11T14:53:24Z 2008-04-11T14:56:46Z

Paige Herman The difference between you and other teams is that you played Basketball. You love the Ball and enjoy the game. You played as a team. Not only Jason, Andrew and of course Stephen. This is something that has been missing in the last 10 years in USA basketball. Great athletes, runners, jumpers, very strong players, but no real basketball. You are not a Cinderella case, you are probably the more correct version of the game called Basketball. Svilen Spassov tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.782 2008-04-11T14:36:54Z 2008-04-11T14:38:16Z

Paige Herman This class of '51 Davidsonian watched the Wildcats from tip off to bounce off. I have witnessed lots of hoop in my life time, but I don't think I have ever seen a finer display of pure basketball skills. Your opponent honored the quality of the Davidson team by playing their absolute best until the final shot. Well done, gentlemen ! Howard Paul, class of '51 Albuquerque, New Mexico. tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.781 2008-04-11T14:35:49Z 2008-04-11T14:38:16Z

Paige Herman We could not be more proud to be part of the Davidson Wildcat family. Before March here in Northern VA few people knew where Davidson College was or anything about it. This year’s undefeated Southern Conference Elite 8 Davidson basketball team showed them how teamwork, determination, integrity and character define what Davidson is all about. This year’s team gave us all many more than “one shining moment” to enjoy; Jason Richards’ ability to see the court, find the open man, hit 2’s and 3’s, be all business but always with a smile, Curry somehow always finding a way to get open and his oustanding shooting, Sanders impressively playing through the pain of a broken thumb, passing, scoring, rebounding through it all, Meno and Lovedale pulling down rebounds against the best and Coach McKillop showing what leadership, care and teamwork can accomplish. We hope that the whole Davidson team will feel our pride and joy in their accomplishments and will know that we will be reliving your shining moments as we proudly wear our Davidson t-shirts in Northern Virginia knowing that everyone NOW knows what Davidson is all about! Thanks for a great run and congratulations on an amazing season! The Wilson Family Annandale, VA tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.779 2008-04-08T19:40:42Z 2008-04-08T19:41:25Z

Paige Herman A Poem Easter 2008 Richards and Curry Lovedale and McKillop Now and in time to be Wherever red and black is worn, Are changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born. Go Wildcats, Kemmer Anderson ‘69 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.772 2008-04-08T15:15:15Z 2008-04-08T15:18:08Z

Paige Herman I want to offer our thanks to the 2007-2008 men’s basketball team and all of their supporting cast for the magnificent way you told the Davidson story during your NCAA tournament performances. You did all the work and those of us who were lucky enough to cheer you on were simply the very grateful recipients of unprecedented admiration for our alma mater. Yes, the games you played were fabulous and gutsy, and the crowds were faithful and delightfully rowdy. But if I were to create a “shining moments” video for you from this tournament run, I’d be sure to capture some of the following off-the-court highlights, too: • I hope you won’t forget the UNC pep band playing SWEET CAROLINE in tribute to you and to your fabulous coaches as you entered the RBC Arena after you defeated mighty Georgetown. • Did you know that after the Georgetown game, a Winston-Salem disc jockey referred to an upcoming visit to North Carolina by George Clooney and Barack Obama and quickly added “Now if only we could get the Davidson Wildcats to show up, then we would REALLY have something special!” • Perhaps you did not hear from the staff at your Detroit hotel (who were all proudly sporting our Witness/Wildcats t-shirts!) how impressed they were with your good manners, your approachability, your humility. We heard that about you from the housekeepers, the front desk staff, the hotel manager and the waiters and waitresses...over and over. (Take a bow, parents!) • Hopefully you noted the expressions of pure joy on the faces of the children (and adults!) who asked for your autographs, who waited patiently in the arena and hotel lobbies for a chance to shake your hands, surprised that you did not sneak in and out using a secret entrance, fans of all ages who were thrilled when you stopped to talk to them or pose for pictures. • What does it say about a team when one of the fans who traveled to Detroit to watch you was your teammate Bryant Barr’s fourth grade teacher...from Maine?! • I wish you could have seen the tears in the eyes of a member of the University of Kansas Board of Trustees as she told me how moved she and her colleagues were that Davidson students were able to be in Detroit to support the Wildcats. In my video, Traci, Linda, and Wendy would be featured for their tireless and selfless efforts, working almost around the clock to make that trip possible. • Did you know that a 92 year old man with family ties to Davidson was calling everyone he knew Sunday night to be sure they were watching us humble Kansas? • Who would have guessed that the pensive, unassuming, sweatshirted Davidson student relaxing with his parents and family in the hotel lounge after the Kansas game, listening quietly to Dick Vitale laud the basketball prowess of Steph Curry and label him one of college basketball’s greatest players was, in fact, Steph Curry? • Have you heard that the morning after the Kansas game, legions of employees and travelers in airports across the country would notice our Davidson shirts and congratulate us (mere alums and fans) on a terrific season and express regret that we weren’t going to San Antonio, that they sure were pulling for us? It was STILL a great day to be a Wildcat! • How will our school be impacted by people like the gentleman who stopped me in the airport to say, “Wow...how about that Davidson!” and then went on to tell me that he coaches high school runners in Massachusetts and has sent lots of them to Williams and to Ivy League schools but now is going to be sure they consider Davidson first? Yes, your intensity, your commitment, and your skill all contributed to a basketball season that was one for the ages but please also accept my heartfelt thanks for how admirably you represented Davidson College and made your mark on March Madness with these memorable, if unheralded, “shining moments.” With gratitude and best wishes to each of you! Carol Connor Willingham Class of 1977 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.767 2008-04-07T21:58:53Z 2008-04-07T21:59:26Z

