The Way I "See" It: The Sports Perspective From A Blind WVU Student
Follow Kerri on Twitter! WAJRSports!
With the Mountaineers 68-66 overtime win Saturday against the Villanova Wildcats on the road, they will be a third seed in the Big East tournament. The tournament begins Tuesday, March 9 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Mountaineers enter the tournament with a 24-6 overall record. They have earned a double-bye and will not play until the quarterfinals on Thursday night against either No. 14 Rutgers, No. 11 Cincinnati, or No. 6 Louisville Thursday, March 11 at 9 PM. Syracuse is the Big East regular-season champions. Pitt is the runner-up and has the No. 2 seed. With the overtime loss Saturday, Villanova falls to the fourth seed.
WVU senior DaSean Butler and sophomore Devin Ebanks earned All-Big East honors. Butler was named to the All-Big East First Team while Ebanks was named to the All-Big East Third Team. Butler was an All-Big East Second team pick last season. He is the leading scorer for the Mountaineers, averaging a team-leading 17.2 points per game while grabbing 6.3 rebounds. The Mountaineers finished the regular season by defeating the Villanova Wildcats on the road 68-66 in overtime Saturday. They are a third seed in the Big East Tournament held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. They will play in the 9 o’clock game Thursday. They have a 24-6 overall record and are 13-5 in the Big East.
ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM
Greg Monroe, Georgetown, C, So., 6-11, 247, New Orleans, La.
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame, F, Sr., 6-8, 255, Schererville, Ind.
Dominique Jones, USF, G, Jr., 6-4, 205, Lake Wales, Fla.
Wes Johnson, Syracuse, F, Jr., 6-7, 205, Corsicana, Texas
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova, G, Sr., 6-2, 190, Herndon, Va. *
Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia, F, Sr., 6-7, 225, Newark, N.J.
ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM
Austin Freeman, Georgetown, G, Jr., 6-4, 237, Mitchelville, Md.
Lazar Hayward, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-6, 225, Buffalo, N.Y.
Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh, G, So., 6-2, 190, Scotch Plains, N.J.
Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall, G, Jr., 6-5, 185, Bronx, N.Y.
Andy Rautins, Syracuse, G, Sr., 6-5, 195, Jamesville, N.Y.
ALL-BIG EAST THIRD TEAM
Jerome Dyson, Connecticut, G, Sr., 6-3, 190, Potomac, Md.
Kemba Walker, Connecticut, G, So., 6-1, 172, Bronx, N.Y.
Samardo Samuels, Louisville, F, So., 6-9, 260, Trelawny, Jamaica
Corey Fisher, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-1, 200, Bronx, N.Y.
Devin Ebanks, West Virginia, F, So., 6-9, 210, Long Island City, N.Y.
BIG EAST HONORABLE MENTION
Jimmy Butler, Marquette, F, Jr., 6-6, 215, Tomball, Texas
Tim Abromaitis, Notre Dame, F, Jr., 6-8, 232, Unionville, Conn.
Jamine Peterson, Providence, F, So., 6-6, 230, Brooklyn, N.Y.
BIG EAST ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati, G, Fr., 6-5, 210, Brooklyn, N.Y. *
Alex Oriakhi, Connecticut, F/C, Fr., 6-9, 240, Lowell, Mass.
Vincent Council, Providence, G, Fr., 6-2, 180, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dane Miller, Rutgers, F, Fr., 6-7, 210, Henrietta, N.Y. *
Brandon Triche, Syracuse, G, Fr., 6-4, 198, Jamesville, N.Y.
Maalik Wayns, Villanova, G, Fr., 6-1, 185, Philadelphia, Pa.
* unanimous selection
WVU Women's Basketball coach Mike Carey was named the Big East Coach of the Year for just the second time. He led the Mountaineers to a 26-4 regular season record. The Mountaineers also finished the regular season second place in the conference. The last time Carey was named Big East Coach of the Year was the 2004-05 season. This year however, he was named Co-Coach of the Year along with Connecticut's Geno Auriemma.
2009-10 BIG EAST WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON HONORS
BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tina Charles, Connecticut (Sr., Center, Jamaica, N.Y.)
BIG EAST FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Sugar Rodgers, Georgetown (Fr., Guard, Suffolk, Va.)
BIG EAST COACHES OF THE YEAR
Geno Auriemma, Connecticut (25th season at UConn)
Mike Carey, West Virginia (Ninth season at WVU)
The WVU Men’s Basketball team won it’s final game of the regular season against the No. 9 Villanova Wildcats in overtime 68-66 Saturday. The Mountaineers did not play well in the first half, but picked things up in the second half. They were just 2 for 10 in free throw shooting. The Mountaineers did not hit a shot until seven minutes into the game. The Mountaineers faced a 13-point deficit by halftime 29-16. Things improved in the second half. The Mountaineers went on an 18-5 run and tied the game at 34. The game was back and forth from there. Four made free throws by DaSean Butler once again tied the game at 41. Back-to-back baskets by Wellington Smith gave the Mountaineers their first lead of the game at 51-50. Twice in the remaining minutes, the Mountaineers had the lead by three. Scottie Reynolds hit a two-point basket to bring the Wildcats to within 1 58-57. Devin Ebanks hit two free throws to give the Mountaineers the lead by three once again. But, with 13 seconds left Corey Fisher hit a three-pointer to tie the game. Ebanks tried to put up a tough shot with 4 seconds that did not go in forcing the game into overtime. In the overtime, Kevin Jones hit a pair of baskets to give the Mountaineers a one-point lead 64-63. Butler added to the Mountaineers lead by making two free throws. But, once again, the Wildcats hit a three-pointer with 35 seconds left in overtime to tie the game again. Butler was able to hit a basket with six seconds left to give the Mountaineers the lead 68-66. The Wildcats had a chance at a three-pointer to win the game but the shot did not go in. The win improves the Mountaineers record to 24-6 overall, 13-5 Big East. Three players scored in double figures led by Butler’s 21 points and 10 rebounds. Smith added 15, and Ebanks finished with 12 and grabbed seven rebounds. The Mountaineers are the third seed and have a double-bye in the Big East tournament and will play this Thursday in the late game at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tipoff is scheduled for around 9 PM. Coliseum Countdown begins on WAJR at 8: PM.
