Army West Point Athletics
Friday, Feb. 5 - TGIF
February 05, 2010 | General
TGIF everyone! I hope you're as excited as I am that today is Friday. Tracy Nelson with you for my first blog since we introduced this new format. How are you guys liking it? Easier to read? I find it much more aesthetically pleasing, not to mention how much easier it is to post.
Although most weekends in this profession require work, it's usually what I consider the "fun stuff." It's what we work all week preparing for - competition. Although we aren't the ones actually competing, you get to know these players and want nothing more than to see them succeed on the court/field/track what have you.
This weekend its' my turn to shuffle off to Hamilton, N.Y., with the women's basketball team as the Black Knights usher in the second half of Patriot League play against Colgate on Saturday afternoon. Army is 3-4 in league play thus far and finds itself in a tie with Bucknell and Navy for third in the conference standings. As of right now, American (7-0) and Lehigh (6-1) are the clear frontrunners. They meet on Saturday as well as Lehigh will look to not only hand American its first league loss but also extend its home win streak to 30 games. That's right folks, they haven't lost in Stabler Arena since there since the 2007-08 season. I like to think that the atmosphere in Christl Arena is much better than that in Stabler. Maybe it's the stellar pre-game food that gets the Mountain Hawks going (Lehigh is the consensus top food venue around the league for my colleagues). Regardless of appetizers, should be a great match-up and I'm anxious to see the outcome.
Moving on to Colgate, Army has lost four of its last five games and is in a bit of a crucial stretch heading up to the cozy, blustery little town. While the rest middle of the east coast is getting blasted with snow - causing many postponements and cancellations of Army-Navy events (see list below) - I just might see green grass in Hamilton for the first time in five years. I'll let you know next week ...
Before I completely depart the hoops talk, I have to give kudos to junior F Erin Anthony for becoming the first Army women's basketball player to garner CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors yesterday. She will now move on to the national ballot with a chance to be named an Academic All-American later this month. Anthony was joined by big-named players such as national player of the Year Maya Moore of UConn and Marist star Rachele Fitz. Congrats Erin on a very well-deserved honor! She's such a smartie pants with her 3.78 GPA to go along with averaging a double-double. Her parents seriously did something right ...
While the temperatures are dipping and apparently we're in for six more weeks of winter (thanks a lot Punxatawny Phil - what good are you?), I have a full day of working on the Army softball guide ahead of me. It'll certainly get me thinking spring! Our very own Mady Salvani covers softball and I'm just her little helper when it comes to the guide. Maybe if I do an exceptionally great job, she'll let me take her place on the team's spring break trip to Florida in a few weeks!? I could use some fun in the sun ... then again, what northerner couldn't?
Before I leave you today, as promised, here's a look at this weekend's shake-ups due to the weather (which once again just reiterates my distaste for snow - other than enjoying a white Christmas):
Impending Snowstorm Forces Cancellation of Army-Navy Gymnastics Meet
Army-Navy Track & Field Star Meet Postponed
Wrestling Team Not Competing At Academy Championships
Army-Navy Rifle Match Postponed To Monday
.... And I'm off. Army softball guide, trip to Colgate and working the men's hoops game vs. Colgate at home on Super Bowl Sunday. If you can't make it to the men's game, you can catch them live on CBS College Sports Network. Busy weekend ahead for sure, but it's alright because it's the "fun stuff" - as long as we WIN! Enjoy the Super Bowl everyone. Go Saints, Go Colts! Who cares really. Just enjoy great party food and funny commercials.
