They called it “Celebrating the Champions.”
The National champion Emporia State Lady Hornets sat in front of a crowd of 1,100 on Tuesday night at White Auditorium, and ESU president Michael Lane, student body president Jonathan Krueger, mayor Jeff Longbine, athletic director Kent Weiser, coach Brandon Schneider and senior guard Lacy Corker all delivered heartfelt speeches.
Every speech focused on the magical run the Lady Hornets went on, but they also all acknowledged the people in the stands, and to me, this night was a celebration of the champion supporters.
“This is as much about us showing our appreciation toward our administration and our fans and all the different people that give us the opportunity and give us the chance to have success,” Schneider said.
I’m doubtful many Division II schools could have a ceremony similar to what took place Tuesday night. There’s a lot of empty gyms during basketball season across the country, and there are a lot of communities that do not care.
Schneider, as he said in his speech, has the fortune of telling recruits that every home game they will have the privilege of playing in front of 3,000 to 4,000 fans, a group he called the best in the country on Tuesday night.
“I’m so fortunate to coach at a university that wants a women’s basketball program,” Schneider said. “A lot of universities have women’s basketball, they sponsor women’s basketball, but this university wants a women’s basketball program.”
The Emporia community does a great job of embracing the Lady Hornets, and that was obvious when the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo., turned into White Auditorium North.
But what has disappointed me in the two years that I’ve covered the team has been the student support. Some students are regulars at the game, including many fellow student-athletes who showed up again Tuesday night, and they should be commended for that. However, many students waited until the team was on the brink of winning a National championship to show their support.
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Corkysboy (anonymous) says...
I hear ya on the support of the students thing. As a diehard ESU student it was rather disappointing to see so many students show up to a game only when they had a chance to be on national TV. For my friends and I who support so many ESU Athletic events it was especially frustrating.
March 31, 2010 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
It can be frustrating being an athletic supporter.
March 31, 2010 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )