I'm in my fourth year here at OU and you'd think that by now, I've seen it all. In all honesty, this has been a year of firsts for me. It's the first time I've been actively involved with something on campus (writing for the Post), the first time I’ve broken out of that typical commuter role (drive all the way out to school, go to classes and go directly home) and the first time I've ventured out into the world of journalism. Now, I can add another first to that list – the first time I've traveled with the OU hockey team. And oh what a first it's been!
Let me first start off by saying that I absolutely love these boys. For most of the season, I primarily dealt with coach Sean Hogan and his staff, but over the past few weeks I've gotten to know the team while we were working on the "Who's your Grizzly?" section for the paper. Afterwards, I sent Hogan an e-mail saying what a great group of guys he had and all that good stuff (which I hope he relayed to his team). Now I got to see the other side of his team. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Being the only girl on a bus full of guys has been – well, interesting, to say the least. I basically sit there in my seat and shake my head at all the funny/cheesy things they say. But like JP told me: on the bus, the guys can get away with saying anything because it's the only place where people won’t judge them. I'm still working on the not judging part.
I'm quickly learning what the "norm" is on hockey trips. When the hotel put me in a room with some of the guys, I was told it was the norm that the rooms get messed up. And when our bus driver backed into a tree in a parking lot while turning around, I found out that it's also the norm that something goes wrong with the bus.
I'm trying to break out of my habit of being freakishly early for everything. When I showed up downstairs for the bus yesterday 15 minutes before we were supposed to be down there and half the guys were still sleeping, I figured that it's okay to show up exactly on time. That seriously kills me. I’d rather be half an hour early than five minutes late, but I'm working on it.
Other than that, the trip's been fantastic. We got down here roughly five minutes before practice started and despite they looked like they had just gotten off the bus (which they did), I think they'll be okay today. The rink itself is kind of a joke, I'll try to get a few pictures before the game to post. The internet was down at the hotel, which was kind of a bummer, but it's up and running now. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't go down again. Oh yeah, and Corey from WXOU and I got kicked out of the coaches' meeting last night. The ACHA doesn't mess around. Thanks a lot Hogan (just kidding!).
Now we're just waiting to head out to the rink for Day 1 of the ACHA National Tournament. OU's first opponent is Lindenwood University, which is located near St. Louis. They watched our practice yesterday and will hopefully think it will be an easy win so we can catch them off guard. Here's what Hogan had to say about Lindenwood, which is considered a varsity sport (i.e. their school pays for everything. They even had their own skate sharpener at practice yesterday.)
"They will be big, fast and very disciplined in their systems. They practice every day, so they will be a very good team. That's the one disadvantage we have going into this tournament, we skate twice a week due to our budget and these teams will be on the ice every day preparing. We need to make the most out of our time on the ice and work hard. I think we have a very real shot at doing some big things in this tournament, we just have to have the right mind set. The talent is certainly here, we just need to make it work together. I’m excited about our chances (this) week."
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Mid-Con Pairings Anncounced for Men's Mid-Con Basketball Tournament
Oakland to take on WIU in first game
By Samantha Franz
Sports Editor
Break out the face paint, dig out the foam fingers, and start marking your brackets.
It's tournament time.
The Mid-Con tournament kicks off this Saturday and the Oakland University men's team is looking to make their second NCAA tournament in three years.
Here's where the rankings stack up:
1.) Oral Roberts
2.) Oakland
3.) Valparaiso
4.) IUPUI
5.) Southern Utah
6.) UMKC
7.) Western Illinois
8.) Centenary
Download your copy of the bracket here: http://www.mid-con.com/sports/mbball/champs/2007/07bracket.pdf
To read the official seeding announcement, check out the link at the official conference website at http://www.mid-con.com/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4548
By Samantha Franz
Sports Editor
Break out the face paint, dig out the foam fingers, and start marking your brackets.
It's tournament time.
The Mid-Con tournament kicks off this Saturday and the Oakland University men's team is looking to make their second NCAA tournament in three years.
Here's where the rankings stack up:
1.) Oral Roberts
2.) Oakland
3.) Valparaiso
4.) IUPUI
5.) Southern Utah
6.) UMKC
7.) Western Illinois
8.) Centenary
Download your copy of the bracket here: http://www.mid-con.com/sports/mbball/champs/2007/07bracket.pdf
To read the official seeding announcement, check out the link at the official conference website at http://www.mid-con.com/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4548
Unbelievable!
