Army West Point Athletics
Friday, May 14 - As Good As It Gets
May 14, 2010 | General
Good morning Army blog readers! TGIF to all of you! Tracy Nelson at the keys today and I must say, it seems like it's been forever since my last entry. Perhaps that's because I missed my turn on Cinco de Mayo last week and my sincerest apologies for doing so. No, it was not a case of too many margaritas. In fact, it was simply a case of too many things to do and not enough hours to do them! That being said, there's plenty to catch you all up on in today's blog ...
First things first - you are probably all aware that the Army lacrosse team will make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005 on Sunday night at two-time defending champion Syracuse. The game will be televised live on ESPNU, so tune in to watch the Black Knights (hopefully) shock the heck out of the Orange! Although I do not handle lacrosse as one of my sports here, I am partial to them because I've grown to be great friends with a few members of the staff - most notably Mike Murphy - or aka just Murph around here. You can catch up with coach Murph through his own weekly blogs by clicking here. He's done a great job and they've become wildly popular from what I hear!
It's hard to imagine having a better couple of weeks than what Murph has had. His wife, Jen (who is an athletic trainer her at West Point), and I are road roommates during women's basketball season. We've spent three years together and I couldn't ask for a better friend around here! Just before basketball season got started this year, Jen showed me a sonogram picture and announced to me that she was pregnant! I'm not an overly emotional person, but I was so excited for her and Murphy that I actually shed a tear (a very rare occurrence for me). During the season, the team and staff watch Jen grow and got more and more excited for the baby boy's arrival. Well, that day came about five weeks early when I got a call from Jen yesterday saying she and Murph were on their way to the hospital! Collin Joseph Murphy entered the world this morning at 2:23 a.m. Weighing in at a whopping 6 pounds, 10 ounces, it'll only be a matter of time until this kid is running around with a lacrosse stick in his hand. Congratulations to Jen and Mike! I secretly think Collin joined the party a little early simply so he could watch his daddy BEAT THE ORANGE on Sunday night!
Speaking of the postseason, it's been a great spring around here if you haven't noticed. Not only did lacrosse enjoy a remarkable run to the Patriot League title a couple weekends ago, women's tennis, also punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a sixth-straight league title. The Black Knights are set to play #7 UCLA today at 4 p.m. Click here for live match updates. Senior co-captain Paige Ford is also penning an online diary for the tournament. Click here to read her first entry from the team's arrival in Los Angeles.
The Army softball team is looking to rebound from a tough 3-1 loss to Colgate yesterday in the Black Knights' first game of the Patriot League Tournament. It's a double-elimination event, so it's do or die against defending champion Lehigh today at the Army Softball Complex. Although, rain has decided to spoil the day a bit and the game times are likely to be adjusted. Stay tuned to www.goARMYsports.com for more. Also, there was a nice read in yesterday's Times-Herald Record on first-year head coach Michelle DePolo. Click here to read the feature by Ken McMillan.
The Army baseball team also gets the postseason underway this weekend, hosting Bucknell for a best-of-three semifinal series. The top seed Black Knights have clinched hosting rights as long as they stay alive for the tournament. Stay tuned as head coach Joe Sottolano and his club start their defense of the Patriot League title.
In addition to all of that, this Sunday will be the third annual Black Knight Awards here at West Point. The night celebrates a year of success in Army Athletics, taking on an ESPY Awards feel. The entire show, which begins on Sunday at 7:30 p.m., will be broadcast FREE on ITT Knight Vision. Click here for more details.
Well, it's back to the grind as we move closer and closer to summer. Have a great weekend all. GO ARMY! BEAT EVERYONE!
