#gonazaga

It always amazes me how fast a new season arrives. And no, not a season as in the-leaves-changing-color-to-distinguish-summer-to-fall but an athletic season. Yep, most people distinguish time by fall, winter, spring, summer while for me, or anybody who works in athletics, our time is told by what sport is in session.  

The sport that is now in session for me is women’s basketball.

I swear I just decompressed from its 2012-13 campaign yesterday and came to terms with another senior class leaving the program and university when the official practice date arrived for 2013-14.  

As quickly as it ended, it seems just as quickly it has begun once again.

I’m entering my eighth season with the women’s basketball program. A long time for me, who had never seen a freshman class graduate – leaving my job every two years – before Gonzaga sucked me in.

This year’s 3-person senior class will be my fourth.

Funny how during the season wins and loses are top on the docket but during that time you become invested in the student-athletes, not only how they are succeeding on the court but how they evolve as a person.

Don’t get me wrong, I am filled with memories – which evoke so many emotions – when thinking of this programs success on the floor; its first NCAA Tournament bid, the ‘Shot’ that allowed the team to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time, Courtney Vandersloot scoring her 2,000th point and the amazing atmosphere in the Spokane Arena during the Elite Eight game but having gotten to see each fresh face freshman blossom over their four years – and sometimes five years – has been a gift.

It became more apparent for me this week how much I value seeing the growth and success of the student-athletes that walk the halls of the McCarthey Athletic Center and Martin Centre when Vandersloot arrived back on campus for a 48-hour visit.

The four years Vandersloot was on campus was a whirlwind; I don’t know how many interviews I had – forced – her to do; how many daily text reminders for said interviews I sent and lets not forget the 14-day roadtrip together to the Final Four and WNBA Draft. 

Suffice it to say, I was a nuisance but while I was a nuisance a friendship grew. So it was a joy to have her back on campus. Not only because we were able to catch up; talk about what has been going on and reminisce about the past, but because it also brought so many others back and together. The current team seemed to enjoy having her at practice; former teammates once again roamed the hallways with each other - still looking the same just a little bit older and wiser - and smiles were aplenty. 

Those 48-hours reemphasized why I have stayed for so long – FAMILY. This may be my profession but it is also my family away from my family.