2008 Woodie Awards
Credit this surprise to Swanson
Brian Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Sports
Ed Swanson walked down the darkened corridors of the Pitt Center basement, running his fingers through his hair in relief, and strolled into his office, which is decorated with newspaper clips from his team's NCAA tournament trip in 2006.
All-conference players Amanda Pape, Kerri Burke and Jasmine Walker- the ones whose pictures are on his office wall- were on the brink of graduating and Swanson knew the day was coming when they wouldn't be there. Fans braced themselves for the worst and came to grips with realizing a season like the ones the trio was used to probably wouldn't occur again for another two or three years, at the very least.
That was one year ago around this exact time. Now, the women's basketball team is running and gunning with new faces, a new rotation, a new offense and a new outlook. Aren't you the least bit curious as to why this so-called rebuilding year has transformed into a yet another road to the Northeast Conference title? The team is finding ways to win - and win a lot.
There aren't many answers to rationalize the success of the surprise team in the league. Traditional logic would've put the Pioneers in the basement of the NEC and come to think of it- their No. 4 slot in the preseason poll seemed very generous at the time. Think about it: They were set to start a freshman at point guard, another freshman on one wing, a career-long serviceable back-up on the other wing, a transfer unfamiliar with Swanson's playbook at forward, and a center used to being in the shadows.
But if you've seen the 11-2 Pioneers this season, you'd say they boast: a point guard that manages a game almost as well as Burke did, a freshman with a knack for scoring, another wing who contributes on the offensive end and gives ferocious defense night in and night out, a rebounding machine at forward with as much energy as Pape, and then, the most dominating center in the conference.
So maybe this perplexing run of success isn't difficult to comprehend. Sacred Heart has continued its dominance at home, going 11-1 to date, and is 26-1 in the last two years; 37-6 in the last three. In regards to the success of Alisa Apo and especially Maggie Cosgrove, Burke's first assistant coaching assignment has worked well. But overall, credit this wonderful surprise to Swanson. He's somehow cheated the retooling period and has made this bunch gel nicely.
After Monday's win over Monmouth, the coach made that same stroll into his office and ran his fingers through his hair in relief once again. Different squad, same results.
Who knew?
All-conference players Amanda Pape, Kerri Burke and Jasmine Walker- the ones whose pictures are on his office wall- were on the brink of graduating and Swanson knew the day was coming when they wouldn't be there. Fans braced themselves for the worst and came to grips with realizing a season like the ones the trio was used to probably wouldn't occur again for another two or three years, at the very least.
That was one year ago around this exact time. Now, the women's basketball team is running and gunning with new faces, a new rotation, a new offense and a new outlook. Aren't you the least bit curious as to why this so-called rebuilding year has transformed into a yet another road to the Northeast Conference title? The team is finding ways to win - and win a lot.
There aren't many answers to rationalize the success of the surprise team in the league. Traditional logic would've put the Pioneers in the basement of the NEC and come to think of it- their No. 4 slot in the preseason poll seemed very generous at the time. Think about it: They were set to start a freshman at point guard, another freshman on one wing, a career-long serviceable back-up on the other wing, a transfer unfamiliar with Swanson's playbook at forward, and a center used to being in the shadows.
But if you've seen the 11-2 Pioneers this season, you'd say they boast: a point guard that manages a game almost as well as Burke did, a freshman with a knack for scoring, another wing who contributes on the offensive end and gives ferocious defense night in and night out, a rebounding machine at forward with as much energy as Pape, and then, the most dominating center in the conference.
So maybe this perplexing run of success isn't difficult to comprehend. Sacred Heart has continued its dominance at home, going 11-1 to date, and is 26-1 in the last two years; 37-6 in the last three. In regards to the success of Alisa Apo and especially Maggie Cosgrove, Burke's first assistant coaching assignment has worked well. But overall, credit this wonderful surprise to Swanson. He's somehow cheated the retooling period and has made this bunch gel nicely.
After Monday's win over Monmouth, the coach made that same stroll into his office and ran his fingers through his hair in relief once again. Different squad, same results.
Who knew?
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