After 16 Years, There's New Life On the Hilltop

Well, as you've most certainly heard by now, we have a new head basketball coach. Coach McDermott, by way of Iowa State, is now in charge. It was officially announced on Monday, press conference Tuesday, and he met with us as a team Tuesday afternoon. Iowa State wasted no time hiring a new coach either. The Cyclones hired former Iowa State star and Ames native, Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg played in the NBA for eleven seasons and was just in the front office for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Interesting hire for the Cyclones. It's certainly been a whirlwind last few days. The paper has been all about coach Altman, coach McDermott, and the changes in both programs for five days now. It's kind of starting to get old, but it's the nature of the media.

My friend Ben and I were discussing how odd is to see a different head coach lead the Jays. For as long as I can even remember comprehending human activity, coach Altman has always led CU. It really hit me that he's no longer the coach when coach McDermott first spoke to us as a team a couple days ago. I'm excited for new things and new life with coach McDermott, but it's also sad to see coach Altman go as well. He was a great coach. But enough of all this b.s. you've all heard and read about a million times the past week; it's time to get to the good stuff.

This is my last blog post of the year, so it's only fitting I give awards out to our team and members of the Jays community, right? In the words of Josh Jones, "Right, right, right, I feel that." So here it is, your 2009-10 "Simple Plays Medallions."

Most Valuable Player: Justin Carter. But only because he scored the most points. If any of you actually watched the debacle that was last season, you'll probably reason that their really wasn't a most valuable player.

Person Most Inclined to Think They Could Start for the Lakers: Josh Jones. Again, this is a man that legitimately thinks he could beat Allen Iverson one on one. Also a man who doesn't think college teams should have to run plays. "We should just hoop," he says. Complete delusion, but I love it.

The Lifting Can't Fix Your Face Award: Derek Sebastian. Talk about lifting weights until you fail. I dare anyone to take weight lifting more serious than Derek does. He's like Lou Ferrigno trapped in Ross Ferrarini's body...just awkward.

I'm American Award: Casey Harriman. Just loves to have his shirt off, jeans shorts on, and Coors Light in his hands. And loves to scream, "AMERICA." You get the point.

Most Absurd Human Being Award: Easy one. Chad Millard. Never know which direction he's going to go in, but you know it's always going to be interesting.

Whitest Division One Basketball Player Award: Matt Dorwart. Sidney, Nebraska, transparent skin tone, skin and bones, Catholic, blonde hair, no athleticism, and a silky smooth J. God love ya Matt.

Most Likely to Get Made Fun of Every Time He Speaks: Kenny Lawson. An 85% chance something stupid is going to come out of his mouth every other sentence, thus he gets made fun of.

Best Walk-On in Division One Basketball: Me, obviously. I am the one who dubbed this blog after our former coach's most infamous saying...Simple plays, fellas, simple plays.