Oakland rallies past Golden Eagles in overtime
By Samantha Franz
Sports Editor
Last night's regular season closer taught those in attendance three very important lessons. One, it ain't over 'til it's over. Two, never count the odd man out. And three, clutch is spelled K-A-N-G-A-S.
With a fraction of a second remaining, sophomore Erik Kangas nailed two free throws to push the Golden Grizzlies over the edge in a 85-84 overtime showdown.
But let's rewind. This isn't one of those games that can be told with merely a box score.
Prior to tip-off, the rankings for the Mid-Con tournament were basically set. The visiting Oral Roberts Golden Eagles will be the number one seed going into next week's tournament and Oakland University will follow right behind in the number two slot.
So if anything, last night's game was a potential preview for what could be the March 6 championship game in Tulsa, Okla.
If that's the case, somebody better bring the smelling salts.
The first half of action saw four ties and five lead changes as neither team led the other by more than six points. Going into the locker rooms at the half, the Golden Grizzlies maintained a 39-36 lead.
The second half was just as much of a see-saw as the first, with five ties and seven lead changes.
Then, with 6:45 remaining, the Golden Eagles pulled away within 10 points, making the score 58-68. But seniors Vova Severovas and Shawn Hopes took their fate into their own hands and a series of aggressive drives to the basket by each brought Oakland within three.
But a three-second rally by ORU brought them back up within seven with four minutes to go in regulation. This time, it was senior Rick Billings who donned the proverbial Superman cape and pulled the Golden Grizzlies out of the hole. Billings scored five of the last eight OU points, including 4-5 free throw shooting, to send the Golden Grizzlies into overtime.
Freshman Johnathon Jones got things started in the extra minutes with a 3-pointer and Kangas floated a jump shot to give the Grizzlies an early five point lead.
With the setting in the arena, one would have never thought this was a regular season game. The cheers from both sides were deafening and to say the least, the pep band played every song in their repertoire with more power than ever, and those sitting court side could feel the vibrations from Head Coach Greg Kampe stomping his feet and jumping with an unbridled passion.
The game went back and forth within one point of each other before a free throw by Ken Tutt put Oral Roberts ahead by two points.
Kangas fired back with his fifth 3-pointer of the night with 15 seconds remaining, making the score 83-82, and it appeared that Oakland was going to win on that shot.
Then, the unthinkable happened. As the buzzer rang out, signaling the end of the contest, ORU junior Yemi Ogunoye sank the basket for the lay up. But would the shot count?
After the play was reviewed by the officials, the life was sucked out of the arena as the scoreboard added two points to the Oral Roberts side, 83-84. Yes, the shot counted and .4 seconds would be added to the game clock.
With so little time left, the Golden Grizzly fans lost their valor and some reporters were even starting to pack up their things and make their way toward the media room for post-game. In their eyes, this game was over.
Well, you know how the say, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings? Well, the fat lady wasn't even close to hitting her high note.
After calling a timeout, all Oral Roberts had to do was throw the ball inbounds and hold onto it until the clock expired. But the Golden Eagles weren't counting on one final trick Kampe had up his sleeve. In his 23 years as an Oakland coach, he knew just the plan for this sort of situation.
By Samantha Franz
Sports Editor
Last night's regular season closer taught those in attendance three very important lessons. One, it ain't over 'til it's over. Two, never count the odd man out. And three, clutch is spelled K-A-N-G-A-S.
With a fraction of a second remaining, sophomore Erik Kangas nailed two free throws to push the Golden Grizzlies over the edge in a 85-84 overtime showdown.
But let's rewind. This isn't one of those games that can be told with merely a box score.
Prior to tip-off, the rankings for the Mid-Con tournament were basically set. The visiting Oral Roberts Golden Eagles will be the number one seed going into next week's tournament and Oakland University will follow right behind in the number two slot.
So if anything, last night's game was a potential preview for what could be the March 6 championship game in Tulsa, Okla.
If that's the case, somebody better bring the smelling salts.
The first half of action saw four ties and five lead changes as neither team led the other by more than six points. Going into the locker rooms at the half, the Golden Grizzlies maintained a 39-36 lead.
The second half was just as much of a see-saw as the first, with five ties and seven lead changes.
