It made no sense to me at first how one small head coaching change could vault the Vikings' sad hoops team into national recognition. But in one fell swoop, it has.
The name and the energy of Massimino has brought CSU to the linelight. Why? Because Massimino has something that no coach in a 250-mile radius, including Cincinnati's Bob Huggins has, a Division I basketball championship ring.
Now, to the uninterested person on the street, that wouldn't even get a dull roar. But for the basketball-hungry fans od CSU, or basketball fans in general, it means everything.
I should know. I'm one of those basketball fans.
It's not my fault that I wasn't happy with the ridiculous losing that had in recent years plagued the CSU program. I was born and raised on the notion that basketball was the big time.
I went to Admiral King High School in Lorain, which is famous for its hoopd and its winning tradition. Was it the players that made the team? Was it the gymnasium that they played in? Highly doubtful. What made Admiral King's program was quite simple: The energy of its basketball coach.
So it can be safe to say that I was spoiled on watching good basketball for all those years.
After witnessing the huge press conference, and after meeting Massimino himself during slect Your Seat Night, I was convinced that this was no ordinary coach, and CSU basketball and the entire university is in for a much-needed facelift.
Massimino has said that he wants to interact with the student body because, quite simply, this is the student's team, and he's right. We put our money into this team, and he understands and respects that.
The one thing that impressed me most about Massimino so far is his stress on academics. With problems in previous years with grades, this may very well be the biggest improvement to the team. at least now if the program doesn't have the best win-loss record, they can improve their overall G.P.A.
the hiring of Massimino has certainly worked out for all parties involved. season ticket sales are at an all-time high, plus CSU has been in the national spotlight on several occasions since the announcement. Not to mention the fact that people who don't even care about basketball are intrigued.
So, when you look at it, this was the best thing to happen to CSU. And remember folks, patience.
Follow-up: This was the first of two Teed Offs that had a focus on the improvement of the CSU basketball team's image with the hiring of Massimino.. This one dealt with the present..
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