Thurday, November 27, 2003 - Happy Thanksgiving

THOMAS, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

I have been turning my attention more to the Pepsi Center event in February. I keep thinking, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression", and if ever there was a coming out party for this program, this will be it.

On Sunday there was a big ad in the Denver Post Sports section, somewhere in proximity to all the Hooter ads and stuff. There was a big color ad for the Mammoth with a picture of the famous Gary Gait in action. The ad was for the all star game for the NLL, which will be played in Denver at the Pepsi CEnter on February 22. The All Star game Logo was unveiled, and way down there at the bottom in small letters were the words, "CSU vs. CU game".

P-DAY - WE'RE GOING TO THE CAN

I feel strongly that we need to mobilize the program, players and team, alumni, family, and friends to try to make this event and that day a great one for CSU and CSU lacrosse. Teamo Supremo, baby. My metaphors will be changing, I fear. I have been watching way too many Disney "catoons" (Cartoons) for them not to affect the way I think. I digress. Really?

Even though this game at the Pepsi will technically be an exhibition, it will also be in some ways the most important game we have ever played for the simple reason that the audience will be the biggest we have ever played in front of. I want to play well, and yes, I want us to put on a show, a show of what our program is. To do this right, we all need to pitch in, and it really all needs to start now.

The Mammoth has created this huge opportunity for us, and for lack of a better way to put it, we (CSU lacrosse) need to cash in on same opportunity. Our program needs a little economic help right now, and this year in particular, due to the financial scope of my little 2004 vision. I am already trying to get a handle on what we will be allowed to use (logos, etc.) and sell at the Pepsi Center. Other than our CSU High Altitude Lacrosse camp, this could be the biggest potential fund raiser we could ever hope to have.

We are getting blocks of tickets for alumni, and hopefully student groups, like fraternities. I am encouraging the players to get friends and family tickets to the game for Christmas presents and stocking stuffers. I want us to have a bigger "cheering section" than the other guys. I cannot tell a lie. This means a lot to me.

EXCITABLE BOYS

Once we get all the hype stuff in place, we also want to work on the box game so we can put a semi-good-looking game on the floor. Our first session indoors at a local arena called OD’s will take place this coming Monday. I sense the team building up a high level of excitement for this whole thing as the time for the actual game approaches. I want to do a good job preparing us, and this is a challenge as well. The box game is different from the field game.

I’m studying tapes of the Mammoth games, and picking Kale’s brain, too, since he is trying out for the team and spent last week in Mammoth camp. There are a few things that I/we need to get used to: moving picks are good! Who knew? Pick and roll is definitely happening in the box game, too. And then, of course, there is the whole cross-check- is-a-good-thing thing. I have my work cut out for me. Right now that work is to go cook a turkey and entertain little people.

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