Paige Herman Life is beautiful with Davidson! You guys have made us so proud! On Easter Sunday, David-son slew a giant and advanced to Sweet 16. Media frenzy surrounded the Wildcats and brought much attention to campus. The best kept secret in the south was unveiled. Your hard work had been recognized and furthered into Elite Eight. One of our friends emailed us, “Go Go David-son!!! There are more stones in the slingshot.” The game between Davidson and Kansas was portrayed as “Davidson and Goliath” at the beginning of the CBS broadcast. After the last buzz, the whole world seemed stand still until the next morning in a meet ing I heard someone mentioned, “…Davidson played very well.” I couldn’t help but bursting with pride, “My son goes to Davidson!” They responded, “The whole nation is cheering for you.” It was so close…and we are even much prouder of you after watching Last Saturday’s game. You have fought a good fight and, if not already, won our heart with your selfless teamwork. You have been ambassadors for Davidson whether on court or at 8:30 am class the next morning. As parents, we love especially when Stephen hugged his parents before each game, and pointed skyward after he scored. Thank you! There are more stones in the slingshot… Keep up your good work! Go Cats! Blessings, Proud Parents of the Su Family ‘11 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.766 2008-04-07T15:32:26Z 2008-04-07T15:35:09Z

Paige Herman Chalmers, Hattie, Mary, Murray Are you watching from somewhere While the Wildcats make ’em worry? Chalmers, Hattie, Mary, Murray Come watch your Stephen Curry Swish another through the air! Chalmers, Hattie, Mary, Murray Are you watching from somewhere? Doctors Dagy, Lilly, Puckett, Are you smiling from the skies When he sinks another bucket? Doctors Dagy, Lilly, Puckett, Do you think its only luck? It Isn’t come as no surprise! Doctors Dagy, Lilly, Puckett, Are you smiling from the skies? While the laundry staff is pressing Hands in prayer along with shirts, Let us offer up a blessing While the boys are full-court pressing All the ghosts say, “ Keep ‘em guessing” From Cop Linker to Dean Burts (While the laundry staff is pressing Hands in prayer along with shirts). Sam Gwynn ‘69 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.765 2008-04-07T14:44:43Z 2008-04-07T15:35:09Z

Paige Herman Just wanted to say that Davidson made a great impression on the nation. You have a great basketball team and quality students on that team to represent their families and the college! Colorado was impressed and is still talking about the games. We were watching! Thanks for the entertainment and congratulations to the team on the great team effort. Tricia (Tricia Graf, mother of student Lindsey Graf) tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.764 2008-04-07T14:29:32Z 2008-04-07T15:35:09Z

