Coaches Corner: Girls Rule The World

I have been giddy for weeks about my interview with Stephanie Richman, wife to the new Head Coach of Bison Basketball, David Richman! I have been dear friends with Stephanie for about 5 years, and I can truly say she is my role model! Like honestly, I want to grow up and be just like her! She is a wonderful mother, friend, wife, and she is a workout enthusiast! Oh, and she has the best personal style and interior decorating that any lady would envy! But, you can't envy her because she is just too darn sweet, so you try to duplicate.

How has the first few months of being the First Lady of Bison basketball been going?

The first few months as First Lady of Bison basketball has been filled with a lot of different emotions. Excitement is the first emotion that comes to mind. David has been waiting to take the reign at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and for his dream to come true has truly been exciting. The day we told the girls that daddy was going to be the new head coach at NDSU was priceless. Their faces were filled with so much excitement! Lots of screams of joy were screeched and happy dances were danced. They proudly told everyone (strangers included) that their daddy was the new head coach.

I remember talking to Nicole, Saul Phillips' wife, before David had even gotten the job, and telling her I didn’t feel like a lot would change from him being the Associate Head Coach to the Head Coach. She said “Oh honey, things will change!” and boy was she right. One of the biggest changes is all the random people that come up to David to congratulate him or just want to make small talk. I will later ask him, “Do you know that person?” Most often, he says no and to me that is crazy! I’m adjusting to him being in the spotlight. About a week after being named head coach he received an envelope at work from Cass County Jail. He opened it up to find a beautifully hand sketched drawing of him and the girls that came from the front page of the forum that week. I have to admit it was a little creepy at first but after doing some research it was just an inmate using his talents.

Another adjustment for me is all the NDSU functions we now attend. It has been so much fun meeting NDSU supporters, fans, and staff. Many new friendships have been formed from these functions. Hey, it also allows David and I the opportunity to have more “date nights” which has been great. That’s always a plus because combining the time commitment college coaching entails and adding 4 little kids on top of that, date nights become few and far in-between.

I will admit a few tears have been shed along the way also. College coaching is a very selfish occupation that pulls David away from family. He’s not home every night to tuck the girls into bed; he’s had to miss school functions and birthdays; and not always home for family dinners and holidays. There are days you just break but then you pick yourself back up and remind yourself of all the great things college coaching has to offered for our family.

What has been the best experience thus far?

I would have to say the day David was named head coach; him calling me and telling me he got the job and bringing all the girls to his press conference. It was something we will never forget and was truly special for us all.

I see you guys recently did a staff trip to Iowa. How did that come about?

Our staff trip to Iowa for the NDSU vs. Iowa State football game was a blast! Basically David told me they were going to make it a “staff re-treat” weekend. Well, after hearing that, I just took it into my own hands and invited all us ladies to come along. He thought that was a great idea, as did all of the assistants. Family is very important to David and I. It is our goal to extend that into our staff because we are a “Bison Family” - it is who we are. We are looking forward to many more Bison Family get-togethers!

How was the game?

The atmosphere was absolutely amazing! It is so fun to see the following that Bison Nation gets. It was 80+ degrees and super hot so by the end of the game we were all a hot sweaty mess, but the outcome was all worth it!

It seems like the “new” staff is doing well, including the wives, fiances and girlfriends! And, lots of newly engaged folks right? Are you helping the girls plan their weddings?

The new staff and their families are so much fun to be around. We all get along great! I told the ladies I feel like we have known each other for years. We are each others' back bones and support system, which is so important to have in this profession.

We are so excited for Jayden and Katie, and Josh and Halie! They both got engaged about a week apart. I look forward to helping out in any way they want me to. I have already gotten a sneak peek at Katie’s wedding shoes. They look fab!! Brynlie is going to be the flower girl in Jayden and Katie’s wedding. Shh…she doesn’t know yet but I can’t wait to see her face when they ask her :)

Talking about weddings and marriage, how long have you and David been married?

David and I have been married for 9 years….man where has the time gone?!?!

Tell us a little about that courtship? How did you meet? And, how did he propose?

