The Man Behind the Scenes

Imagine being a player, if you can, and as your are sitting at Damon's Grille the day before the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament you see this video come up on the enormous flat screen above your table. It has been a season with more obstacles and struggles than in the past, you just got done traveling seven hours on a bus to Central Michigan and finals week is in the back of your mind, but one video can make you forget about all of the hard times. Nothing else is on your mind besides winning that championship that you have practiced three long hours a day, six days a week for. At least it has that effect on me, as well as the players, and it is all possible thanks to one member of the Bobcats crew that we haven't talked about yet, Daronce Daniels. 

Daniels is a video producer for sports marketing at Ohio University and is responsible for creating, along with Emmy-Award winning videographer Evan Shaw, the season highlight video above. A recent graduate of Elon University, Daronce says the best part about his job at Ohio University is when he gets to see the team's reaction to his work.  

"The best part is watching the players when the see the videos and seeing the look on their face. You know, making them excited or making them happy or whatever emotion you can bring out," said Daniels. 

At many universities the women's teams do not receive the same amount of coverage, or the same quality of coverage, due to lack of funding. At Ohio University, however, the video production team makes sure to cover all of the teams and the players couldn't be more thankful.

"I think that we do a great job of treating all of the sports equally and it is nice that people are trying to show that they support us," said senior Jennifer Bushby. 

Senior Jenny Poff, a transfer from Michigan State University, says she was used to a strong following and that the videos and articles on Ohiobobcats.com are important to maintaining a support system.

"When people and fans can't come out to the games all the time it is important for them to be able to keep up with the team somehow," Poff said. "The videos that Daronce and Evan work on help to show what's going on because sometimes just an article can't show that."  

When I asked the seniors about the highlight video in particular, they only had great things to say. 

"The video was phenomenal," Bushby added. "That was one of the best highlight videos I have seen since I have been here. The music is cool, the graphics are amazing and I was impressed. It had the effect it should have had."   

Senior Jenny Poff had a similar reaction.

"That was really good. That is what a highlight video is supposed to do," she said. "It is supposed to pump you up and get you excited to play. I was really impressed by the graphics and the effects. It definitely worked."

If Daniels was being honest when he said his favorite part of the job is making players excited to play, then mission accomplished. 

Fun Fact: The Men's basketball team is in the semi-finals today! 

Go Bobcats! 

A Fairytale Ending Looks a Little Something Like This

The Sweet Taste of Victory, Finally.

The Bobcats are no longer winless at home in February after snapping a five game losing streak with a 69-56 win against rivalry Miami last night. The "Battle of the Bricks" was an intense battle between two teams struggling to make a turnaround. The 8-19 Redhawks have been facing the same difficulties as the 7-20 Bobcats in terms of finding consistency and overcoming adversity, but last night's contest game down to three key moments and statistics.

1. REBOUNDING! In the loss to Miami earlier this season, Ohio lost on the boards by one rebound. Last night however, the story was completely different. Ohio out-rebounded the Redhawks 45-31!

2. Miami's best player Courtney Osborn was injured in the first half and Ohio took advantage of her time on the bench by busting out a 13-2 run to chip away at the deficit.

3. Everyone played their individual role. Kamille Buckner stayed out of foul trouble and earned her third career double-double, Thia Gholson scored eight and tallied 12 rebounds, Jennifer Bushby added 15 points, Carolyn Barnett chipped in with 14 off the bench, Tina Fisher played solid defense and was a physical presence inside, Jenny Poff struggled to score early but managed to contribute with assists and rebounds, and Symone Lyles played consistent off the bench and added a free-throw.

Isn't that what life is all about though? We are thrown in different situations and different environments as we embark on new opportunities in our lives. Different environments mean new teammates or co-workers and certainly new roles. It is our job to adjust and figure out the best way we can contribute. Sometimes we will be hero, other times we will have to give the hero the assist. Either way, teamwork is what makes success possible and teamwork starts with the individual.

Before the game, Assistant Coach Ryan Bragdon said, "We have been in every single position possible. It is just whether or not we can make plays down the stretch."

The Bobcats have been in close games where they are leading and close games where they are trailing, but in almost every close game the team has made bad decisions late in the game. What Coach Bragdon was saying is, it all depends on whether or not they will learn from the past. Each moment in our lives prepares us for an even bigger moment. Whether or not we are ready for that bigger moment depends on what we have learned from the past and how we have prepared for the future. Ohio finally learned from its mistakes and were able to seal off the Redhawks for the sixth straight time at the Convocation Center.

