BobcatAttack.com - For Fans of Ohio University Sports

Welcome Guest!
Create an Account

site search

about us

advertise with us

help

BobcatAttack.com Message Board

Ohio Basketball

Topic: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Topic: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Author

Message

Obc2
General User

Member Since: 11/8/2007
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 597

Status: Offline

Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/15/2014 9:02:01 PM

First, major props to the Ohio Bobcat Club and Ohio University for hosting a first class event at The Montgomery Inn tonight. The buffet was great: ribs, Saratoga chips, potato skins, brushetta, assorted cheeses and veggies. Free ribs king is rare and even more delicious.

*I unknowingly first met Saul Phillips upon entering room. There was a glare from windows and I didn't recognize him at all. He was quite affable and joked he was expanding his employment options by mastering greeter skill set.

*Saul was ADAMANT he was going to watch his 10 year old daughter graduate from Athens high school. Guaranteed.

*Saul said recruiting Ohio would be a strong focus. The entire roster won't be Ohioans but it will be a significant percentage.

*Saul spoke glowingly of the recruiting class and said Ohio will be recruiting for this year, literally, until the first day of classes.

I'll save some more details for others who attended and their replies...

PS *Brandon Hunter, and his fiancee, attended. Lovely couple.

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,223

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/15/2014 9:21:31 PM

Obc2 wrote:

*Saul was ADAMANT he was going to watch his 10 year old daughter graduate from Athens high school. Guaranteed.

*Saul said recruiting Ohio would be a strong focus. The entire roster won't be Ohioans but it will be a significant percentage.

*Saul spoke glowingly of the recruiting class and said Ohio will be recruiting for this year, literally, until the first day of classes.

I'll save some more details for others who attended and their replies...

PS *Brandon Hunter, and his fiancee, attended. Lovely couple.

This is huge. At my 40th high school reunion last year, I spent some time talking with a classmate who played football for and started for Michigan. One of the things that we talked about was the engagement of their alumni and how many guys show up for big games. Engaging OU alumni at functions like this is the first step in building pride and promise for this program. I'm not sure that it's a full time job, but this should be a major part of someone's job in the Convo.

OU_Country
General User

Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,370

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/16/2014 11:44:17 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

Obc2 wrote:

*Saul was ADAMANT he was going to watch his 10 year old daughter graduate from Athens high school. Guaranteed.

*Saul said recruiting Ohio would be a strong focus. The entire roster won't be Ohioans but it will be a significant percentage.

*Saul spoke glowingly of the recruiting class and said Ohio will be recruiting for this year, literally, until the first day of classes.

I'll save some more details for others who attended and their replies...

PS *Brandon Hunter, and his fiancee, attended. Lovely couple.

I can't express enough how much I'm in agreement with this. I've mentioned the idea of "Alumni Day" during hoops season to ticket folks, and this would be a great addition to that idea. Alumni of all kinds would turn out for a Saturday afternoon that included the return of alumni basketball players of all ages. Heck, do a double header with the ladies and include their alumni as well.

jpmo
General User

Member Since: 12/14/2005
Post Count: 61

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/16/2014 3:29:59 PM

How cool would it be to have an Alumni Green/White Game? I would clear my schedule to see some of the guys from the past 15-20 yrs comeback. It would also be a fantastic opportunity to bring in recruiting prospects.

You don't have to outrun the bear...just the other guy.

Jeff McKinney
Moderator

Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,155

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/16/2014 4:15:35 PM

Thanks, obc2!

shabamon
General User

Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
Post Count: 6,865

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/16/2014 4:26:16 PM

Tangentially, I am very hopeful the 2005 team is honored for the 10th anniversary of their MAC championship as that was my freshman year.

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,223

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/16/2014 5:29:27 PM

shabamon wrote:

Tangentially, I am very hopeful the 2005 team is honored for the 10th anniversary of their MAC championship as that was my freshman year.

One of the things that I've learned from one of my best friends and an early 80's sports ad grad, is the value of institutional history. So many times new administrators come in and want to put their mark on the program. Tom Boeh fell into that category and I'm afraid Schaus initially did too. I see that changing and can only hope that a sense of historical perspective and appreciation can build in the years to come. I say that from the standpoint of a guy who received his undergrad degree from Muskingum, not OU, but has become an Athenian local and loyal Bobcat.

Hawaiian Bobcat
General User

Member Since: 1/31/2005
Location: Wailuku, HI
Post Count: 334

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/16/2014 7:30:37 PM

If there are still holes in next year's schedule, give Bryant a call and schedule a game. Enough time has passed and the reunion would seem incomplete without TOS. It would also seem incomplete without Jeremy Fears. Would we welcome Fears back? The video montage before the game would have to either start or end with the "Ohio, Ohio and Ohio" quote.

