During the 80's while employed at OSU in the AD one of fun things I got to do was join coaches on the road attending alumni/posse/OSU functions. Spending time on the road with them provided lots of conversation time.
In an article in this mornings edition of the TW (Sunday, article by Mason Young) there was a paragraph that brought back lots of memories about the conversations I had (and for those that remember Coach Ward being interviewed on radio or print, you probably remember them too). The article is about OSU's softball team, beating ou in the first two games. The part that reminded of Coach Ward was a part of the interview with Coach Gajewski.
Here's a part of interview:
“I’m very clear when I recruit,” Gajewski said. “I’m looking for kids that have the guts to beat them. Because that’s the standard at this point. So that’s what I’m in search of. If that doesn’t interest you, or that scares you, this is the wrong place. And that’s what it’s come to when we recruit. I’m very clear.
“And just because we talked about it doesn’t mean that happens. You gotta make it happen and you got to do that stuff. But we’re starting to find kids that are not afraid of the moment. It’s tough. This is tough. This is in front of 4,500 fans and they’re bullies here, man. That’s what they do and they’ve earned that.
“And you have to learn how to get punched and punch back and get up with a bloody nose and your eyes watered and go. And we’ve got a bunch of kids that that’s how they are.”
Those quotes reminded me of the way Ward use to speak of competing. Brought back a flood of memories for me about OSU baseball. Glad to see Coach G using some of the same ideas about being competitive.
In an article in this mornings edition of the TW (Sunday, article by Mason Young) there was a paragraph that brought back lots of memories about the conversations I had (and for those that remember Coach Ward being interviewed on radio or print, you probably remember them too). The article is about OSU's softball team, beating ou in the first two games. The part that reminded of Coach Ward was a part of the interview with Coach Gajewski.
Here's a part of interview:
“I’m very clear when I recruit,” Gajewski said. “I’m looking for kids that have the guts to beat them. Because that’s the standard at this point. So that’s what I’m in search of. If that doesn’t interest you, or that scares you, this is the wrong place. And that’s what it’s come to when we recruit. I’m very clear.
“And just because we talked about it doesn’t mean that happens. You gotta make it happen and you got to do that stuff. But we’re starting to find kids that are not afraid of the moment. It’s tough. This is tough. This is in front of 4,500 fans and they’re bullies here, man. That’s what they do and they’ve earned that.
“And you have to learn how to get punched and punch back and get up with a bloody nose and your eyes watered and go. And we’ve got a bunch of kids that that’s how they are.”
Those quotes reminded me of the way Ward use to speak of competing. Brought back a flood of memories for me about OSU baseball. Glad to see Coach G using some of the same ideas about being competitive.
