 |
|
|
 |
VikingsFrontTest.bm)
From the Mind of the Manager: Dave Amata's Thoughts On Winning The Horizon League Championship
Before I start please let me start by thanking God for Without Him none of this would be possible.
A short fat kid that could not make his varsity basketball team in high school is really going to be apart of March Madness….That’s what I was thinking as the final seconds ticked away. I could not see the ball, only the rim and the clock. 3, 2, 1 and we’re off onto the court looking for anyone to hug.
It was an amazing feeling. I was not sure whether to cry, laugh, or get on my knees and thank God. The answer came quickly as I found myself getting hugged by anyone and everyone part of the team. It was a dream come true.
We have an amazing group of people from the players to the coaches to the support staff and we are all extremely close. That made this moment more incredible. I can not remember much right after we won, it was all too fast, turning from person to person hugging anyone and everyone in green. I only wish it had been at home so EVERYONE could have been apart of this.
As the chaos died down, my first memory was my search for my girlfriend. Along the way I found Coach Gee and just thanked him for coming and being apart of this. As I turned from his there she was and my one and only tear on the court was shed. She has been amazing throughout and deserves half of any bit of credit I get for being apart of this. The other half goes to my amazing parents who have allowed me to chase this dream with undying support and love
Kevin Sapara our GA had joked that he wanted to win most just to see me cry like crazy in front of everyone. He wouldn’t get his wish but I really do not think he was too disappointed.
For J’Nathan, Renard, Eddie Benion (our team trainer), Brian McCann (SID) and I it was a remarkable four year stretch. To be apart of two nine win teams the first two years and to make the tournament in the last year is something no one could have imagined.
There are not words to explain what these coaches have meant to the program. Each one individually and collectively has provided so much in the way of leadership, guidance and inspiration that they all deserve more credit than can humanly be given to them. To me personally they have each been mentors and hopefully someday I can repay them by doing the same for another wherever my life takes me.
Ok back to the night….Sorry I’m a mental drifter.
I got the t-shirts and hats and passed them out. What a feeling to put the champion gear on and throw up the index finger. What an unbelievable feeling. I wish I had some gear for many of the fans on this board. I read it near daily and to know there are people out there who share a similar passion for Cleveland State makes it all better. Especially to Ryan, Tommy and Dr. Kleidmann wish you guys could have been there. You are as much apart of this as anyone.
Side note: To anyone who writes on here and will be there Sunday please come up and introduce yourself to me. I may already know you and just not know your screen name on here or whatever the case may be but I love talking about the team especially with knowledgeable fans. For those of you who do not know me I’m the balding fat guy at the end of the bench every game or more famously….the guy in the blue shirt hugging Cedric after his 65 footer at ‘Cuse.
I found J’Nathan and thanked him for keeping me around. I had considered moving on after last year to help a friend of mine who had just gotten his first high school job. J’Nathan told me this year was going to be special and I needed to be apart of it. Thank you Nate….I would not be DANCING without it.
I found each of our players individually thanking and congratulating them all for their work this year. Each player got their trophy, Norris and Cedric got the credit they deserved for an amazing tournament and it was time to hoist the big two. Watching coach hold the trophy and then the guys passing it around was surreal. Was this all really happening, was I about to wake up and realize it was game day?
As I sneaked into the last of the pictures it was time to GET THE NETS. Everyone had their part of the celebration they wanted to make sure they did and this was mine. It started off less than stellar when Jeremy Montgomery and I went for a chest bump and I ended up on my back in front of the whole team and the fans that stayed to partake in the celebration.
Watching each player take their steps up the ladder to grab their piece of history was a proud moment. These guys all mean so much to me and will be my friends for life. I was especially happy for our five seniors. One last chance and they realized their dream. You all know they deserve it as basketball players but these guys are all amazing people. They deserve it for that more than anything.
I finally made my way up the ladder to take a piece of the second net…Again time to cry but no tears to be found. After I got my net it was back to hand shaking, pictures and hugging. I made sure to thank anyone who was willing to listen for either being there to support us or allowing me to be part of the program. I would have stayed on the court all night if they would have let me. I did not want the moment to end.
To anyone who attended the game I would like to thank you for making the effort to be apart of the moment. I do not say this to take away from any who were kept away due to work, school, family or any other of the million reasons why it would be impossible to come. However, as I watched the game today for the first time it amazed me how loud and crazy our fans were. They too brought their “A” game Tuesday.
The fan bus departed, I loaded our bus with the gear and made my way to the locker room. I was pretty sure I would finally cry now. I looked in and said “Thank you” to everyone but again no tears to be found. We filed out and headed back to the hotel.
After a little “roll call” and joking around we made it into the hotel. I have no clue who started it or why but as we hit the parking lot the bus was filled with “We Are The Champions”. While it would have disappointed Queen to hear us ruin their song, it was one of those moments that gives you chills.
I talked about my tears a lot and some of you may wonder why. I believe Coach Valvano when he said one of the three essential parts of a day is to be moved to tears. This was supposed to be an easy day, a day when the crying would take care of itself but it didn’t.
When that moment comes you will have another blog. I am hopeful that I will be able to write frequently throughout this experience, to share this with all of you and for myself as well. My blogs of Spain give me memories I would otherwise have already forgotten.
I hope you all come Sunday and enjoy seeing Cleveland State displayed as much as I do. Just walking around campus and downtown the energy and support the win has created is incredible. Every time I see a random CSU shirt or hat I quietly smile. It sure is a proud day to be a VIKING.
I would encourage you to share our story with friends, co-workers and anyone else willing to listen. The support of fans will only carry this program to bigger and brighter heights. The city has long desired to embrace a winner well….you have it Cleveland now repay those involved by coming to the Wolstein Center, tearing down that curtain and making it truly one of the toughest places to play in the country!
PS-As I read this it’s a bit scatterbrained and not as well detailed as I would like. Thanks for reading through my drivel.
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
The Fan Home of the Cleveland State Vikings
|
| |
| |
|
Get a FREE Web Site Powered by LeagueLineup.com
LeagueLineup can also be used for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Fantasy Leagues, Games (Xbox, etc.) and more.
|
|
|
Administration Login
|
| | |
| | |
|
