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But, as for me personally, I don't like them. As a player,
all it meant was that I couldn't play anymore. And believe me, I was
ahead of my time in the realization of what it all meant. Not just
on the court but off it as well. I knew the great gig we had going
in college -- no one to make you go to bed or to make sure you got
up in the morning, a cafeteria full of food that you didn't have to
fix, no responsibilities and no worries. Are you kidding me? What a
country!
I hope someday I get to meet the guy (it has to be a guy -- a
woman would have invented something much more efficient and
productive) who invented the whole college experience… What a genius
that guy was!
I was so enthralled with the whole experience that I transferred
schools to get in another year of paradise. I haven't done many
smart things in my career, but that was utter genius! I was in no
hurry to get out into the "real" world… and now that I'm here, I'm
searching for four more years of eligibility somewhere (I wonder if
a guy could change his name and get some more playing time that
way)?
I knew that the words Dan Akroyd spoke to Bill Murray in the
classic movie "Ghostbusters" were true long before he said them:
"This is terrible getting kicked off the college campus. I've worked
in the private sector before and… those people expect results!"
Truer words were never spoken.
As a coach, it's a disconcerting matter as well.
There are some players that you wish you could say goodbye to
immediately after their freshman seasons… so, by the time senior
night rolls around, you're more than ready to give them a parting
gift and send them on their way. Then there are the players that you
wish would never leave. Those are the guys that make you look like a
coaching genius. They actually come to practice every day to get
better. They work out during the offseason and actually improve each
year. You wish they could stay for 12 years (I think some of
Purdue's former players DID stay that long) or even longer. Then
your wife or the fans in the stands are looking to see if you're
gonna cry and break down. It's an emotional tempest that, frankly…
Who needs it?
As I've gotten older, it's actually gotten worse. People laugh
when I say this, but I really miss playing much more than I miss
coaching. For those of you who don't know, hanging up your college
gear for the last time is among the toughest things an athlete will
ever have to deal with. It is like a death experience, and you truly
mourn about it for years. As you can tell, I'm not sure I have even
experienced closure yet to this day, and I'm 28 years removed from
my last day on the court.
So as I sat in the Hall last night reflecting on this year's
seniors, this incredible season and what it all means, a mood of
depression engulfed me. I don't want to say goodbye to this year's
seniors. And how would you say goodbye anyway?
How do you say goodbye to Fred Nkemdi? This kid made the team as
a walk-on and is paying his own way to put in 20 hours a week of
getting beat on every day in practice.
How do you say goodbye to Jack Ingram (BTW, perhaps the nicest
kid I have ever interviewed)? I mean how we got him, I'm STILL
trying to figure out. He signs with Self to play for Tulsa. Self
comes to Illinois and Ingram decides to follow him. What a series of
fortunate events for the Illini. You talk about a guy who is great
for team chemistry. All this kid wants to do is win. He practices
like a wild madman and makes everyone around him better. He stepped
up at the end of last year and helped us go on a tremendous run.
This year he hits two BIG 3s at Wisky, and we probably lose if he
doesn't hit 'em. I'm just not ready to see him go.
[to top of second column in this article] |
Senior Nick "Chainsaw" Smith and his parents say
goodbye to the Illini faithful.
And how do you say goodbye to Nick Smith? I've said before how
much I like Nick. He is a true character of the game… and I like
characters. They make the whole experience so much richer for all of
us. He will leave as perhaps the most decorated Illini player in
history. Last year he won the Ohio State game for us and may have
won both tough road tilts at Indiana and Purdue. And if he didn't
come to play against Illinois State, we would've taken a huge
embarrassing loss that day. And how 'bout his no-look pass to "DWill"
last night? I don't know about you, but I will really miss "the
Chainsaw."
And is there anyway to adequately say goodbye to Luther Head?
Some were calling for his head at times early last year, and many
did not want him to get a second or third chance. I hate to be in
the middle, but I think I understood people who were on both sides
of that issue. However, I can tell you this -- the Illini would
NEVER have won last year's outright Big Ten title without him,
period. At times he took over games and willed his team to victory.
No one will ever forget the shot he hit at Purdue. They aren't
likely to forget how he carried Illinois through most of this season
either. If not for Dee Brown's impersonation of an unconscious
Popeye the last two or three weeks, Luther would probably have won
the BT's POTY award. What I like best about Luther is the way he
handled receiving a second chance. He improved as a player on the
court and as a citizen off the court. I've told you loyal readers
before, this group of kids is one that any of you would have fun
hanging out with, and to me Luther epitomizes that. I'm so glad he
came to Illinois, and it pains me that his time with us is almost
over.
Senior Roger Powell, Jr. & family say their fond
farewells. also, pictured is Payne's favorite, Mandi Patrick the
baton twirler who also bid the crowd so long.
Then, there's "the Rev." I wouldn't have the first idea how you'd
go about saying goodbye to this wonderful young man we know as Roger
Powell Jr. I was introduced to him his first year by Brian Cook. We
hit it off right away, and I've enjoyed some quiet personal time
with Roger on several occasions. Don't think that because he is a
man of faith that that has been lost on me. It only makes me respect
him more. Because when the spotlights are on, and all the girls are
hanging around and fame and glory are available, it takes a strong
man to remain humble and hungry. However, Powell has passed test
after test with flying colors. He is a person you would want your
kids to be friends with. He is a gentle giant, and man, can this kid
play. I'll remember the man he was against Duke and Wake Forest.
I'll remember the dunk he had off the glass against Penn State (even
though it was waved off). I'll remember his 10-for10 performance in
the Nittany Valley as well. But what I'll remember most is the way
he carried himself OFF the court. He is the perfect representative
of Illinois basketball and of Illinois athletics. As far as I'm
concerned he could have lifetime membership as an Illini.
So, as you can see, these seniors mean so much to the Illini
program and have brought all of us so much entertainment and joy, I
just don't want to give them up. For those of you who may not know
-- this is a great bunch of kids.
My dad broke me in to fandom at about the age of 3. He took me to
high school, junior college, college and pro games from that time
until his untimely passing. Because of that, I've gotten to see a
lot of players and a lot of games. He pointed out to me the skills
of the players, but went out of his way to especially point out
unselfish play. He loved great chemistry and told me it was the key
to victory. He was so right!
I've seen a lot of teams, including the great ones that I grew up
with at UCLA. But, I have NEVER seen a team quite like this one. The
chemistry is so good that there is not even a recipe for it. These
kids are more unselfish than even Webster's definition of the word.
Amazingly they are a group of athletes that only care about one
statistic, the W's. And with 29 wins in the bank and 10 to go, why
would I want to say goodbye to any of them? I don't!!!
[Jeff Mayfield] |
