Reading Log again

The next 100 pages of Glory Road mainly focus on the first few seasons at TWC, and the historic 1966 season.  During his first two or three seasons, Haskins' team competed with the best.  They always had winning records and at least made the NIT (National Invitation Tournament).  Haskins continued to recruit black players, not to be a rebel, but to get the best players in the country.  Coach Haskins claimed he never saw color when coaching players, but talent and discipline.  The 1966 season could go down as the most historic season in NCAA history.  It started with a few good wins, followed by a 20 point shellacking of the number four team in the country.  Haskins knew his team was for real and they went undefeated until the final game of the regular season, where they lost to Seattle.  They went hard into the tournament and beat the first few opponents easily, then came Kentucky in the championship.  Haskins made history that game, becoming the first coach to start all black kids in the game, a first for men's or women's basketball.  They fought hard in the game and eventually won, a National Championship for Texas Western College.

Reading Log

So far this quarter I have not been up to par with keeping up with my logs.  But recently I have been reading Glory Road, a quick biography and a recollection of the events of the 1966 men's basketball season for college.  This was a monumental story for the advancement of black players in college sports.  At small Texas Western College, coach Don Haskins was having trouble recruiting the best white players, so he eventually turned to recruiting the playgrounds of New York City, Gary Indiana, and other black players around the country.  A hard-nosed and extremely vocal coach was what the players who chose Texas Western found when they arrived on campus.  You come late to dinner, you are now suspended.  You have a girlfriend, and become suspended. The first 100 pages mainly cover Haskins personal life, however, and his climb from high school superstar, to college role player, to high school girls coach, and finally to head men's basketball coach at TWC.  His mentors and former coaches were the predominant path finders for Haskins as a coach.

Note 2 & 3

2--

This memorable scene from the movie, Miracle, was a turning point in the movie and helped the team unite before the Olympics.  The frustrated, brash, and irritated remarks of coach Herb Brooks serve as a launching pad for a leader to step up and show his courage.  The threatening and wrathful voice of the coach belittles the players and some were on the verge of quitting.  Coach Brooks challenges why the players are on the team as he powerfully exclaims, "The name on the front [of the jersey, USA] is a hell of a lot more important that than the one on the back [player name]!"  The cruel voice of Brooks repeatedly yells, "Again!" and makes the players skate across and back the rink.  As the skating continues, the harsh fury of Brooks takes its toll on the players, they are puking, hacking, and suffering.  Eventually, the convincing passion in the voice of one player stands out. Mike Eruzione claims he is a member of the United States of America, the first player to not name their college team.  This leadership and courage shows the elevated sincerity Eruzione showed for his team, and Coach Brooks' frustrated arrogance finally disappeared

3--

The poem "D-Day, A Sound Beginning" by Peter Griffin gives an explosive yet appreciative look on what D-Day was about, and the courage showed by the soldiers.  The powerful recollection of "brave men dying" and "bullets flying" depict a fearful anxiety of what was going to happen next within World War II.  This poem mainly focuses on the paratroopers and how "seizing objectives" and "securing causeways" helped the outcome of D-Day.  The passionate joy expressed at the end of the poem conveys a calmness among the sodiers as, "The sound of freedom, allies winning/ twas the start of something great," The courageousness of the paratroopers that day as described by Griffin shows a dignified appreciation of what paratroopers did  and why "Europe's freedom still survives."

D-DAY, A SOUND BEGINNINGParatroopers relax, while on flight to Southern FranceAnticipation is a strange thing, The invasion of Europe, in the offing. Will we go?, will we not?, My head is spinning, stomach in knots. Boarding the plane, adjusting your gear, None of the men, showing much fear. Well briefed, we know what to expect, Engines roaring, time to reflect. Remembering home, the loved ones there, Pleasant memories, planes take to the air. Paratroopers will lead the way, The invasion of France, is underway. To catch the Germans by surprise, Airborne soldiers, will jump and die. "D-Day", has begun, Soon Hitler's armies on the run. Flying in the dark of night, The planes are bobbing left and right. Enemy guns are firing high, Tracer bullets light up the sky. June 6th, of forty four, Never have so many, "stood in the door". As the light turned from red to green, "Bill Lee", was the scream. Before I knew it, my chute was open, Planes on fire, my breath was choking. Bullets flying, brave men dying, Looking down, still hear the sounds. German soldiers running around, Buildings on fire, throughout the town. Paratroopers landing everywhere, Firing their "Thompsons", from the air. The Cherbourg Peninsula, all a drop zone, Troopers and gliders, some landing alone. Clicking their "crickets", all did regroup, Creating chaos, confusing Nazi troops. Inflicting damage, wherever they went, Enemy soldiers, forced to relent. Paratroopers were paving the way, Seizing objectives and securing causeways. To open exits for the beaches, Seaborne troops would be soon reaching. Normandy would soon be stormed, Nazi soldiers not forwarned. Caught unaware and by surprise, Enemy soldiers were quick to die. Trying hard, to hold their own, Dying Nazi's were heard to groan. Heavy fighting, brought to bear, Airborne victories were quite clear. German's couldn't counterattack, Paratroopers would cut no slack. Capturing roadways, bridges and locks, Airborne soldiers couldn't be stopped. Taking objectives as they went, Nazi resistance was badly spent. As a result of the Airborne mission, Normandy's beaches became aquisitions. H-Hour was a success, Many Nazis were laid to rest. "D-Day" opened the door, Allied victories thus assured. Cherbourg became an open port, Nazi Germany became a fort. "D-DAY, A SOUND BEGINNING!", The sound of freedom, allies winning. Twas the start of something great, Airborne soldiers, sealing Hitler's fate. The cost was high, the price was paid, Many crosses mark their graves. Paratroopers fought and died, But Europe's freedom still survives. Thank you all, for what you've done, You Airborne heroes, everyone!Peter S. GRIFFIN

                 

Spring Break Log

Well, I forgot my book at home as the morning was hectic before we left for the Airport.  I did read the SkyMall catalog while on the plane as well as an assortment of articles about sports news.  Oh and plenty of menu's. Obviously, I did not reach my goal.

Video Clip

This clip is from the movie, Miracle, about the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team who overcame all odds to win the gold medal.  This scene is after the first scrimmage when they tie the Norwegian national team, 2 months before the Olympic games.  The leadership shown by Mike Eruzione (sp) shows he belongs on the team and he becomes an eventual captain.


Skip to 3:30