Here are some quoted comments about WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong's career. The University announced Wednesday that it would not be renewing Pastilong's contract when it expires in June and instead will begin looking for a replacement. However, Pastilong will remain as emeritus for the next two years.
A selection of comments about Ed Pastilong’s tenure as director of athletics at West Virginia University:
“I have the utmost respect for Coach Ed Pastilong and the job he has done for this University. He has been a tremendous role model and a supportive boss. He cares about this department more than anyone I know. He will be missed greatly by me, this staff and our football program.”
—Football Coach Bill Stewart
“I’ve known Ed since I was 19 years old when he was assistant athletic director, and I attended school and played basketball here. We have been friends since then. Obviously, during his career, he has led West Virginia University to probably the greatest heights in all of our sports. He led us into the BIG EAST, and he has been the face of Mountaineer athletics for many years. I’m certainly happy for Ed and Mona, but it’s a sad day for Mountaineer athletics.”
—Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins
“I’d like to thank Ed Pastilong for the opportunity to coach at West Virginia University. With his leadership and guidance, our program continues to reach new heights, as evidenced by this year’s successes. Ed has done a remarkable job of shaping this department and preparing it for the future challenges that we will face. I thank him for all he has done for me and West Virginia University.”
—Women’s Basketball Coach Mike Carey
“It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Pastilong for the last 15 years. He not only started the women’s soccer program at West Virginia University, but his continued support has played an integral role in bringing the program into national prominence. He has accomplished so much during his time at WVU, I hope he can enjoy this much deserved time with his family.”
—Women’s Soccer Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown
“The growth that has surrounded the West Virginia University Athletic Department from the day Ed was hired to today is tremendous and 100 percent directly related to his supervision and guidance. Over the years, he has made good choices in hiring coaches who have been able to produce. I can’t think of a person that has been more of a people person and truly cares about the staff, the coaches and the student-athletes. He is one-of-a-kind. I’m really sorry to see him step down.”
—Gymnastics Coach Linda Burdette-Good
“I’d like to congratulate Ed for his many contributions to WVU and Mountaineer athletics over the years – first as a student-athlete, later as a member of the football coaching staff, and then his many years as an administrator. One of the hallmarks of Ed’s administration would have to be the major enhancements to WVU’s athletic facilities. They are among the finest in the country. He also selected some very fine coaches and staff members over the years, who are as loyal and committed to this University as he is. Ed has devoted the majority of his life to WVU and I wish he and Mona well as they begin to enjoy more family and leisure time in the years ahead.”
—Leland Byrd, former WVU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
WVU head football coach Bill Stewart has made his coaching staff assignments set for the 2010 year. Incoming assistant Dave McMichael will be primarily in charge of the tight ends. McMichael's recruiting areas will include Western Pennsylvania, Northern New Jersey, and New York. Stewart will be splitting up the special team responsibilities between assistants McMichael and Steve Dunlap. McMichael will oversee the offensive special teams unit including field goals, extra point, and kickoff returns. Dunlap will over defensive special teams including kickoff coverage, punt returns, field goals, and extra point block defense. Stewart will continue to oversee punting for the team. Runningbacks and slot receivers coach Chris Beatty will take over as Director of Recruiting for the Mountaineers replacing Doc Holliday. Spring practice begins for the Mountaineers on April 6, and the annual Gold-Blue spring game will be held Friday night, April 30.
COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
Mike Joseph: Strength and conditioning
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday Sept. 5 LIBERTY
Saturday Sept. 12 EAST CAROLINA
The 2009 Women’s Soccer spring schedule has been announced. The Mountaineers first play Penn State on the road Febuary 28 at 7:30 P.M. After that, the Mountaineers have 2 matches in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 28. The Mountaineers face Tennessee at 10:00 A.M. and Georgia at noon. Then, the Mountaineers play Pitt in the Betty Puskar Breast Cancer Soccer Invitational on April 4 at 11:00 A.M. at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown. The spring season ends with the Mountaineers playing 2 more matches both at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium against Purdue at 7:00 P.M. on April 18 and Ohio State at 2:00 P.M. on April 25. In other Women’s Soccer news, the Mountaineer Soccer team held their awards for the 2008 season. Junior Carolyn Blank was named the tam’s Most Valuable Player. This is the second straight year she has won this honor. Senior Deana Everrett earned the team’s most offensive player award. Senior Robin Rushton ws named team’s most defensive player. Redshirt Freshman Erica Henderson was named the team’s most improved player. Senior Stephanie Burgess was selected for the Mountaineer S.O.C.C.E.R. award. The award is given by the coaches to the individual who displays good sportsmanship, optimism, character, concern, effort and respect. The Morgantown, W.Va., native appeared in 21 of 23 matches this season and scored her first career goal against Syracuse.