CoSIDA conventions are always a highlight of the year for the opportunities to stay current with developments in our profession and renew friendships with some of the best people I know.
This year’s CoSIDA workshop was a little more special for several reasons, primarily because, as part of the trip to Orlando, I was able to see The Rock’s Matt Adams in action and also go back to “my stompin’ grounds,” as the saying goes.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t say how truly honored I was to be elected as second vice president of the Division II sports information group, D2SIDA. Very much appreciate the confidence my fellow SIDs have shown in me to lead them.
Great to have friends and role models like
Rich Herman (Clarion),
Tom DiCamillo (formerly at West Chester/now Pac West Conference),
Roy Pickerill (Kentucky Wesleyan),
Greg Goings (Bowie State) … The list could go on for days. I consider myself very fortunate to have a great network of SIDs upon whom I can call for advice and guidance at any time.
Special shoutout to St. Louis area SIDs
Ray Simmons (Southern Indiana SID),
John Kean (Missouri S&T SID),
Luke Rinne (MS&T Assistant SID),
Chuck Yahng (Maryville Assistant AD) and
Bridgette Robles (Lewis Assistant SID) who allowed me to tag along when they made a trip to Miami to watch the Marlins take on the St. Louis Cardinals. It afforded me a great opportunity to see
Matt Adams in a Major League Baseball uniform. Sorry to say, Matt took a called third strike on his only at bat in the game, a pinch-hit opportunity. But it was good to see him and spend a couple minutes catching up on his meteoric ascent through professional baseball. Looking forward along with the rest of Rock Nation to seeing him the end of July when the Redbirds come to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates.
Look forward, too, to seeing Rock alums
Jim Trdinich,
Jeff Podobnik,
Terry Rodgers and many, many others for a mini Rock reunion during the homestand vs. St. Louis.
In case you wondered, my impressions of Marlins Park: Outside looks like an industrial plant, inside is awesome but could only be pulled off in Miami. Ambiance of the place would not fit anywhere else. Again, many thanks to the St. Louis SID gang and Cardinals and Marlins team officials for letting us enjoy the moment.
After the convention, it was great to see longtime friends in Bradenton, Lakeland and points in between. Only wish I could have spent more time and seen more people while I was there. Hopefully next time.
Shifting gears to catch up on accumulated notes …
• Congrats and best wishes to Rock Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Tanya Longo and her husband, Rock football Offensive Coordinator
Phil Longo, on the birth of their second daughter, Macaria Morgan. Mom and daughter are doing well, we’re told. Not sure about the proud papa. Three ladies in the house ...
• Shoutout to former Rock men’s basketball graduate assistant
Eric Murphy, who was recently named as Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Northern Colorado, a member of the Big Sky Conference. Murphy was The Rock’s GA in 2008-09, Kevin Reynolds’ first season as SRU’s head coach, and “played a very significant role in rebuilding SRU Basketball,” in the words of Reynolds. Murphy, who earned a master’s degree in physical education from SR, is the fourth member of Reynolds’ program to secure a spot on an NCAA Division I coaching staff. Prior to joining the UNC staff, Murphy paid his dues as an assistant coach at Vincennes (Ind.) and Wabash (Ill.), two of the top junior-college programs in the nation.
• Happy to see my undergraduate alma mater, the University of Akron, and SRU alum
Jodi Kest agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep her as the Zips’ head women’s basketball coach through the 2017-18 season. Kest, who just completed her seventh season as UA’s head coach and is the school’s all-time leader in career wins with 97, led the Zips to arguably their finest season in history. Last winter’s squad won a school-record 23 games and earned a runner-up finish in the Mid-American Conference tournament and a berth in the WNIT tournament, their second trip to a national tournament in the last four seasons.
• Tip of the hat, too, to good friend
Keith Dambrot, UA’s head men’s coach, for a school-record 26-win season, Mid-American Conference championship and the third trip to the NCAA tournament in the last five seasons.
• Congrats also to former Rock assistant lacrosse coach
Rachel Cibulas, who was named in May as the first-ever head coach at Muskingum College (New Concord, Ohio). Before taking over the Muskies, Rachel led Adrian (Mich.) College to a 34-6 record, two league championships and two appearances in the NCAA Division III national tournament.
• And a final shoutout to
Elliot Washington, the new head men’s basketball coach at the State College of Florida (or as I knew it, Manatee Community College). I had the privilege of covering Elliot as a high school, juco and University of Alabama student-athlete before he began to enjoy tremendous success as a high school coach. Wish him well in his new role with the Manatees (still the Lancers in my mind).
Closing thought: T-minus 48 days and counting until kickoff in Midland, Mich. for the 2013 Rock football season. Should be an exciting season. Make plans now to be part of the fun!
That’s all for now. Until next time …
GO ROCK!!
Bob McComas
Sports Information Director
