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! 

Nike Shoes-Do They Just Do It?

The team is sponsored by Russell Athletics, but if you know anything about basketball shoes then you know that Russell kicks are not always the most ideal. To compensate, the team wears Russell clothing and is allowed to use a portion of the budget to purchase Nike shoes. The team gets to decide between two or three pairs depending on shoe size and budget. They can either pick a pair of Nike shocks or a pair of Nike Blue Chips. 

Throughout their entire basketball careers, each player had been able to purchase the shoe that is perfect for them. Coming to college and having to pick between just two pairs can be a big adjustment to make. No one is complaining because they are free, but not everyone is excited about the scarce selection. Now that the season is over, I can't just show up to practice and get the scoop so I sent out a mass text that said, "Hey guys, which Nike shoe did you pick this year and what did you think of them overall. Please be honest." Here is how they responded:  

Senior Jenny Poff says there is no competition between the two. "I wear the Nike shocks and everyone thinks that they are too heavy but I just like shocks in general so they are more comfortable for me. I never have problems with them and they are great," she said convincingly.

Junior guard Carolyn Barnett is in the same boat. "I really like them. I didn't have to break them in, they were good to go as soon as I put them on."

Freshman Symone Lyles, on the other hand, hasn't had the same experience. "They started off really good and I was happy. But then toward the end of the season they started to hurt the crap out of my feet," Lyles said. 

Are you sure it's the shoes...or is it the line runs and the suicides that take a toll on your feet? Last year I chose the Blue Chips and decided to give them a try. Like Poff said, a lot of girls think the shocks are too heavy and I am one of them. The Blue Chips were extremely light, they formed around my feet really well and they were cute! 

Lyles is right though. They started to kill towards the end of the season. Usually a player experiences the worst pain during the break-in process, but the Blue Chips continued to loosen until there was no support. With no support, my feet start start sliding forward and my toes were constantly jamming into the front of the shoe. Not a pretty site, or feeling. Luckily, the girls get two pairs of shoes so if they start to fall apart a fresh pair is waiting.  

Freshman Tina Fisher decided to choose one of each kind. She says as long as they are Nike she will be happy. "I really like all of them. I am a Nike girl and I have always worn Nike so I really like them. Nike is all you need!" she said.

All of the players go through two pairs a season. The Nike Shocks run around $110.00 and the Blue Chips run close to $85.00 so it's good thing for team discounts and scholarships. For now, it's time for the players to give their feet a rest until Spring Quarter begins. Then, believe it or not, they will be back to work already! 

Fun Fact: The team buys pink shoe laces for the breast cancer awareness game and most of the players finish out the season with their pink shoelaces in. I STILL have mine in!

Go Bobcats!

Beyond the Game

As I was writing my last post about balancing academics and athletics, I started thinking about how basketball relates to life in general. I mentioned that a handful of professors would be pleased if athletics didn't exist at all, but the women on this team are confident that the skills they practice on the court are preparing them for the rest of their lives. 

"Basketball teaches you how to overcome diversity," freshman Symone Lyles said. "My teammates and I don't all look alike, as you can tell, and we are all from very different families and lifestyles. Throughout all adversity you just have to stick together to succeed and make it through. You can't have doubts, but just trust one another."

Along with learning how to communicate with teammates who are significantly different than you, freshman Ashley Fowler says basketball has improved her communication skills overall. 

"You have to be constantly communicating. You communicate with your teammates, coaches and the media in different ways," she said. "I would feel comfortable now having to approach someone I had never met before and working to get to know them. That is what happened this year when I had only a couple of months to get to know all of my teammates before season started."

Today is tournament day, as you know, and for most of the freshman it has been a long season full of learning. The freshman combined are averaging 12 minutes per game, a significant number for first-year members. Most of the time as a freshman you only get one chance to make a first impression or else the bench is waiting with your name all over it. Freshman Tina Fisher says instead of looking at this as pressure, she likes to think it helps her get in the mindset to play with no regrets and leave nothing behind.

"You have to always play like it is going to be your last game and that is how I try to live my life too. In basketball your time to make an impact is short. When you are applying for a job, isn't it the same?" Fisher said. "You never know when you will get a great opportunity in life, and you always have to live like it might be your last one."

For the Bobcats, tonight could be the last one. It is win and advance, or lose and go home but as long as the team shares Fisher's mentality, they should be ready for battle. Tip-off is tonight at 5 in Mount Pleasant, MI. I will be tweeting game up-dates. If you have any other thoughts on how athletics are important to developing life skills please feel free to comment! Can't wait to hear:)

Fun Fact: Ohio and Central Michigan will be meeting for the 53rd time in the all-time series. Ohio leads 14-11 when playing in Mt. Pleasant. 

Go Bobcats!

A Fairytale Ending Looks a Little Something Like This

"No Matter How Down You Are, You Have to Keep Pushing"

Senior night is approaching ahhhh! Saturday the seniors will step on the hard court for their last career game as a Bobcat. I can only imagine what it would feel like, so I sat down with senior Jenny Poff to see what is stirring in her mind with the big night only three days away. She walks us through everything from emotion and family to life lessons she will take away from this sport. 

Q: First, congratulations on such a successful career at Ohio University. What is going through your head as the season approaches its final few games?

A: It's crazy to think that I have been playing basketball for 20 years of my life and it's all just coming to an end. I think senior night is going to be a wreck for me. All of my emotions are going to come at me all at the same time. 

Q: Having spent so much of your time practicing and playing in the Convocation Center, will you feel overwhelmed with emotion knowing Saturday will be the last time you step foot on the floor for a game?

A: I definately think it will be emotional with my family being there and with everything I have gone through with the transfer and all of the coaches I have had. The good times and bad times, it's all going to come to mind all at once. 

Q: You obviously had a senior night in high school, what was that like and do you expect your college senior night experience to be similar?

A: It was not as big of a deal because I knew I was going on. I knew I was playing in college and so I could think about all that was still to come. I was excited about moving on to the next level.

Q: You mention family, what will the Poff crew be like?

A: My mom is going to be emotional and my grandparents. Everybody seeing it come to an end will be emotional. The only person that won't be there is my grandpa who passed away 7-8 years ago. There will be at least 17 of my family members there so it will be powerful. 

Q: Looking back, what is your favorite memory at Ohio University? One that just stands out above the rest.

A: Beating Bowling Green in double-overtime in the semi-finals game in Cleveland. It felt like the MAC Championship game. Seeing our senior Quintana Ward hit the game winning shot was awesome. I had fouled out before the second overtime so I got to see it all happen from the bench. Everyone rushed the floor and it was really awesome. 

Q: Basketball has been such an integral part of your life. What is the most important life lesson you will take away from this game?

A: I just think that sports can teach you so many life lessons. The biggest thing I have taken away is no matter how many times you fail, you always need to get back up and try again. Always. Especially playing a team sport, even if you are low you have all of your teammates to help you and get you back up. No matter how down you are, you have to keep pushing yourself for your teammates even if you don't want to or don't feel like it that day. 

Jenny Poff thank you for taking the time to help us understand what a big moment this will be for you. Good luck!

Fun Fact: Poff has been playing basketball for 20 years. She is 23 years old and, believe it or not, started playing at the age of three!

Go Bobcats!

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!