David claims I was the one to make the first move but I like to disagree with him! We didn’t officially meet until we were both at NDSU, but our connections go back to North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS). He remembers seeing me on my campus visit his last year at NDSCS. I made the decision to play basketball at NDSCS and his dad was the Athletic Director at the time. David would come to some of our games and that’s when I started to notice him. Two years later at Reeb’s Sports Bar I casually went up to him and introduced myself, making the connection that I knew his dad. Ok…so I guess I probably did make the first move but "shh" we won’t let David think that! I like to play hard to get! I guess the old saying goes “and the rest was history!”

The proposal: We got engaged on a recruiting trip….pretty fitting huh? David had asked me to fly down to Orlando with him during their July recruiting period. I spent the first full day by myself in the hotel room while he watched AAU games, day two continued like that and by this time I thought to myself “well this stinks!” I was getting a little irritated! Later that night we went out for supper and he took me on a little walk at Disney’s Boardwalk. It was beautiful scenery for a late night stroll. David pulled me aside down under a bridge and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was a moment that will never be forgotten! I even remember what I was wearing. We were able to enjoy the rest of the trip together relaxing and site seeing.

Ok, so a lot has happened for the Richman Crew in the last 9 years. You now have 4 daughters! Tell us a little about each of them

Yes a lot has happened in the past 9 years! Nine years and four beautiful blue-eyed girls later!! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would have 4 girls ages 7, 5, and twin 3-year-olds by the age of 30. We feel so blessed and wouldn’t change it for anything!

-Miss Mallorie is a 1st grader already! She loves school and anything that involves singing and dancing. Drama is her middle name! She takes after her momma and likes to worry a lot. She is a rule follower. Last year the teacher told the class they should be in bed by 8 and if it was a minute past then, she would be in tears. She likes to please, make others feel good, and has the biggest heart.

-Miss Brynlie is 5 and is starting to finally enjoy her last year of preschool. She really enjoys staying at home with mommy most days. When asked what she wants to be when she grows up she states “a mommy!” That fits her to a T. She is our mother hen of the group. Having twin sisters is so much fun for her because there is always someone to play house with. It is guaranteed if one doesn't want to be her baby the other one will. Brynlie is also our responsible one. I can ask her to get the twins dressed and in the suburban and there is no question it will get done. Don’t ask her to take a picture with Thundar, NDSU mascot, because that will not happen - she is not a fan!

-Kenlie and Ellie just turned 3 in September. Can we say BUSY?!?! These two little blonde’s are sure to steal anyone’s heart. Not sure if it’s because they are twins or just because they are so darn cute, but anytime we are out people just gravitate to them. There is no sign of shyness here as they will talk anyone’s ear off (especially Kenlie). David tells her to catch her breath all the time. I would say that Kenlie is more of the momma’s girl and needier, but just as I say that they switch personalities. They are best of friends! When one is in trouble the other one is right there to bail her out. If one gets hurt the other is right there for hugs and kisses. They love to go..go..go! Ask them about Thundar and Kenlie will bravely stick out her hand for a high-five but with an unsure look on her face and Ellie immediately clings to me with tears rolling down her face. You would think as much as they see him they would think Thundar is their best friend, but he is rather large!

The girls are always dressed so darn cute in green and gold, where do you shop for them?
Believe it or not I am a bargain shopper! I have to admit it is pretty fun shopping for 4 girls. They need to have a few staple NDSU attire outfits like there cheerleading outfits, but I love dressing them up in cute colored jeans, cute sweaters, leggings and tutu’s that are green and gold colors and pair it with some adorable shoes or boots. I never buy a whole outfit at once. I usually buy something that is Bison colors and pull it together with something I have in their closets. Katie, fiancé to Jayden Olson, made the most adorable sweatshirts for them. We are sure to get compliments on them. Some of my favorite stores are Gap, Old Navy and Target.

And what about you, where do you enjoy shopping the most?

Gap is my go to store! I seem to always walk out of there with something in my hand. I do enjoy treating myself to a nice pair of Lululemon yoga pants or something nice from anthropology, Banana Republic or Hot Momma.

Ok, so a few more questions…How do you balance being a coach’s wife, mother, pharmacist, sister, runner and so much more?

I get this question a lot. My answer is “you just do it!” I do it without really thinking about it and everything seems to fall into place. We are really fortunate to have both families close. They are here to help anytime we need it. David may not be home every night but when he is home he is in full blown parent and hubby mode. He’s an amazing daddy whether it’s wrestling around with the girls; helping Mallorie with homework; or wearing the hat of our main laundry man and dishwasher. It makes my job a lot easier with help from him.