Then, with 6:45 remaining, the Golden Eagles pulled away within 10 points, making the score 58-68. But seniors Vova Severovas and Shawn Hopes took their fate into their own hands and a series of aggressive drives to the basket by each brought Oakland within three.
But a three-second rally by ORU brought them back up within seven with four minutes to go in regulation. This time, it was senior Rick Billings who donned the proverbial Superman cape and pulled the Golden Grizzlies out of the hole. Billings scored five of the last eight OU points, including 4-5 free throw shooting, to send the Golden Grizzlies into overtime.
Freshman Johnathon Jones got things started in the extra minutes with a 3-pointer and Kangas floated a jump shot to give the Grizzlies an early five point lead.
With the setting in the arena, one would have never thought this was a regular season game. The cheers from both sides were deafening and to say the least, the pep band played every song in their repertoire with more power than ever, and those sitting court side could feel the vibrations from Head Coach Greg Kampe stomping his feet and jumping with an unbridled passion.
The game went back and forth within one point of each other before a free throw by Ken Tutt put Oral Roberts ahead by two points.
Kangas fired back with his fifth 3-pointer of the night with 15 seconds remaining, making the score 83-82, and it appeared that Oakland was going to win on that shot.
Then, the unthinkable happened. As the buzzer rang out, signaling the end of the contest, ORU junior Yemi Ogunoye sank the basket for the lay up. But would the shot count?
After the play was reviewed by the officials, the life was sucked out of the arena as the scoreboard added two points to the Oral Roberts side, 83-84. Yes, the shot counted and .4 seconds would be added to the game clock.
With so little time left, the Golden Grizzly fans lost their valor and some reporters were even starting to pack up their things and make their way toward the media room for post-game. In their eyes, this game was over.
Well, you know how the say, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings? Well, the fat lady wasn't even close to hitting her high note.
After calling a timeout, all Oral Roberts had to do was throw the ball inbounds and hold onto it until the clock expired. But the Golden Eagles weren't counting on one final trick Kampe had up his sleeve. In his 23 years as an Oakland coach, he knew just the plan for this sort of situation.
As Shawn King moved to get open, Kangas planted his feet and allowed all 210 pounds of the ORU center to plow him into the hardwood. The whistle blew and the OU crowd erupted as the official called an offensive foul on King.
This brought Kangas to the free throw line, where he sank two free throws with ease. Kampe threw his hands up into the air as time expired and the Golden Grizzlies walked away with the victory.
To quote Frank Barone, "Holy crap!"
The OU fans rushed to the court to celebrate with their beloved team and Kampe took the microphone to thank the crowd for their support throughout the season.
The scene was crafted to perfection. Not even Spielberg could have written one this good.
In their final game at the O'Rena, all three seniors put up great numbers. Severovas led the Golden Grizzlies with 20 points, and Hopes and Billings had 14 apiece.
Kangas finished with 19, including five 3-pointers, and sophomore Derick Nelson rounded out the top scoring with 13 points.
Now that the regular season is in the books, the 17-13 Golden Grizzlies can put their eyes on the true prize. The Mid-Con Championship begins on March 3 where Oakland will take on Western Illinois, with whom OU split the series this season.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Q & A with hockey head coach Sean Hogan
I took this from an interview I did with Hogan a few weeks ago, but I thought it fit nicely with the upcoming ACHA National Championship Tournament.
How rewarding was it for you, as a first-year head coach, to take your team all the way to Nationals and win?
Well, I knew we had a talented team. I was kind of nervous though. In some ways, not winning the National Championship the year before took the pressure off of me. If we would have won it two years in a row and then I came in, it would have been a little rough. But I knew we were going to be all right. We had a great season, it was just a matter of getting it done when it counted. We had a really great core group of guys from the seasons we were really successful. We had a lot of really hard workers and really good hockey players. I don't want to say I never had any doubts, but I just had that feeling that we were going to win it all. It was a big relief when we did.
How high do you have your expectations set this season?
You know what? I feel the same way though. I feel that even though we're not as successful as I hoped we would be in the regular season, in the National Tournament, anything can happen on any given day. For some reason, this team has always played our best hockey in the National Tournament. I have no idea why, but it's a good thing. We always play our best when it comes down to it, when it means the most.
What was the transition like from Division 2 to Division 1?