Obc2
General User

Member Since: 11/8/2007
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 597

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/17/2014 8:37:06 AM

I kept the initial recap a tad short since I typed it on the cel. A couple more thoughts and observations:

Saul was very passionate about our school, campus and city. He said he had three recruits on campus, three signees...but he wasn't THAT good a salesman. The place sold itself. I must admit I knew within fifteen minutes of arriving in Athens I'd be attending school there. Saul gets it.

Jim Schaus implored alumni who haven't been back recently too get back to Athens. Asap. I must admit I had guilt and walked away with football family plan season tix. I have three active teenagers and it will be a challenge but I plan on seeing 1-2 games at Peden.

I forgot to add Tree Setty's mom attended. Both head coaches acknowledged his work effort in weight room and his speaking volume. Ha!

Saul also said playing tempo has always been dictated by his roster. He hopes to run a quite a bit this season, while emphasizing strong defense and ball control offense. No turnovers!

Mark Lembright '85
General User

Member Since: 8/22/2010
Location: Highland Heights, OH
Post Count: 2,460

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/17/2014 10:00:46 AM

Obc2 wrote:

I kept the initial recap a tad short since I typed it on the cel. A couple more thoughts and observations:

Thanks Obc2. The more I read about Coach Phillips the more I like him!

Jeff McKinney
Moderator

Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,155

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/17/2014 1:03:09 PM

What was the estimated attendance?

Obc2
General User

Member Since: 11/8/2007
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 597

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/18/2014 12:06:05 PM

I'd say 40-50. Room was full, but not packed cheek to cheek.

I highly recommend attending any Caravan but Saul takes it yo another level. He, literally, invited anyone to stay at his house provided they install his kids' bunk bed. He tried putting it together earlier that day without success. He even offered to drive said alum back to Cincy afterwards. Very witty and likeable.

lovebobcat
General User

Member Since: 12/23/2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 521

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/20/2014 11:17:00 PM

jpmo wrote:

Tangentially related, Miami recently had some kind of "Hall of Fame Day" and had John Harbaugh back to town. MU unveiled a statue of him for its Cradle of Coaches area at the football stadium.

Whatever all was involved in that event, it ended up at least giving MU one big boost. Several football recruits were on hand, and Loveland High School's Ian Leever was so impressed that he gave a verbal commitment that day. I live in Loveland, and he had been seriously considering OU.

It'd be nice to think that alumni-type events that could be shown off for recruits might possibly help us tilt the scales and land a football or basketball player here or there. I'd love to see an alumni basketball game, but even just bringing back former players to be introduced at halftime of game -- and naming off all their accomplishments, such as our basketball players who do well overseas -- could be a nice touch to show that we send kids on to pro careers.

bornacatfan
General User

Member Since: 8/3/2006
Post Count: 5,716

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/20/2014 11:41:28 PM

word was pretty favorable out of Lancaster tonite. Locals pretty impressed with Saul and his message. Frank as always, was entertaining from reports.

Good to hear Saul is on track and getting the word out in an impressive manner. Good info coming out of OU Lancaster. Anyone else on here in attendance?.

never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Winter comes and asks how you spent your summer.....

The game loves and rewards those who love and reward the game

HeHateMiami
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Mason, OH
Post Count: 473

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/30/2014 3:14:03 PM

hawaiian bobcat wrote:

I think you'd start it with the "Ohio, Ohio, and Ohio" and use that as a springboard into the story of the tournament run. Lots of great moments for a montage... Troutman's crazy reverse layup vs. Miami, Fears backflipping, Leon's tip-in, Clay McGowan running around the court like a maniac after the tip-in, Green tying it up vs. Florida and the arena going bonkers. Good stuff.

shabamon
General User

Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
Post Count: 6,865

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/30/2014 4:24:05 PM

I have mixed feelings about inviting Fears back to campus for any such honoring.

Hawaiian Bobcat
General User

Member Since: 1/31/2005
Location: Wailuku, HI
Post Count: 334

Status: Offline

RE: Cincinnati Caravan recap

Posted: 5/30/2014 6:30:47 PM

shabamon wrote:

I have mixed feelings about inviting Fears back to campus for any such honoring.

If you only remember the 04-05 Jeremy Fears, then he is a must invite. The 05-06 Jeremy Fears can stay at home. I doubt he'd come if an invitation was extended to him. Fears and Williams junior and senior years should've been really special. Again 10 years is a long time, hopefully Jeremy has grown up.

Showing Replies:	1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Jump to Page:	1

View Other 'Ohio Basketball' Topics

There are 182 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

182 Guests
0 Registered Users

There are no other users looking at this page.