I feel blessed to be able to work two days a week as a pharmacist and have the rest of the week at home with the girls. It’s a perfect balance for me. It gives me my much needed adult interaction, but that special time with our girls as well. They grow up way too fast the way it is.

Working out is one of my top priorities and is something I do to start my day off. Many days that means I may only get six hours of sleep, but it’s my stress reliever and a must do on my list. Having four active little ones keeps me motivated to stay young and fit.

Any marathons in your near future? (May I boast Stephanie ranked top 20 area runners in her age group for the 2013 Fargo Marathon! Yes, this girl can run!)

Running a full marathon has always been something on my bucket list. I love challenges and if I commit to something I am in it 100%. My training runs went really well but the day of the marathon was a rough one. It got really humid and the sun beating down draining all my energy. I swore I would never run another marathon after the pain I felt, but I am a competitor (just as David). I know my run could have been better so to answer your question….yes, I probably will do another marathon but nothing on paper yet.

Last question-what advice to you have for “new” coach’s wives and those that are engaged to coaches?

1.-As a former college athlete myself, I understand the time and commitment it takes to be a college coach. You have to learn to become independent because your husband will not always be home to help with supper, bedtime, fix the drain when it’s plugged, etc.

2-Find a good support group. Having people that understand your husband’s job isn’t the typical 8-5 is paramount. Having that support from family, friends, co-workers and other coach's wives is so important in living a happy life as a coach’s wife.

3-It’s ok to break down and cry when you have had a long day and are on day four or five of your husband or fiance not being home to only realize they have a recruiting trip planned for the day they return home. A good cry is good therapy and brings me back to #2.

4- Be their #1 fan on and off the court! There will be days he comes home after losing a close game, getting the call that one of their recruits has committed to another program, being told one of their players will be out for the rest of the season due to an injury, and dealing with decisions 18-23 year-olds are making. These are the times they need you the most to pick them up and tell them it will be ok

I hope all of Bison Nation is heading to the men's basketball kick-off game tonight at 7pm (CST) vs Minot State. If you go, say "hello" to Stephanie and the girls. I haven't seen her in a few months, but speak with her at least once a week! Hoping we have another reunion at this year's Final Four!

Michelyn

March Madness Upsets Galore!

Yesterday I shared about my dismay for my sprained ankle and the fact that the Toledo Rockets' season has come to an end. I also asked readers to share some of their disappointments or upsets of late. Well, my 10 readers had nothing for me, which is ok with me. Today, I have a few March Madness upsets that I am elated about. Isn't it funny how quickly one's mood can change. Well, don't get me wrong, I am pretty bummed about this ankle situation, but I do believe that a few days of rest will do the ankle good! And, I need to thank the members of the National Black Marathoners Association Facebook page for all their recommendations and wise suggestions. I had never posted any inquiries on the page, but simply felt compelled to ask the veterans their advice about my marathon trajectory. To my astonishments, the advise came running in (pun intended), hehe.

The first upset of the NCAA tournament was Dayton beating Ohio State University. From my standpoint, people too often assume that the high major teams and/or the high-seads will beat the mid-major teams. I was pretty pleased to see this in-state rivalry game end the way it did. It just further proves that their is great talent at all levels in college basketball.

But, The University of Florida (Go Gators!) and University Wisconsin-Madison (On Wisconsin!) are simply superior, in all respects, and if you put them high on your bracket you are one smart cookie.

Now, the Cinderella story of the 2014 NCAA tournament no doubt is the NDSU Bison men's team! Hell to the yeah! If you missed this game, the highlights will only give you a small glimpse into the pure excitement and thriller of a game that was had. Here are the three highlights of the game, in my opinion:

3. Freshman guard, Carlin Dupree whose fade reminds me of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air hit two free-throws after sitting the bench for nearly 40 minutes. So basically, what I am saying people, Carlin was not "lose" in basketball terms, and went out there and made buckets! And, did I mention he is a freshman?!!?

2. Got to go back to my boy Carlin. In OT, with only about 40 seconds left in the game, Carlin drove and made a gutsy lay-up which pushed the Bison up four!

1. The number one play of the game, hands down, goes to Senior point guard Lawrence Alexander, better known as LA. With seconds on the clock, in regulation, and down by 3 LA swished the hottest three of the day!

And then, the highlights after the game; brought tears of joy. I am such a stinking sap, but I love it!

