I almost wept on multiple occasions. It was one of the most EMAWvents I have ever been to.
Frank likes the leadership the older guys are showing. He never worries about fights when he travels (laugh moment). The guys police themselves. Recruiting is going well and his inroads he has made will be paying off. People are talking about what we are doing in Manhattan. Keep his wife happy and he will be in Manhattan for a long time. He feels grateful to Weefs and Krause for giving him the shot so he won't run them down but so far Currie and Schultz have indicated they want to be first and will do what it takes. Dicsussions about the practice facility are private but he believes in his heart that it will get built. Team wise, we run really well. Like ridicuously well. Said in years past defending above the rim was non-existent but now every time a shot goes up there are several "big mitts" up there. Said our younger big men will compete with anybody in nation (paraphrase). Macgruder and Russell compliment each other well. Believes in working harder than everyone. He has been doing Catbacker tours with Snyds and Snyds has really shown him "it's about the people" (tearful moment). The Big XII is ridiculously loaded but that is never a reason to not win it. 3rd place is not good enough for him or anyone wearing purple. Denis broke a bone in his hand but will be back. C-Kel lost a lot of weight.
C-Mer. can't believe he is a senior now. Team looks good. He helps where he can etc. Not a whole lot more to say. Was working the room in a Clent Stewart type manner.
C-Kel. Star of show. Tlaked about New York and how Manhattan is so incredibly different but in a way that helps him work hard at basketball and school. Talked about time at Uconn. He is working harder than he ever has but likes it more than ever. Really sounded sincere when he said it has been a huge change but made him a better man and player. Several "awwww" moments. Also did kind of a dance to show how skinny he was later in evening.
JamSam. Handsome. Moves like mercury sliding down an ice luge. Said same things about everyone working hard. Said they would play freshmen early on (to 7 counting 1's and 2's) and destroy them, usually shutting them out, but now they may even lose once in awhile. Excited about season and wants fans to turn out.
Jake. Taking on leadership role. Embraces it. Made several jokes about getting yelled at. Talked about "flipping tires" and getting texts from coach. He is the leader of this team. Also talked about how he wouldn't change coming to KSU for the world. Has friends in the NBA like Bill and Mike and it is a great feeling.
Unds looked sharp. Hung out by the bar, drinking diet coke.
Lots of blue hairs. An olive branch was extended by Lon to Pete in a very public way. I never noticed how short Kietz is. I drank a wagonload of beer.
Some old guy got an award, started what Pete and I assumed would be a jab at Frank for yelling/swearing on sidelines that had Pete sweating and my heart rate up but turned out to be a joke. Watched some black and white footage of said old guy.
I will now take questions from the floor.
