Sixth Man Club Newsletter
2/11/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sixth Man Club Newsletter
February 2013
This month's edition of the Sixth Man Club Newsletter includes thoughts from our freshmen on why they chose Miami University and a behind-the-scenes perspective from senior manager Wade Smith on road trips. Also included in this month's edition are news and updates about the program.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming games!
Miami University Men's Basketball
WHY MIAMI ...
Freshmen Guard Reggie Johnson on Coming to Miami University:
"I came to Miami University because of my original commitment to Coach Cooper and his staff at Tennessee State University. I believe that a degree from Miami University is big time and I have always kept in mind life after basketball. When I visited, the campus caught my eye right away. Being less than five hours away from Chicago, Miami University was the perfect choice for me. I am close enough to home for my family to support me."
Freshmen Guard Geovonie McKnight on Selecting Miami University:
"The main reason I chose Miami University was because of the new coaching staff that brought a faster style of pace and excitement to the game. Miami is a great school for me to excel at academically. Last but not least, I came to Miami to beat all of the teams in Ohio, especially the University of Cincinnati."
Road Trip: A Day in the Life of Team
Manager Wade Smith...
Being a team manager for the Miami University men's basketball team, staff and Coach Cooper is certainly a rewarding and invaluable experience. As someone who serves and works for the RedHawks on a daily basis, I can say with confidence that it is because of Coach Cooper and his staff that I am able to come to Millett Hall every day with the passion and energy needed to be a valuable part of this program. I believe in Coach Cooper's long-term vision for the program and this was the primary reason why I chose to be a manager for the program after hearing his initial press conference and meeting him in the spring of 2012. Although the role of a team manager often goes unnoticed by individuals outside of a program, a team manager is a role essential to the functioning of the team and all of its moving parts. This statement is no truer than on our road trips. This column details my typical daily schedule for a road trip, along with that of my fellow team managers, Joe Maggiore and Derek Pugh.
Tuesday February 5, 2012:
- 5:00 AM Wake Up
- 5:10 AM Kroger's (Pick-Up Snacks for Team)
- 6:45 AM Pick-Up Breakfast for Team
- 5:50-7:30 AM Practice at Millet
- 7:45 AM Take Players to Class
- 8:15 AM Call in Food Orders for Pre/Post Game Meals
- 9:00-11:00 AM Class
- 11:20 AM Organize Team Gear, Film Equipment, Food & Water
- 11:45 AM Load Team Bus
- 12:00 PM Pass Out Lunch to Team on Bus
- 12:15 PM Depart for Toledo
- 3:45 PM Arrive in Toledo
- 3:50 PM Unload Gear, Film Equipment, Food & Water
- 4:20 PM Set Up Film Equipment for Team Film Session
- 4:30 PM Get Players to Correct Hotel Conference Room
- 4:40 PM Team Meeting
- 5:15 PM Team Dinner
- 7:00 PM Team Movie
- 9:30 PM Pass out Food and Water to Player's Rooms, Arrange Wake-Up Calls
- 10:00 PM Work-Out
- 11:00 PM Homework
- 12:00 AM Lights Out
As you can see there is a great deal of organization that goes into planning a typical travel day for our team, as well as the amount of communication that must go on between myself, our staff, and our players. With the guidance of Sean Mock and Trey Meyer, I am able to execute my duties and tasks in order to make the trip as easy as possible for our players and coaches.
NEWS AND NUGGETS
RedHawks Reach 600 MAC Wins: With a 70-61 win at Central Michigan on Feb. 2, 2013, Miami became the first Mid-American Conference program to reach 600 league wins. A decade ago, the RedHawks earned their 500th MAC win with a 73-58 triumph at Eastern Michigan on Jan. 29, 2003. In its 66th year in the MAC, the RedHawks hold a 600-357 record in conference play and boast a league-best .627 winning percentage. The next closest school in the win column is Ohio University, which owns a 538-427 record in its 67th year in the MAC. Miami also owns 21 regular-season MAC crowns, more than twice the number of any other league school.
Miami to Face Southern Illinois in Ramada Worldwide BracketBuster: Miami will face Southern Illinois in the 2013 Ramada Worldwide BracketBuster at 3:05 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Feb. 23. It is the sixth Missouri Valley Conference program Miami has faced in its 10 years participating in the event. February 23 will be just the second meeting between the programs. Miami captured a 77-72 win in Carbondale, Ill., on Dec. 28, 1956 in the only other meeting.
Banging the Boards: Although Miami had struggled on the boards this season, the RedHawks have out-rebounded their last four opponents. Miami recorded a 37-29 advantage on the boards against Western Michigan on Jan. 30, who entered the game ranked 18th nationally in rebounding margin. At Central Michigan on Feb. 2, the RedHawks edged the Chippewas on the boards, 36-34, and then posted a 29-25 advantage at Toledo on Feb. 6. Miami notched a 32-30 advantage against Akron on Feb. 9.
Miami to Honor Coles: Miami Athletics will honor Charlie Coles '65 for his record-setting career during the Saturday, March 2 game versus Kent State. Coles, who guided the Miami program for 16 seasons and was a head coach in the Mid-American Conference for 22 seasons, is the Miami record holder for wins (263) and the Mid-American Conference record holder for career MAC wins (218). He finished with 355 career wins between his time at Miami and Central Michigan, which ties for second all-time among MAC coaches.
March 2 Tabbed as Alumni Day: Miami Basketball also will host an Alumni Day on Saturday, March 2 for all of its former players.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Wednesday, February 13 at Kent State, 7 p.m. (SportsTime Ohio)
Saturday, February 16 vs. Buffalo, 3:30 p.m. (Time Warner Cable SportsChannel)
*This is the second game of a doubleheader and has been moved back a half an hour to 3:30 for TV
Saturday, February 23 at Southern Illinois (Ramada Worldwide BracketBuster), 3:05 p.m. (ET)
Wednesday, February 27 at Bowling Green, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 2 vs. Kent State, 3 p.m.
*Pregame Reception for Sixth Man Club, Men's Basketball Alumni andRWC members.
*Reception starts at 1:30 p.m. and will be in the Walter L. Gross Jr. Family Student-Athlete DevelopmentCenter. To attend, RSVP by Feb. 27 to RWClub@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-8097.
*Miami will honor senior Vince Legarza prior to the game.
*Miami Athletics also will honor Charlie Coles for his illustrious career during the game. Coach Coles will be the guest speaker at the pregame reception.
Tuesday, March 5 at Akron, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. OR Saturday, March 2 at Ohio at 2 p.m.
*Date will be determined by which MAC game is selected for television on Friday
Mid-American Conference Tournament March 11-16