Question of the Day: How is your bracket fairing thus far?

Michelyn

Kindness is Contagious: The Kemp Edition

For those of you residing in the Fargo/Moorhead, you may be familiar with Nicole Phillips, wife of Bison men’s head basketball coach Saul Phillips’, weekly columns in The Forum newspaper. Her weekly columns entitled, “Kindness is Contagious,” document different “acts” of kindness and generosity in an effort to showcase how joyful and caring “others” can be towards strangers or simply those in their community. 

Well, this evening after gifting Jason’s beloved and first manly grill to a set of newlyweds, I decided to check the mail. I was surprised to see one envelope from the parents of my former co-worker. As I walked up the stairs, I jogged my memory as to why I would be receiving a letter from her parents since she no longer resides in Fargo and I had already received her wedding thank you. When I opened the card this is what I found:

The newspaper article from The Forum telling the world that Coach Kemp was moving on. Ok, so I have talked enough about him moving on, but the gesture and note were so sweet and kind. I shed a tear that my former co-worker’s mother would think to cut out the article, send it to me, and write such a special note of congratulations and well-wishes. See, the thing is, both Coach Kemp and I had neglected to get a newspaper with the said article. And, as my former co-worker’s mother stated: “mothers and grandmothers like these types of things.”

I am still smiling!

Michelyn

Many Thanks, Fargo

Granted I have a few more weeks to reside in the state of North Dakota, I wanted to take a moment to reflect and thank the many wonderful people that I have had the pleasure to befriend and opportunities that have been bestowed upon me.

During the summer of 2011, I moved to Fargo, ND to join my then fiancé. If you have read ‘Our Story’ or the ‘Coach Kemp’ page then you will know that Coach Kemp had been working in MN/ND area as men’s basketball coach for several years. Once we got engaged (and many months prior) we had planned that I would move to Fargo, so then we could end our long-distance relationship. Moving to Fargo was simple, Jason had established a tight-knit group of friends and I just fell smitten with all of their wives/girlfriends. Every person that I have met in our athletic crew (football, basketball, soccer, etc.) has been simply wonderful. I do have a few friends whose husband’s jobs have them moving frequently, and I must attest that coaches’ wives and families are so welcoming. I believe this is because we are so used to the constant relocation and our husbands are on the road. I like to think of it as a “sisterly bond.”

I will truly miss the women that I have grown accustomed sitting next to at Bison basketball games, especially our varied conversations. It is funny after games when Jason asks my opinion of the game… Hmm, typically I watch about 1/3 of the game. The remaining portion, I am talking, entertaining kiddos, or daydreaming about something else. Then there are those nail-biting games in which I am screaming at the refs, even though I have no clue what I am yelling at, or wishing someone would call/text for a distraction. As you can see, my life truly revolves around understanding the sport of basketball… not so much. I truly hope the Toledo wives are as clueless as I. Unfortunately/fortunately; one is a former basketball player herself… I am certain she will try to sit at the opposite end of the row, ha.

What I am most grateful for was the opportunity to work in am amazing school district and then education service agency this year. When we first decided that I was going to forego an APPIC internship, much was on the line. I had spent nearly five years working towards my degree, and making the decision to do non-traditional internship was pretty risky. However, I have realized that God truly has a plan for each one of us. After beginning my internship, a door opened which allowed me to not only work in the state of MN but also ND. How lucky was I? Well, you have no idea?!?! Working in both states allowed me to widen my breadth of experiences vastly. I so cherish the relationships formed with the school personnel in both states. My time in ND deepened my practical understanding of Response to Intervention (RTI) which was strongly emphasized in my graduate training program.  This past year, being employed with an education service agency has provided me the opportunity to work with so many varied school districts and amazing individuals, many of whom are female. Honestly, the crew I work with is astounding. I am simply honored to have had the pleasure of working with them for this short period of time.

There was absolutely no way that I could leave Fargo without stating my deep gratitude for those who have crossed my path. I hope to stay in touch with many, and am certain their lives will continue to prosper.

With Love, Appreciation, & Gratitude,

Michelyn

And yes, about 1 month ago Jason finally made me watch the movie Fargo. Not sure if that had some affect on our move :)

Winning in the National Capital

It is such a wonderful time to be a NDSU Bison! Gene Taylor, the Athletic Director, is living the good life and BBB could not be more happy for him and his family!

