Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Reboot Has Been My Theme
10/23/2013 12:00:00 AM | General
Oct. 23, 2013
Reboot Has Been My Theme
The football team suffered a heartbreaking loss on a last second field goal, October 12th versus Marshall. It was crushing to see the team come so close, the fans so excited and many of the staff members (not coaches) with smiles on their faces until the final seconds of the game.
I have been around college athletics since 1984. I would like to say that was the year I was born but that is double digits earlier. I can truly say there is nothing that effects the athletic department, as a whole, like college football. The closest thing might be post-season play for any other team. The prep work for a football game is like no other sport. Following a victory the office atmosphere is upbeat the hopes are high. Following a loss, I generally know what to say. Following the Marshall game, I was speechless. And, it would be two weeks before FAU would have another mood swinging game and it will be Auburn, which is coming off a huge win for their program under their second-year coach
So, what do you do each day? Sunday follow Saturday's game I went to five FAU athletic events: two soccer matches, volleyball, softball and a baseball intra-squad. Then on Monday the athletic department hosted a fundraiser from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday was the first day in the office and it was extremely quiet as most were catching a little R&R and the coaches were away recruiting. Wednesday, I visited the USTA Academy to talk with them about social media and how to strengthen their skills. It is amazing to look in a 12-year old athlete's eyes that are driven and focused and it is amazing they have a place like the USTA that can help them fulfill their dreams.
Thursday and Friday the Owls were back on the practice field. So life seemed somewhat normal. I still had the weekend to go and it would be my first weekend since July. What to do? What to do? Saturday morning I got to watch my son play baseball for school team. Well, some of the game because my younger son had a football game in Stuart. I miss most of these with work so what I thought would be fun was just plan interesting. I missed all of the baseball game because the football game was moved up two hours. They lost 11-0 so maybe that was a good thing. The football practices have been entertaining so I didn't know what to expect for the "game day". I didn't expect the youth teams to be decked in pink for cancer awareness, one coach to be sitting out because he was ejected the week before a player to be ejected during the game and parents fighting with coaches and the chain crew on the sideline.
Oh, just to see focused 12 year-old eyes. The ride home was fun and reinforced the importance of parent child relationships. So, on Sunday I loaded into my car and headed to Lakeland, a three-hour trip one way, to visit my father who recently underwent hip surgery. If a little time with my son meant so much to me, maybe I could lift his spirits too. After several hours with him, it was back into the car and back to Boca and "game week".
Coach Pelini, Jaquez Johnson and Trevon Coley participated in the Monday sit down with the media and Trevon Coley joined Coach Pelini and Ken LaVicka Monday night on the radio show. It is nice to settle back into a routine. Most of our office's work for the Auburn game has been completed and the mind has started to drift towards Tulane which is having a stellar season thus far. You can catch this week's game at Auburn on FSN, ESPN3 and Duffy's in Deerfield is hosting a watch party. Ken LaVicka will have the radio call at ESPN 106.3 or on www.fausports.com.
I for one, probably, needed the bye week, but boy I'm glad to return to game week. Let's Go Owls!
