A Sweet Evening with the Braves

[Da Coach]

I just got back from the Bradley post-season banquet, "A Sweet Evening with the Braves". As usual, Dave Snell was emcee and did his usual fabulous job. The program was outstanding, and there were great tributes to the players and great videos of the team.

There were well over 100 tables with 8 people per table, probably around 850 people in attendance. The food was great! (the menu included "stuffed Jayhawk (Chicken) Italiano with mozzarella cheese, angel hair Panther pasta and Bracket (pineapple) Upside Down Cake for dessert").

There were quite a few of the regular posters there. It was a great finish to the season. There were no new announcements, other than Danny Adams confirming that he would be back for another season (as a grad student).

 

[MacabreMob]

I had a great time. Nice to see ya DC. Saw Tornado from afar but didn't get to say hi. Always glad to see MR. O&B, nice to see you again as well.

Bennet's little talk on the video choked me up a little - it obviously choked up D Snell.

W Franklin cracks me up. He seems to enjoy making the crowd laugh.

All the players were very open for autographs. They were a pleasure to say a couple of words to.

Just a feeling, but I think last night was the last time I will see OB on the Hilltop.

 

[tornado]

Da Coach, there were more than 850 people there.

I did an accurate count, and even asked for confirmation.

There were 106 tables, and slightly more than half of the tables were 10-seat tables, the rest had 8 seats.
The total of seats was 955, but there were a couple no-shows, as three at our table were absent.

It was a great evening and the players and coaches were readily accessable and friendly to the fans and the kids.

Many people praised and thanked each other, but the comment about how the players on the team were repeatedly complimented for being polite, courteous, and pleasant especially as compared to other college players was what I liked hearing the most.
These were and are quality kids and one of the greatest bunch that has ever graced the hardwood at the Hilltop.

Enjoyed talking with Mike Radigan, Mrcoachdude, Da Coach, and a couple other posters as well as some of the fine "behind the scenes" people from BU like the guys who do fund raising and the secretaries. Their work goes under-appreciated.

POB will indeed make himself available for the draft.
But I think after a couple private wrokouts and some predraft appearances, that his "stock" will drop a little, and that he'll have to decide if he wants to leave college to be the 14th pick.
I believe he will as he will decide based on the "bird in the hand" philosophy, and that BU will have an extra scholarship.

Danny Adams will be back as a 5th year senior and he might even get one of those scholarships. He will be a real senior team leader next year along with JJ Tauai & Zach.

The awards were:

Dick Belsly Award: Nick & Dr. Sandra Adkins
Academic Award: Danny Adams
Bob Carney Award (Highest FT Pct.): Daniel Ruffin
Newcomer of the Year: Will Franklin
Most Improved Player: JJ Tauai
Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick O'Bryant
Most Valuable Player: Cellus Sommerville
Chiefs Club Award ("Heart & Soul Award"): Tony Bennett


And one more comment that bothered a little.
Tony Bennett mentioned all the times that Coach Bish called "when he wasn't supposed to".
Oh no--another investigation.....

 

[MacabreMob]

And one more comment that bothered a little. Tony Bennett mentioned all the times that Coach Bish called "when he wasn't supposed to".
Oh no--another investigation.....

That's got me concerned.

Maybe it was only text messaging.

 

[MacabreMob]

Oh, and by the way...

Happy Birthday Charlie Barton!

 

[dogsrus]

I think what he meant was like early in the morning when he was sleeping or just repeated calls "bothering" him (in a good way). Don't think TB meant illegal type calls....

 

[BradleyBrave]

A great night last night, that's for sure. Here's to hoping banquets that big become the norm.