Tuesday, March 4, 2008

A Personal Tribute

Today, Rights Boy wants to talk about men’s college basketball; specifically the Drake University Bulldogs.

Every once in a while something takes Right Boy’s mind away from watchin’ out for you, and makes him just sit back and marvel at an amazing, uplifting story. This year, the Bulldogs are such a story. They have had the greatest basketball season in Rights Boy’s adult life. They have won the Missouri Valley Conference for the first time since 1971; after being picked in the pre-season by so-called experts to finish ninth out of ten teams. They won it all!

With a conference record of 15-3, an overall record of 25-4, a win streak of 21 games, and ranked in the NCAA top 25 for the first time in 33 years, they were simply a pleasure to watch.

At the end of the last conference game against Wichita State, the three seniors were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the team.

Leonard Houston, whose father is in prison, was an inspirational story: overcame all odds against him, became an A student as a high school senior, sat on the bench at Drake for three season, and just exploded this year. You can read a great story on Houston at:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080301/SPORTS020403/803010324/1097


Klayton Korver, from Pella, IA, has been a star on the team for four years and was second in 3-pointers, behind Josh Young. As part of ‘Iowa’s First Family of Basketball,’ Klayton is destined to follow his older brother, Kyle, to the NBA.

Adam Emmenecker, a walk-on (!) led the MVC conference in assists, was the NCAA Academic All-American Player of the Year, and has a good shot to be the MVC Player of the Year. He carries a 3.97 GPA and has four majors! That dude is going to walk into any Fortune 500 company he chooses.

Drake University does NOT mess around with academics; you can’t play sports at Drake and be a bozo in the classroom. The collective GPA of this team is one of the highest in the nation.

Finally, what can you say about Keno Davis? Wins it all in his first coaching season! He is a shoo-in to be the MVC Coach of the Year and has a good shot at the NCAA National Coach of the Year. The genes must run strong in the Davis Family! Dr. Tom turned the team over to son Keno this year, after coaching Drake last year to its first winning season since 1986. It was so great to watch Dr. Tom in the stands this year, just beaming with pride about the team and son Keno.

No matter what happens in the MVC tournament or the NCAA tournament, Drake has had the greatest basketball season since Rights Boy attended, way back in the day. Never thought I’d see it again in my lifetime.


The Rights Wife, not exactly a rabid sports fan, really got into it this year too!

Go Bulldogs! You have made the Drake Nation so proud once again!

Update: Today, Adam Emmenecker was named MVC Player of the Year, joining the likes of Larry Bird and Xavier McDaniel. Emmenecker received 25 out of 40 first-place votes.

On Thursday, Keno Davis was named the MVC Coach of the Year.

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