Tennessee @ Stanford

[lilcrc]

It was a great game. Afterwards M-Pic and I went to the auction and met the entire Stanford team, plus the coaching staff.. I have to give them credit, they had just been given a tough loss, but they were all there, mingling, chatting, and signing.

It may have been a kind of informal meet-n-greet because of the benefit auction, but it kicked the stuffing out of any m-n-g the M's org had this year. At least the players and coaches stayed the entire time, and in fact were still there when we left.

The M's were well represented with sale articles, too.. Nicole's Stanford jersey, warmups, signed ball, the Sting 04 draft day jersey, and signed pics of her in both college and pro uniforms. Miss O's shooting shirt and practice jersey. A group of signed M's pics featuring Ruthie and Yo.

Oh yeah, I took pics, too. Here's one........

 

[Luv13fan]

Damn...

Ohhh Man...

I am sick! I can't believe we missed you guys. And I walked all around the arena. I talked to DWalk, Caren Horestmeyer (Ex-Cal Coach), briefly spoke to Kara Lawson.

I disagree with Stanford's inability to tap into the talent pool because of the academic requirements.
Stanford had a real shot at Kara Lawson but she wanted to go to Tennessee. Period. She wanted to play for Pat Summitt.

Even though Stanford is not my favorite program, it is a helluva place to play. The Booster support is enormous. The financial support is second to none. The campus is outstanding, and a Stanford Degree... Well enough said.
Also bear in mind that Stanford is a private insitution. So a relatively bright young woman B+ student with a wealth of talent can definately pass the admissions board. Also and this is my personal bias... Female athletes tend to be smarter on average thatn their male counterparts. Or at least take education more seriously.

I forgot what a social experience a Stanford game is. It was actually a great day on the Farm.

Note to the the Monarch Powers that be...

LilCrc is correct.
That is exactly how you run a Meet and Greet.
Pick a day where the players aren't pressed for time. Then actaully have the players meet and socialize with their supporters. ala STH=Boosters.

Doesn't have to be an auction, the players just have to be there and be engagaed.
Again just my 2 cents.
Some of my friends think I am asking too much for the M's to do that.
I just think it is good customer service. Perhaps the Monarchs brain trust should have a sit down with the Stanford brain trust.

 

[NothinButHoops]

Sounds like fun, sorry we missed it! The Monarch's MVP road trip is special if you can attend. The players mingle with the fans, have coffee & Desserts. Sign autographs, take photo's ect. I've been twice & it's always been a more personal time with the players, coaches,& Monarch staff.

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

The road trip to me continues to be their crowning glory achievement in terms of fan player interaction. So I know they have the capacity to "get it." The best local event was the meet and greet they did at William Land Park in June and that was the best access they've given to players in a long time beyond the obligatory autograph lines. They've had things that were more fun and interesting, but that one was just a "come out and chill" with us kinda thing which set a very good tone it turns out for the rest of the season. Luau problems not withstanding.

The M's to me don't suffer from a lack of creativity, and Leighton's women's basketball/sports pedigree certainly doesn't lack and understanding of how to make a connection between the fans and the players or why it is important. Goodness also knows we continually bombard them with ideas. Something else has to be at work. Is it the CBA?, the dual hats the front office staff wear? the WNBA travel and schedule in general? The budget?

I'm still wondering if the idea ever occurred to anybody at MS&E to charter a bus, charge people a few bucks (for a game ticket, RT transp. and maybe some snacks on the bus?) and haul us all down there for the Tennessee Stanford game since a lot of them travelled down for the game too?

I don't think I'm necessarily disagreeing on Stanford, I do think in some respects they do have a relatively equal shot at getting most blue-chippers. Although they lost out on Kara, Tara did steal Jen Azzi from Summitt's backyard back in the day - but I don't necessarily think every young woman who plays basketball with any level of advanced skill can get into and graduate from Stanford. I also agree that the women for the most part are more likely to value education at the jr high and high school level and be likely to have a higher GPA than their male counterparts but that doesn't mean they can make it through Stanford. I'm also not suggesting that's the only factor - it's probably one of many. But it's been a while since she's had a highly rated recruiting class and since she's had player who were bonafide All America candidates at the collegiate level.

 

[StevenHW]

I believe it was Kara's father who insisted her to go to Stanford. But Kara's own desire was to play for the Vols.

I can only wonder how the Cardinal would've fared in the 2003 NCAA Tournament if Kara did play for them, along with Nicole Powell.

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

I believe Kara (and her dad) had narrowed down her options of the schools recruiting her so Stanford was on the table for her at some point.

In 2003 the Cardinal might not have gotten knocked out of the sub-region it hosted if they had Lawson and Powell but they still would have lacked more quality pieces around the two of them to advance out of there to the Final Four over more athletic LSU and Texas. Tennessee probably still hits the Final Four that year without Lawson not sure they get past Duke - neither the Cardinal or the Vols beats that 03 UConn team that somehow won with Taurasi, a bunch of freshmen and some smoke and mirrors.

 

[lilcrc]

Here's some more pics from Tenn/Stanford- sorry it's taken me so long to post, but work this time of year........ugh. I hope you enjoy them.

The teams take the court

Zolman lets one fly

Mama Pat calls the play

Wiley-Gatewood flies to the hoop

 

[lilcrc]

Ok, a few more.... had to split them into two posts......

Parker works against Smith

Hornbuckle runs the show

Stanford team huddle

 

[Luv13fan]

Zolman....

Ahhh I can see it now...

With the 12th pick in the draft, (Hopefully we can move up in the Draft)
The Sacramento Monarchs Pick Shanna Zolman from the University of Tennessee....

And She is 5'10 which should make Mama Bristow happy.

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

If Zolman is available at our pick, I will faint and then pick myself up and go out and buy a lottery tickey. She certainly has been playing herself OUT of our pick range this season.

She and Lisa Willis out of UCLA (who I think would almost fit us better in a Monarch uni) are two of the bigger guards in this draft and I can't see them slipping down to us because I can't find players who would go ahead of them. Willis is 5'11'. This is the year of the REALLY undersized post player and I don't see a lot of them going early enough to knock Zolman or Willis down to us. But that doesn't stop me from making a Christmas list with her name at the top tho....

 

[NothinButHoops]

Nice pics...that was a fun game! Anyone up for the NCAA tourn. in March?
Lets plan another road trip!