Basketball and SoCon Tournament
January 17th, 2006: Bobby Cremins shared his insight on NCAA basketball and especially the Southern Conference Tournament. The former Georgia Tech head coach, and now a commentator for FOX Sports gave us some of the color and an interesting analysis of the state of local basketball and the Conference. His long time friend, fellow former coach, and Citadel Athletic Director Les Robinson set the stage for this interesting and news worthy presentation.
This program was particularly timely because the nation’s oldest collegiate post-season tournament is now a tradition for us in Charleston. On March 2nd to 5th, 2006 the Southern Conference Championship will return to the North Charleston Coliseum and McAlister Field house.
To highlight the history and tradition, on our tables we were treated to a photo of the University of North Carolina team that won the Southern Conference Tournament in 1924 and went on to capture the NCAA National Championship. We are extremely lucky in Charleston to have great tournament which showcases great talent and allows us to enjoy seeing the exciting basketball games.
Bobby Cremins not only gave us the current state of the top NCAA, SoCon, and State teams, he also gave interesting insights into his past. In 1975 as an Assistant Coach at University of South Carolina and he got a call to discuss being a head coach of Appalachian State. As a New York native and not being very familiar with the school, he had only two questions. The questions, “Are your division 1 school?” and 2) “are you in the South?” He became the Appalachian State’s Head Coach, was the youngest Head Coach in the US and also won the SoCon Championship.
What is under-recognized and under-appreciated is the SoCon Tournament is for both the men and women’s basketball championship. Last year, the new Head Coach of UT, Chattanooga Women’s Program won the tournament and got a chance to go to the first round of the NCAA. By hosting the Tournament, we get a great opportunity to see the drama and excitement of the first step to the final four and according to Cremins it is “as good of a sporting event as there is in the world.”
With the Tournament in town, we have an opportunity this year to witness a special moment for someone. Support the SoCon Tournament and have some fun!
By Wayne Outlaw, Keyway Committee