It was a lot harder than I thought. When we were Division 2 and we won two National Championships, I thought we'd be a Top 4 team in Division 1. And a lot of Division 2 teams think that. That's just not the case. I'm not saying we're not talented enough, but when it comes to what the Division 1 schools have to offer players compared to what we have, it's a lot different. There's a lot of teams in Division 1 that have their own rinks. We have to pay for our ice time and a couple nights a week is all we can afford. So when you're on the ice every day like those guys are and you're in the workout room every day, you better be better than us. That being said, the fact that we do as well as we do, you can attribute it to our guys. They work hard with what we have to offer. But it's a lot bigger step than I thought it would be.
How do you think the team is living up to your expectations?
I knew we were going to be a Top 16 team. I think we're going to be in the National Tournament, and that's what our goal was, at least be able to compete for the National Championship.
How rewarding was it for you, as a first-year head coach, to take your team all the way to Nationals and win?
Well, I knew we had a talented team. I was kind of nervous though. In some ways, not winning the National Championship the year before took the pressure off of me. If we would have won it two years in a row and then I came in, it would have been a little rough. But I knew we were going to be all right. We had a great season, it was just a matter of getting it done when it counted. We had a really great core group of guys from the seasons we were really successful. We had a lot of really hard workers and really good hockey players. I don't want to say I never had any doubts, but I just had that feeling that we were going to win it all. It was a big relief when we did.
How high do you have your expectations set this season?
You know what? I feel the same way though. I feel that even though we're not as successful as I hoped we would be in the regular season, in the National Tournament, anything can happen on any given day. For some reason, this team has always played our best hockey in the National Tournament. I have no idea why, but it's a good thing. We always play our best when it comes down to it, when it means the most.
What was the transition like from Division 2 to Division 1?
It was a lot harder than I thought. When we were Division 2 and we won two National Championships, I thought we'd be a Top 4 team in Division 1. And a lot of Division 2 teams think that. That's just not the case. I'm not saying we're not talented enough, but when it comes to what the Division 1 schools have to offer players compared to what we have, it's a lot different. There's a lot of teams in Division 1 that have their own rinks. We have to pay for our ice time and a couple nights a week is all we can afford. So when you're on the ice every day like those guys are and you're in the workout room every day, you better be better than us. That being said, the fact that we do as well as we do, you can attribute it to our guys. They work hard with what we have to offer. But it's a lot bigger step than I thought it would be.
How do you think the team is living up to your expectations?
I knew we were going to be a Top 16 team. I think we're going to be in the National Tournament, and that's what our goal was, at least be able to compete for the National Championship.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Hey you!
Why haven’t you been to an OU game yet?
By Samantha Franz
Sports Editor
It’s a Michigan winter at its finest. Temperatures have dropped well below double digits, making the commute from anywhere on campus, even the mere feet from the OC to South Foundation Hall, an epic journey.
Want a suggestion of how to warm up your sub-zero February? Put down that over-priced latte and thaw out in the O’Rena for a few hours.
Oakland University basketball has entered the final portion of the regular season, and the Golden Grizzlies have come out swinging. At press time, the men’s team is locked in dead heat battle for first place honors in the Mid-Con conference with Oral Roberts, sparking a rivalry with potential to become as fierce as the Bulls and Pistons of the early 90s. Riding even higher are the OU women’s team, whose seven game win-streak has propelled them to the top of the Mid-Con leader board.
Up until you read that last paragraph, were you even aware of that?
Since that cold winter day in 1986 when I came into this world, I’ve been a sports fan. Some parents will play classical music while pregnant, in hopes their baby will become the next Mozart. Others will read to their unborn child every night, so they will graduate at the top of their class.
My parents like to joke that when my mom was in the hospital waiting to bring me into the world, the fifth seeded Michigan State Spartans were on television during March Madness, thus introducing me to one of my favorite things in my life: sports.
And as a pure-blooded sports fan, there is nothing more painful to see than a bandwagon fan. We all know at least one in our lives. The girl in your Modern Literature class, who up until September 2006, could not name a single player on the Detroit Tigers roster. Or your brother, who suddenly likes Ohio State football for no other reason than, “every one else is cheering for them.”
Even at OU we are guilty of it. When the men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA tournament in 2005, many students weren’t even aware that we had won the Mid-Con tournament.
The same story came up in last year, when it was the women’s team’s turn to put on their dancing shoes. When OU held a celebration for when the Golden Grizzlies anxiously found out who they would be playing the first round of play, the room was full of media, family, and the pep band. Members of the OU student body were scarce.
