Today's post is written by Head Coach Maryann Mitts
Yesterday was the annual MIAA Media Day in Kansas City. In typical fashion, every coach had a “poker” face about their teams’ potential and those coaches that did share their thoughts…… well, they REALLY like their squad! So, bottom line-everyone thinks their team is pretty darn good! It’s the only time of the year you’ll choke with all the optimism in the room. I actually find it very comical to be honest.
Well, the real proof will happen in a few short weeks. In three weeks, the rubber will meet the road and results only (not talk) will determine the success of MIAA teams. Yesterday we were picked 5th by the Media and 6th by the Coaches. No offense to Jim Henry at the Joplin Globe, but I’ve never put much credence in what the media says, but I’ll have to agree with them on this one! (See? I too lean to the optimistic side!) The Coaches usually look at the number of graduating players and since we lost 6 seniors, four of which were starters, last season, sixth is about as high as they would consider us. I am excited about this season and actually enjoy the role of “underdog” or spoiler. I mean, in my eight years at Southern we have beaten 10 nationally ranked teams. It’s FUN to go up against the Big Dogs.
Meet the Lions Night is Southern’s own Midnight Madness…. Except that it’s two weeks into practice and at 5:30 pm . : ) Our Meet the Lions Night was this past Monday night and I was pleasantly surprised. Our scoring (which is all fans want to see) was productive and it gave our players a chance to play in front of our wonderful fans in Leggett and Platt. Remember though, we take pride in our Defense around here, so, obviously we have room for improvement.
This group is the best group of ladies I have had the pleasure of coaching. I’ve always questioned coaches (our Men’s Coach, Robert Corn being one of them) when they would say, “The best part of my day is the two hours I am up on the floor with my players.” WHAT? You mean, the time when you are begging and pleading 18-22 year olds to play hard, encouraging them to play defense, and praying that they are listening to what you are teaching? And THEN waiting for the results of that teaching? Well, now I have felt it! At 1:00 pm every day I am anxious and ready for 2:00 pm. I am excited to see our team, their smiles, intensity, and eagerness to learn.
So, that’s what’s leading me to the title of today’s blog. “Too Good To Be True”. At the MIAA Media Day, Gene Steinmeyer, Head Coach at Northwest Missouri and I were visiting. It seems that we are the only two who have succumb ourselves to this blog thing. And to be honest, our staff really enjoys reading Gene’s blogs. His writing is very similar to his storytelling: long, creative, and hysterical! Anyways, he was telling me that his assistant, Lori Hopkins (great person and great coach) was laughing at our blogs. After asking why, he paused and said, “Well, I mean, they just sound too good to be true!” I guess the misconceptions that some people have about programs get eliminated when they actually hear the truth from the ‘horse’s mouths’. Our players write their own blogs from their hearts. We might give them a ‘topic’ (like an English assignment), but it’s all them after that. All the positives, all the understanding, the happiness, and all the excitement can occur at the same time discipline, intensity, and hard work encompass an environment.
Maybe the Northwest Missouri Coaching Staff is RIGHT….. Maybe the 2009-10 Lions ARE just “Too Good To Be True!”
Until next time...It's a GREAT day to be a LION!
Maryann Mitts
Head Coach