Well, the boys did what I expected of them; they Won their third road game of the season! The game verse Towson was a great showcase of the capabilities of the team especially the players coming off the bench!

And then, the boys had a tour of our National Capital!

Below, the team in front of the Capitol Building from afar, lol.

And then the guys headed over to the place our proposal. Aww... I am sure Jason reminisced about that special night!

Overall, I would say they had a blast.

Up next, the MBB host Morehead on Friday night.

Michelyn

Mayhem in Minneapolis

A huge storm hit the Midwest late Saturday night/early Sunday morning and seemed to bring a haze over the Minneapolis area... This is my excuse for the set-back experienced by the Bison men on Tuesday night.

First Half Recap:
Short and simple, the guys played them even up until the last 3 minutes of the half. And then.... the Gophers went on an electric run in which they scored 8 unanswered points! Yikes, the Gophers ended the first half to lead by 11 points.

Second Half Recap:
The Bison started out the half cutting the lead to 8 and battled all the way to the end. But, they were out rebounded which proved to be too much to overcome. However in this half the Bison played the Gophers to a 2-point deficit. Their were plenty of positives to take away from this game as the Gophers are a Top 15 team in the nation, but I know the boys were not satisfied!

Check out this ESPN article about the game.

Next up the Bison travel to Maryland to play Towson!

Congrats to the Bison Football team for winning last night. They will head to the NCAA FCS National Championship once again in Texas. Yeehaa!

I have been slacking in my bi-weekly nail updates. I had to run out of the salon to meet a group of ladies for Ladies Night so I forgot to write down the Shellac blue color. It is one of the new shades, if that helps! On my left hand we glitterfied my ring finger instead of my index finger. BBB loves some glitz and glamour!

Michelyn

UND vs NDSU: MBB Gold Uniform Unveiling

Greetings Bison and BBB Fans. I am a very happy basketball wife as are the football wives!

Congratulations to the football team for beating Wofford College in a defense-packed game. The Bison team fought well and beat the Wofford Terries 14-7. Go Bison! Make sure you cheer on the football team as they host Georgia Southern in the NCAA FCS Semifinal on Friday. I wonder how many people will call out sick on Friday?!?!

Sunday was a busy day at the FargoDome as the MBB hosted the UND game and the football team held individual meetings and walk throughs. Well, all the commotion did not interfere with guys focus! The team also unveiled their new Nike yellow jerseys!

What do you think of their new jerseys?!

In the spirit of Golding out, Jason wore a yellow tie. Below, is a picture of us after the game!

I got the idea to tie my scarf in the "muffler" style from scarves.net. I must admit that it looked way cuter when I left the house. Please understand that this is after cheering on the team. Here is the video I watched!

Oh, and the team won :) 72-52!

Tomorrow the MBB play the Minnesota Gophers!!!!!

Michelyn

NDSU vs. Morehead + My Superstitions

Last night the Bison MBB played Morehead (Kentucky) at the Johnson Arena. And, the team won: 69-57!

Let me tell you... the team had me completely stressed out! Yes, me, this Type-Aer. Let me explain.

I am having some difficulties going to MELT in the early morning hours (that is 5:35am workouts), so I elected to do the 5:30pm class instead. Well, this put me in a pickle as the MBB played at 6pm. When I jumped into my car, the men were ahead in the first half (13 to 11).

I got home, took a shower, made my dinner salad and then decided to watch the rest of the game through the Morehead's website. WRONG MOVE!

By this time, the game was well into the second half with a score of 33 to 19. I started watching in the second half and I swear at that moment, the game took a terrible downslide! The Bison went on a 12-0 run and had me pleased THEN in the last 5 minutes of the game Morehead's turned up the pressure- mean mugging all over the court. They then responded with a 19-2 run of their own.

Like seriously, this is when my superstitious behaviors came into play. I first damned myself for even thinking of watching the game. Like really, the team was doing well! I should have stuck with the mobile ESPN checks. And then decided to turn off the computer and ate my salad in silence. Thank goodness the salad was delicious  because I was in a terrible mood because of the game.

Well, we know the end... the guys pulled it through, but this really brings to light my insanity, lol. I truly have a problem during away games. I swear that if I change my routine the game will turn on the dime. I have so many examples of this insanity that I could most likely write a whole blog about it.

