WBB Memories

[oldfox]

The Brian Giorgis Era is entering its final year. Inspired by a private group message from Hoopsfan I though it appropriate to start a thread in which posters can share a memory or story related to Marist Women’s Basketball. So let’s get started with the post that inspired this thread from Hoopsfan.

“ Not really on topic but i was talking to my wife lastt weekend and she asked me if i missed going to the WBB games. We started going about 14 years ago, i harbored delusions of my daughter running out in her Marist uniform. Well that never happened , but we did get to watch alot of really exciting basketball , enjoy meeting and talking to many very bright, personable young women. I also got to share some fun times with my daughter! She made valentines cards for each of the players one year, had a bit of a crush on shooter when she was little, whoever was in that suit was so very generous to her! During one game she disappeared, i was frantic , until i spotted her in the huddle during a time out, i lifted her out and asked what she was doing? She said she wanted to know what they were talking about. My daughter also realized , early on, that this was one place you could yell your head off (at the right times) and not get in trouble. Anyway, we enjoyed the experience, and have many wonderful memories. With the Coach stepping down , at the end of this season, i just wanted to say thank you so much for the wonderful memories, the great teams and everything else that made going to those games a great time!! Good luck this season, and thank you!!”

[hoopsfan]

Thank you for posting my comments!

[tg28]

I was going to wait until some others chimed in, but since nobody seems to have any memories, I guess I'll add a couple. Obviously, I have a ton of great memories not only from the time my daughter played, but even afterwards. The one I will start with takes place on an airport rental car shuttle on the way from the rental car lot to the San Francisco airport after dropping my wife and daughters off at the airport, sitting across the aisle from Nikki Flores's mom, and she just looked at me, shook her head and said: "I can't believe we're in the Sweet 16!" Good times.

[justafan]

There are so many great memories, many of them at home games, where some amazing young women made equally amazing plays to win big games.
But I must say that, just as precious to me are all the brief conversations I've had with such a classy group of young women, mostly in the Red Fox Den after games, but also at other venues. It's always been so clear that Brian meant it when he said "we recruit the person first, then the player".
What a legacy.

[homebody]

My wife and I started to watch the women with the previous coach. We and about 400 other fans cheered for them. I was happy that Brian was chosen and waited to see what he could do at this level. I guess he showed us. I loved they way his teams were together as one team. They supported each other and created a great image. I hope his last year brings that mindset back and the women form a TEAM.

[tg28]

We moved to Myrtle Beach, SC in January of 2010, and were pleased that in 2011, the ladies were sent to Durham, NC for the first round of the NCAA tournament vs. Iowa State. We made the trip up to Duke University and watched the last class that had played with our daughter defeat the Cyclones. We also had the pleasure of reuniting with Kristin Keller, who had been our daughter's mentor during her freshman year, as she also attended the game with her kids. Afterward, many of the girls who were freshmen during our girl's senior year came up and gave wheelchair bound Mama Smerd big hugs, especially Maria Laterza, who absolutely adored my better half. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay for the 2nd round game against Duke, as Ann had to get back to the beach for her dialysis treatment, but we did watch on TV, as only a sprained ankle probably prevented a second trip to the Sweet 16 for the Foxes.

OOPS! Forgot to mention, that is also where I met nomar33 in person for the first time. Sorry about that buddy! LOL

[tlippy15]

Laterza was one of the best. ESPECIALLY during THE Duke game. She was a badass repping Marist and we've been missing that recently. There hasn't been a player that had that swag/mentality other than Dulin.

[shooter]

The Marist official site has just debuted a neat feature series on memorable Giorgis wins. Part 1 is his first win 20 years ago this month. Check it out.