Paige Herman Yeah, Davidson Wildcats! Living west of the Mississippi, all we hear about here is UCLA, except for the occasional good teams here at the Univ. of Az. Lately, the U of A program has been down, and this season was unsettling due to Lute Olson's absence. But you came to the rescue! I was never so proud of my little school---not just the wins, but even more the way in which you represented the things Davidson stands for. Congratulations to all! I am wearing my Davidson tee shirt and hat around Tucson with pride, and now a lot of people here know about the team, the school, and the town. You have put Davidson on the map. Best regards, John Almond Class of '63 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.763 2008-04-05T19:20:13Z 2008-04-05T19:21:15Z

Paige Herman My wife Diane and I had tickets to one and only one Celtics game at Boston Garden for the 2007-2008 season. This game was against New Orleans last Friday night, 28Mar. This was, of course, the same night as your game against Wisconsin. With some reluctance we set out to see the Celtics game. I made sure to wear my Davidson T-shirt. Celtics fans, not surprisingly, are well tuned in to all things basketball. By about half-time several people sitting around us with cell phone connections to the outside world were keeping us informed as to the status of your game. When it was clear you had the victory in hand our little circle of fans were sharing in the success and asking us questions about Davidson. After the game on the way out of the Garden a number of people stopped us, congratulated us on the victory, and suggested we should root for Villanova in the Kansas game. It was great fun to be a Davidson graduate that night. Thanks for a fantastic season. Bob Anders ‘75 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.762 2008-04-05T19:18:15Z 2008-04-05T19:19:36Z

Paige Herman I'm not much of a basketball fan but I remember watching the Wildcats in 1969 at the elite eight when I was in school at Davidson and couldn't have been prouder. Well, it was "deja vu all over again". I got caught up with the team and what you were doing in 2008 and again couldn't have been prouder. I was constantly bragging at work about Davidson and was on the edge of my seat when the final buzzer sounded in the game against Kansas. Congratulations on a great season--keep up the good work. You've made all us old Wildcats proud!!!! Steve Butler '70 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.761 2008-04-04T23:16:27Z 2008-04-04T23:17:19Z

Paige Herman I'm currently serving over in Iraq. I have been here four months with about 11 months left to my tour. You cannot imagine how awesome it was to see Davidson playing. It brought so much pride and joy to my heart and the other Davidson alumni serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was the best morale booster anyone could ever receive. I appreciate it, and I'm extremely proud to be associated with such a great team! Good job this season! Natalie Rowe '06 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.760 2008-04-04T23:14:25Z 2008-04-04T23:15:58Z

Paige Herman Dear Friends, I like had an amazing time watching Davidson play Kansas last Sunday. Except instead of being in a sports bar with a crowd of alums, I was here in my manse study in Glasgow, Scotland, viewing it on my computer screen and talking (free long distance) to a classmate in Seattle who was watching it on his computer screen. We both commented on how we felt we were back at D.C. sitting in the bleachers in Johnston gym cheering on our team and having one of those pick-up-where-we-left-off conversations about anything and everything. Occasionally we would compare the scores and times on our respective screens and find Scotland a second or two ahead of Seattle in screen time. We might've wondered if the phone report from Seattle to Scotland accounted for those seconds but knew we were having an instantaneous conversation. I can't imagine missing that game, and there's no way I could've watched it all by myself. You all inhabit my dreams. Lindsay Biddle '83 tag:blogs.davidson.edu,2008:/wildcatbasketball//52.759 2008-04-04T23:10:47Z 2008-04-04T23:17:41Z

Paige Herman Tthank you for giving us a great excuse to gather together five times these past few weeks. Beginning with the Southern Conference Championship Game, we were thrilled to be affiliated with a team that demonstrated such poise and determination. We were also thrilled to recall our experiences with Davidson basketball in the past. Shared memories build community. Looking forward to the 2008-09 season with anticipation. Jeffrey J. Sich ‘77 Co-President, St. Louis Alumni Chapter