Umm, Can I Take That Back?

Several have asked about some of the predicaments I have found myself in during my time supporting ACU basketball (See post)

So, I've decided to dedicate my next few blogs to exactly that. We'll start off with the one most people like to (and still do) talk about:

The date was February 26, 2004. The ACU women found themselves in the hunt for first place in the Lone Star Conference South with arch-enemy #1 in town for a crucial late season matchup. ACU entered the game 17-8 on the season and 9-3 in LSC South play. West Texas A&M (WTAMU) was 22-3 on the year and 10-2 in LSC South play. A win by ACU would likely give us 1st place and allow us to host the LSC post-season tournament.

WTAMU jumped on us early and led the entire first half. Holding a 6 point halftime lead, WTAMU came out and scored the first 4 points of the second half to go up by 10. After a quick timeout, the Wildcats finally started to play. Over the next 4 minutes, ACU would outscore WTAMU 14-2 to take a 2 point lead. On more than one occasion, I found myself on the playing floor screaming and cheering as we made our run. (Note - I never actually went onto the court - only the baseline behind the bench)

The last 15 minutes of the game were crazy with emotions high on both sides. WTAMU actually grew their lead back to 8 points with only 2:30 left to play. It didn't look good for ACU. However, a free throw, 3-pointer and layup would pull ACU to within 2 with 21 seconds to play. Being out of timeouts, WTAMU inbounded the ball and we were desperately trying to foul to stop the clock. ACU fouled WTAMU at least twice but the refs would not give us a break. They allowed the game to continue.

As an ACU player raced over in an attempt to foul a WTAMU player and stop the clock, the WTAMU threw the ball out of bounds. Of course, I am going crazy as we will now have the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead with 10 seconds left to play. But out of nowhere, the whistle blows and the referee calls a phantom foul on ACU. I am out of control. I am screaming at the ref from directly behind the bench. I cannot believe what has just happened.

So, WTAMU gets two free throws. They make the first and miss the second. We rebound the ball, run it up the court and fire a game tying 3-pointer at the buzzer. It's on the way, it looks good, and.....

In anticipation of ACU sending the game to overtime, I am now on the floor beside the bench ready to high-five the players. Now back to the action.

It's on the way, it looks good, and.....clank. The ball hits the front of the rim and the game is over. My anticipated jubilee now turns to rage. I'm still furious at the ref for the horrible call at the end of the game. Without even knowing what I'm doing, I race on to the court chasing after the referee that blew the call. I get about 6 or 7 steps onto the court (I have to dodge from running into the WTAMU assistant coach) when all of the sudden, Shawna grabs me with all her strength and yanks me off the court. It's at this time that I realize where I am and what I am doing. I make my way back to my seat. My good friend and co-worker, Chris Campbell tries to calm me down.

This past fall, about 8 months after this incident, the ACU Volleyball team is playing WTAMU in Canyon. In a casual conversation between ACU's head volleyball coach, Brek Horn, and WTAMU's head volleyball coach, the WTAMU caoch asked Brek if she was at the game where the crazy husband of ACU's basketball coach stormed the floor. That story is still being told all over the LSC.....unfortunately.

The next morning, I decided I better make sure I still have a job. I walked over to Dr. Gary McCaleb's office (VP over athletics) and Jared Mosley (athletic director) to apologize. To my relief, they both found it somewhat amusing and were both a little curious what would have happened had Shawna not grabbed me. Me too guys, me too.

And oh yeah. To Chris Campbell. I still hold you partly responsible for this whole ordeal. You were sitting next to me and could have kept me from making a fool of myself!

Next Blog -- Jumping Jack Flash in a Sea of Green!