Here is an example. I recently traveled to Green Bay after the men won 3 games straight. While Jason was getting dressed, he placed his shoes on the bed and I freaked out that it was bad luck. Jason responded that he had put his shoes on the bed the entire time they were in Pitt. To appease me, he took the shoes off the bed and guess what happened... They lost to Green Bay!!!! See what I am talking about?!?!

Now I am screaming.... Throw the shoes on the bed!

Michelyn

The Bison MBB Season: October and November

It has been some time since I last posted... I forced myself to complete all my wedding thank you notes before delving into blogging which was my post-wedding goal. I am the type of person who enjoys completing one task thoroughly before starting the next. Plus, I knew that writing 200+ thank you notes in a timely fashion (i.e., in under 3 months) would take an incredible amount of discipline on my part. More on the actual thank you notes and that fiasco later.

Tonight, I would like to recap the Bison MBB's season thus far! Our standings look something like this:

Overall: 6 - 2          Summit League:1 - 0            Home:3 - 0            

Away:1 - 2            Neutral:2 - 0

The Bison men played in the Progressive Legends Classic which provided them the opportunity to play #1 ranked Indiana. This game was played on November 12! This was lost number 1 for the Bison, but a good game nonetheless. In an ESPN.com article, NDSU was given some credit for their athleticism and perseverance. When I first read the article I was somewhat peeved by the term "pesky," but when I re-considered, I was pretty proud of the MBB team. Many teams would have crippled and been so awstruck that they were playing against the #1 team in the country, but not our boys! They held their head high and fought to the end.  End Score: 61-87!

The second portion of the Progressive Legends Classic continued in Pittsburgh with 3 games! And we won all THREE! Yes, the MBB won games against: Youngstown State, Duquesne, and  James Madison. The North Dakota State men's team was named the Subregional Winner. Additionally, Taylor Braun garnered Subregional MVP honors for leading the Bison to three wins and teammate TrayVonn Wright earned a spot on the all-tournament team!

After the 3-night winning streak, the MBB flew on Thanksgiving Day and was delayed by a few hours as they traveled to Green Bay, WI. I met the team at the airport, my flight also delayed by a few hours but luckily I was saved by Nicole Phillips, wife of Saul Phillips while I was twiddling my thumbs and causing some ruckus for the airport security! Multiple TSA security guards approached me inquiring why I was sitting outside the gate at the airport! I was sitting reading my Nook with a huge Vera Bradley bag. Does that seem dangerous?!? Anywho, Nicole and the 'Team Phillips' crew took me out for lunch and away from the weary onlookers!

Ok, back on topic!

You know, long days on the road typically equals DISASTER! On Saturday night, the MBB lost to Green Bay in a game that the boys never really found their touch offensively. It was a tough road loss, our 2nd for the season. On Sunday, the team was down and anxious to get back home. I found them somewhat entertaining after the game. All of their heads hung low... They can be very tough on themselves. I wanted to say (I did not) that they should be proud of their winS at the Legends Classic, but as a competitor, I can understand their thoughts and dismay. NDSU vs GB: 59-74

Regular schedules + Rest = Success which was showcased in the Bison win against Omaha, 95-51. After the game I stated: "Why didn't you guys get to 100!" Ha, I am the coach's wife that is never happy with a simple WIN. I want a huge blowout!!!!

Well, the team heads out again bright and early tomorrow for another road game verse Morehead (Kentucky). Jason has been working on the scout all weekend, so wish them luck.

Also, the Bison football team is in the Quarterfinals this coming Saturday verse Wofford College as they continue their quest for the FCS National title! I wish the team luck and also the wives as I am sure they have been spending many nights alone as the coaches prepare for this weekend! #lifeofacoacheswife


Michelyn

See Ya in May

Well folks, the basketball season officially started yesterday......


This means that Coach Kemp will be at practice, games, preparing for games, and recruiting even more.

This morning he rose at 8am for another weekend of recruits and practice. His day was packed with breakfast with the "official" recruits (including parents and high school coaches),  tours around campus, meetings with important people (i.e., Athletic Director Gene Taylor, admissions, specific colleges dependent on their potential majors), catered lunch, team autograph session prior to the game, the Bison football games (They lost! Happy I did not stay to see that, instead I went shopping :) ), and now he is at practice until 9pm. Who would envy him?

Well, the season is jam-packed and officially ends in May!