It seems unless there is a national TV camera to capture the action, there is no cause to get excited about Oakland University.
Well, I say jump on the bus now, because things around the O’Rena haven’t been this exciting in a while. Don’t wait until March to cheer for the Golden Grizzlies. There are eight home games left for the men’s and women’s teams. What are you waiting for?
Merely a sophomore, Jessica Pike is having a career season for OU and is a major factor in why they are sitting pretty at the number one spot. Likewise, the men’s team has come off a non-conference schedule that would have broken the spirits of some teams…but not this one. Records have been matched and broken for this men’s team. Erik Kangas is ranked tenth in the nation with a 48.6 three-point percentage, and 11th in three-pointers per game, with 3.3.
This Saturday, Feb. 10, Fox Sports Detroit will broadcast the men’s basketball game against Valparaiso, the last time they will play them in a regular conference season before the Crusaders switch conferences. Who will win the final smackdown? Come out and find out for yourself, live. Go nuts for the FSN cameras, try to get the attention of Mario Impemba and Greg Kelser, and most importantly, get your Grizz on.
That way, when March Madness time rolls around, you can smile and shake your head at the students who are suddenly crazy about OU basketball.
You knew about NCAA basketball’s best kept secret way before they did.
By Samantha Franz
Sports Editor
It’s a Michigan winter at its finest. Temperatures have dropped well below double digits, making the commute from anywhere on campus, even the mere feet from the OC to South Foundation Hall, an epic journey.
Want a suggestion of how to warm up your sub-zero February? Put down that over-priced latte and thaw out in the O’Rena for a few hours.
Oakland University basketball has entered the final portion of the regular season, and the Golden Grizzlies have come out swinging. At press time, the men’s team is locked in dead heat battle for first place honors in the Mid-Con conference with Oral Roberts, sparking a rivalry with potential to become as fierce as the Bulls and Pistons of the early 90s. Riding even higher are the OU women’s team, whose seven game win-streak has propelled them to the top of the Mid-Con leader board.
Up until you read that last paragraph, were you even aware of that?
Since that cold winter day in 1986 when I came into this world, I’ve been a sports fan. Some parents will play classical music while pregnant, in hopes their baby will become the next Mozart. Others will read to their unborn child every night, so they will graduate at the top of their class.
My parents like to joke that when my mom was in the hospital waiting to bring me into the world, the fifth seeded Michigan State Spartans were on television during March Madness, thus introducing me to one of my favorite things in my life: sports.
And as a pure-blooded sports fan, there is nothing more painful to see than a bandwagon fan. We all know at least one in our lives. The girl in your Modern Literature class, who up until September 2006, could not name a single player on the Detroit Tigers roster. Or your brother, who suddenly likes Ohio State football for no other reason than, “every one else is cheering for them.”
Even at OU we are guilty of it. When the men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA tournament in 2005, many students weren’t even aware that we had won the Mid-Con tournament.
The same story came up in last year, when it was the women’s team’s turn to put on their dancing shoes. When OU held a celebration for when the Golden Grizzlies anxiously found out who they would be playing the first round of play, the room was full of media, family, and the pep band. Members of the OU student body were scarce.
It seems unless there is a national TV camera to capture the action, there is no cause to get excited about Oakland University.
Well, I say jump on the bus now, because things around the O’Rena haven’t been this exciting in a while. Don’t wait until March to cheer for the Golden Grizzlies. There are eight home games left for the men’s and women’s teams. What are you waiting for?
Merely a sophomore, Jessica Pike is having a career season for OU and is a major factor in why they are sitting pretty at the number one spot. Likewise, the men’s team has come off a non-conference schedule that would have broken the spirits of some teams…but not this one. Records have been matched and broken for this men’s team. Erik Kangas is ranked tenth in the nation with a 48.6 three-point percentage, and 11th in three-pointers per game, with 3.3.
This Saturday, Feb. 10, Fox Sports Detroit will broadcast the men’s basketball game against Valparaiso, the last time they will play them in a regular conference season before the Crusaders switch conferences. Who will win the final smackdown? Come out and find out for yourself, live. Go nuts for the FSN cameras, try to get the attention of Mario Impemba and Greg Kelser, and most importantly, get your Grizz on.
That way, when March Madness time rolls around, you can smile and shake your head at the students who are suddenly crazy about OU basketball.
You knew about NCAA basketball’s best kept secret way before they did.
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