A LETTER FROM AN ALUM
"POST GAME SPEECH"

Coach DeGeorge-

 

So upon further review, it has occurred to me that, considering where the team sits and the point in the season and the platform you so generously set up for me, my responsibility was to be a bit more productive with the minutes I received. I lost track of time and score coach. Instead of working the clock and finding the right shot I opted to jack the quick transition three and I am here to tell you I regret the decision.

 

What I felt leaving the gym Saturday evening was some sort of pride. Several different aspects of how the game played out revealed to me that the Men’s Basketball Program is in as good of shape as it has ever been. I was proud to be an alumni. I even wanted some playing time or even just a “uni” to make the stretch run with you fella’s. The ball moves well on reversal and inside out, people move without the ball with a purpose, everyone seems to be comfortable in their role and the talent of those roles makes the opposition guard the entire floor. The floor game and court presence of the players seemed to quite clearly reflect a team that was familiar with success.

 

However, what was most impressive was watching the team react to adversity. As the fog of block break started catching up with our legs and Simpson started to become more physical, the game turned to a mental challenge. Under the ten minute mark the Storm cut it to single digits, we are having troubles finishing and they have caught a second wind. Who steps up? Grif drives and kicks to Riley for a huge three and then we get a stop and Tierney puts more pressure on the rim, finishing with the harm. Up twelve at the eight minute mark. Nice.

 

Finding a comfort zone protecting a lead is a difficult task, especially when you don’t know why you are tired. Bunnies roll off the lip, free throws come up short and weak side help is a step late. Suddenly your rhythm has evaporated and even running motion becomes difficult. While Simpson proceeded to erase the deficit and the officials decided to put away their whistles, one intangible remained blaringly obvious to me. The team remained in-tact. There was no loss of composure. No one complained about missed calls. No one broke ranks and got down on themselves or another teammate. No one hit panic. I don’t believe we got a stop in the next seven minutes, but when it came time to man up, when it came to the time for taking what they earned the team came up with three stops in the final 40 seconds and closed the deal. And when it was over, everyone acted as if they had been there before. Maybe not a pretty win, but certainly evidence of a team that knows how to win.

 

I was thoroughly impressed. And having missed my opportunity to reveal this to you and the team, I wanted to say that you make all former players proud. Whether they are aware of it or not, and that you do your school and yourselves a great service through your actions on and off the court. As the team makes a final push for a conference title and any potential post season bid, enjoy every last practice, push each other to another level, and realize what you have there as a team is pretty special. Maybe the best ever in Cornell uniforms.

 

With much respect- Chris Heller ‘92