Is it May yet :)

Coaches Corner: Georgian Princess

Welcome to another installment of 'Coaches Corner' in which I discuss some aspect of college basketball!

In a previous post about the U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball team, I shared that the most important asset  that a player/coach posses is his wife... To stay in that vein I interviewed Amanda Woodside, wife of former NDSU basketball player and current professional European player Benjamin Woodside, to share a little about her background, how they met, and life overseas. Enjoy!

How did you and Woodside meet?

Our romantic love story began in the Bison Sports Arena (BSA).  Benjamin was shooting hoops and I was at practice for the NDSU dance team, circa 2006. However we did not begin dating till much later.

So, you are a graduate of North Dakota State University as well. What was your major?

Entering college as a Freshman I declared a Public Relations major.  After a year of uncertainty I pulled a 180 and started taking engineering courses.  Three years later I graduated with an Industrial Engineering and Management degree.  

http://www.mattaddington.com/

Your husband plays professional basketball overseas. How many countries have you two lived in? Which country has been your favorite? Why?

We have been fortunate to live in 4 very different countries since graduating college.  Basketball has taken us to France, Slovenia, Georgia, and now Turkey. It is difficult to overall rank a country higher than another.  I enjoy many aspects of each location.  Each culture brings us new adventures, wisdom, and food!  However there are also difficult moments and humbling times, but I wouldn’t trade any of those experiences.  I will break down the positives from each country:

France: Loved their food, the good friends we met, its powerful history, and the language.

Slovenia: Awesome views, good location, absolutely beautiful, and somewhere I plan on retiring.

Georgia: Experienced some of the most incredible hospitality, and I like what it taught me living there.

Turkey:  We have only been here 3 weeks and I feel so comfortable.  It a warm, friendly environment.  The city we live in is HUGE with almost 5 million people and has a lot of offer.

What is ‘Georgian Princess’ referring to?

Hehe.  Well...while living in Georgia, Benjamin officially became a Georgian citizen and I, unofficially, became their Georgian Princess.  With a badge and all!

http://www.mattaddington.com/

You must dish- are the ladies anything like what we see on Basketball Wives?

Unfortunately, yes, sometimes it can feel that way.  There have been some catty females, but that can happen anywhere, anyplace.  It all depends on what kind of women are mixed together.  We could go into a whole different interview for details on that topic.  Beyond the drama, I have been blessed to meet outstanding women who are very dear to me.

What is your most memorable basketball experience?

There are quite a few funny mishaps. However, with out a doubt it was last year.  We made a difficult decision to leave a team in the middle of the season.  Within 24 hours of that decision we had to pack up our entire life into 4 suit cases total, address any loose ends in that current country, and then fly blindly across the globe to (The Republic of) Georgia.  Whoa.  Side note: to ensure no risk of getting stressed out, we each enjoyed 3 long island cocktails during the layover.  

Thank you Amanda for this insightful interview into the life of a former Bison overseas. Please, wish them luck for this season! You can follow Amanda at her blog, Amanda Mosaic.



Michelyn

The Countdown Until....

Those that truly know me, know that I have a personal affinity for countdowns. I love looking down to life events. On many occasions I have caught myself saying: "In xx days we will be..." Well, this afternoon after going grocery shopping and while eating lunch Coach Kemp announced: "41 days until the season begins!" I believe my tendencies are beginning to rub off on him. Would't you say?!?

Well, the next 41 days will be fun-filled so I am looking forward to them all. But, the previous weeks were wonderful as well- we got married, honeymooned in the Grand Caymans, and I began my new job!  The last three weeks have been a whirlwind! So if the next 41 days and the basketball season are anything similar, whoa I won't be able to hold onto my seat.

Yesterday I tailgated Bison style before their game opener! Coach Kemp and the men's basketball team had 8+ recruits and their families in tow so I met up with one of my new co-workers, Jamie. Well, I can certainly attest that I already love Jamie and believe she will be my new "partner in crime!"  The game itself was amazing!!!! The Bison football team won 52-0 which was a nice show/production for the high school recruits. Also during the opening of the game, they rose the official 2011 FCS National Championship banner. The football opening act is really grand, I can honestly state that is it on the professional level. Here is a youtube video to prove.

I will be honest that tailgating is nowhere near the level of a SEC team (Go Gators!) or even Big Ten (On Wisconsin!), but I still had a blast!

Michelyn