What shall they prepare for next? Ohio will take on Buffalo at 2:00 for the last home game of the season. Don't miss it!

Fun Fact: Senior night at the Convo Saturday! Come honor Jennifer Bushby and Jenny Poff for their successful career as a Bobcat.

Go Bobcats!

More than Your Average Mother Daughter Duo

Senior Gaurd Jennifer Bushby gives us an inside scoop on her relationship with her best friend, her mother.

Bushby Makes History in Loss to the Rockets

Jennifer Bushby is now the 13th player in Ohio history to reach 1,000 career points after leading all scorers with 16 points in the 76-54 loss to Toledo. It was a pair of three-pointers to open up scoring and a mid-range jumper at the top of the key to hit the 1000-point plateau. Lou, the man behind the mic, made an announcement to the fans and everyone stood up to recognize this rare accomplishment. What really makes this moment special is the type of person Bushby is. She is a kind of player that would pass to an open teammate before taking a shot anytime. Her teammates are her first priority and that is what made it even more exciting when she hit 1,000.

Her mother is even more important to her and unfortunately the snow storm kept "Momma Bushby" stuck in Columbus. The broadcasting team made sure to give her a shout-out on the radio but I am sure it was killing her not to be there! Jennifer grew up living with just her mother in Gahanna, Ohio and the two are inseparable. Before the game I ran up to Jennifer and picked her up off the ground, swung her around and asked her if she was ready to get that 1,000th point. She responded, "I have been playing basketball my whole life. This is just another basket to me. This is only exciting because I know how happy and proud my mother is going to be. Make sure you watch out for my hand signal that I do when I make the shot." We found out later was a +1 hand motion to show that her mom is with her in spirit.

Ohio was decked out in all pink jerseys to support breast cancer and the first 500 fans, as promised, received pink t-shirts! The Convo had a great fan showing despite a snow covered Athens. Toledo was the better team and while Ohio tried to hang on, the Rockets just had too many scoring threats. It didn't help that Ohio is second in the MAC in 3-point field goal percentage and Toledo is first in 3-point field goal defense. Ha! Everyone knew it would be a tough game to win for the Bobcats, but anything can happen in the MAC so you can never have doubt. Next up is Northern Illinois and lets up this snow goes away before the team hits the road Tuesday!

Fun Fact: Coach Randall wore pink and white Nike sneakers with her dress pants. Haha it was great!

Also, here are some photos from the pink filled Convo and the trip to Western Michigan!



Go Bobcats!

The Beauty of Teamwork, Bobcats Capture W Against Cardinals

The saying goes, "There is no 'I' in team" but people often joke by saying, "There is a 'me' though." While I have never really given this statement much thought beyond a quick laugh, after the Bobcats match-up against Ball State Saturday I realized it is so true!! The way I see it is everyone has an individual role on a team and each player is responsible for focusing in on that role. At the same time, each player is responsible for a role only because she is one piece of a larger puzzle that all comes together to produce the best product. If everyone buys into their roles, or their pieces of the puzzle, then the end goal will be accomplished.

Ohio did exactly that to capture a big W against the Cardinals. Da'Keisha Mann is still not playing because of a violation of team policy and Thia Gholson, one of Ohio's most powerful rebounders, missed the contest due to a back injury. It was time for the younger players to show that they were ready to step in and fill the gaps and wow did they execute! All but one player that stepped on to the floor scored a basket. The one that did not score, Lyles, was an absolute spark off the bench and caused significant havoc on defense. Bench players Maxine Ohakim, Carolyn Barnett and Danielle Woodmore were outstanding. Ohakim used her great size and strength to keep Ball State off the boards, Barnett once again was good for a few quick scores and steals and Woodmore used her unprecedented quickness to penetrate the gaps and open up shots for her seniors.

Speaking of the seniors...wow. Jennifer Bushby made the defense look silly. She played like she was straight from the "And1" commercials putting up a season high 23 points and seven rebounds. Her fellow senior Jenny Poff added 14. This was no easy win either. The ball game was tied six times and the lead changed nine times. Other than against Akron, this is the only time Ohio was able to finish down the stretch.

Remember when I got excited about 22 turnovers? How about 15 against Ball State!! Wahoo! Now, we can't get too excited because it was a game of two half court zone defenses so 15 isn't actually that great but hey we will take it! Next up is Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. Game starts Wednesday night at 7:00. You can tune in by visiting ohiobobcats.com. Until then, so long!

Fun Fact: Jennifer Bushby is only 14 points away from 1,000 at OU!

Go Bobcats!