Next week (Wed, Oct 10th) is the Friends of Fairfield Basketball Tip-off reception for Men's and Women's hoops at the Gaelic-American Club.
I just got word that RSVP's are running slow, so if everyone can respond soon, then the University can better plan the food. I know we have a great turnout in the spring for this event at the Gaelic Club. Its great that this event is back to twice a year ...... good attendance will keep it that way. Link to registration
Post by nashvillestag on Oct 7, 2012 8:12:04 GMT -5
Very important that we get a good attendance as this is one time when we can get direct answers from Sydney and his staff concerning all matters with the team. I know some people complain that we don't have enough opportunity to have access to info about the Stags during the off season. Therefore we need to keep events like this going on a least a semi-annual basis. A poor turnout would hurt in influencing the school to having future meetings. Therefore if you are considering coming but not sure, please sign up and come. You will have a great evening and at the same time you will be helping the program by contibuting to buildup of excitement as a new season begins for a team that has now become a solid mid-major winner!
How about some questions for tonight. Here are some.
1. How are the foot/ankle issues with Needham and Van Nes
2. How is the competition going for Center between the 3 Freshman Big Men…. Van Nes, Mikulic, and Sidibe. Is there a leader at this time. Can you compare their strengths.
3. What type of player are we looking to recruit for the open scholarship(s) for 2013? Would we take a Division I transfer this December, if the right one was available.
4. What is your position on recruiting JUCO’s like Iona and Canisius have been doing.
5. What are the chances of us hosting 3rd and 4th round games in the Pre-season NIT, if we do not make it to the semi’s in MSG.
6. What is the latest status of scheduling games with Fordham, Holy Cross, and Sacred Heart in the future.
Post by nashvillestag on Oct 10, 2012 10:56:18 GMT -5
7. Will Jenkins be ready right away to play important minutes in the backcourt when Needham or Wade are not in the game? And related to this, how many minutes a game do you see Derek and Dez playing? 8. Will Gilbert be ready to play some important minutes when Nickerson is not in? 9. Is Coleman Johnson more of a big or small forward in regards to style of play? 10. Concerning recruiting, are there any local (I.E. Conn.) players on your radar at this time? 11. Will your style of play change in any way because you are now incorporating some of your own recruits into the mix?
Post by nashvillestag on Oct 11, 2012 8:02:23 GMT -5
Great evening! Sydney gave a nice speech and answered all questions, and in doing so he radiated a very positive feeling for where the program is right now. Unfortunately I am in a hurry and have to leave (for the golf course) so I will let others start to fill in the details.
Lots of Info exchanged either in 1-on-1 conversations or the Coaches Q&A sessions. Some quick comments, cause I got to run..... to Work.... I wish it was Golf.
Sydney is going to rely a lot on our 3 guards, Needham, Nickerson, and Wade, to provide leadership, and they will play a lot of minutes. Our CIT success was huge for players like Barrow and Matthews and he will look to both of them to fill a more prominent role. The frosh will play, with the biggest battle being at Center with Mikulic, Sidibe, and Van Nes. The 3 best shooters among the newcomers were listed as Jenkins, Mikulic and Gilbert. The 3 best defenders were listed as Gilbert, Coleman Johnson, and Sidibe. It was pointed out that Sidibe was an outstanding rebounder. Sydney said that Coleman Johnson was 6-7 to 6-8..... that's the first time I heard 6-8. He said the frosh will have to grow up quickly. Van Nes is expected to be healthy, and he provide a whole different look for us , especially a running big man. It seems the word is cautiously optimistic on Van Nes. And it just seems that he needs to get on the court.
We will not get a Home game in the Pre-Season NIT. The players changed in the NIT administration and with that the rules changed. We have been left with a ridiculously hard OOC schedule.
Stags Club Room info was just approved by the University. It holds 300 people. It will require a $500 donation, and then $350 more per individual, or $500 more per group/family. Includes free Food, free Booze, and free Parking. It's worth it for the Parking alone
Stags Club Room info was just approved by the University. It holds 300 people. It will require a $500 donation, and then $350 more per individual, or $500 more per group/family. Includes free Food, free Booze, and free Parking. It's worth it for the Parking alone....
The new Stag Club Room at the WBA is a great idea and addition to the basketball program. However, being offered as an option for season ticket buyers is an asset but it should also be part of a revamped Lyons-Lademan Athletic Fund program including donation benefit levels. The present economy is not helping but while Stag Basketball is attempting to "take it to the next level" on the court and so should Stag Athletic Fundraising being doing the same off the court.
73, the Stags Club Room is open to everyone, not just for Season Ticket Holders. And your donation does not have to be targeted for Athletics, it could be an unrestricted Gift..... as long as it's made during the University fiscal calander...... July thru June.
10, Sydney was very specific that he is a "Defensive Coach" first and foremost. He gave the impression, if you don't play defense, then you don't play. So, no mention of an offensive line; however, he did make a point that we could play quick with Nickerson at the 3, or we could play bigger with Barrow at the 3. So I would look for Barrow to play like a mini-Rakim.
I got the impression that we can matchup defensively all different ways. The biggest concern is that the frosh have to quickly grow , and do it against a tough OOC schedule.
Last Edit: Oct 11, 2012 11:48:04 GMT -5 by JoeStag
They also announced last night the the new Scoreboard at WBA would probablyy be installed today. ...... Same type of scoreboard as used in Cowboys stadium, just not as Big. Here's a Photo of it.
Last Edit: Oct 11, 2012 12:29:48 GMT -5 by JoeStag
73, the Stags Club Room is open to everyone, not just for Season Ticket Holders. And your donation does not have to be targeted for Athletics, it could be an unrestricted Gift..... as long as it's made during the University fiscal calander...... July thru June.
Hopefully more information about the new Stags Club Room at the WBA and it's availabilty to alumni/fans will eventually be made know to all and find its way onto the AR website, the Fairfield Magazine, social media and the Stag website. However, this would be a perfect time and opportunity for the University to upgrade Stag Athletic Fundraising from the current Lyons-Lademan Fund in an updated and more aggresive way like so many other schools, both larger and smaller, do with a Stag Club/Red and White Club with donation membership benefit levels. Manhattan College in the MAAC now has their new Jasper Athletic Club.
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan College Athletic Department is pleased to announce the formation of the Jasper Athletic Club. This new fundraising arm will allow alumni, family and friends of the program to directly contribute to the success of the student-athletes on each of Manhattan's 19 Division I athletic teams. Athletic Director Bob Byrnes said, "This exciting new club provides our loyal fans with an opportunity to directly invest in our student-athletes and provide fun opportunities for Manhattan alumni, parents and friends to get together and share a common bond that we all have-Jasper Athletics. "The support that alumni, family and friends of the program lend to the Jasper Athletic Club will assist our student-athletes in being successful both on and off their respective fields of play."
There are several levels of membership, each of which includes Jaspers memorabilia, as well as invitations to exclusive receptions and other special events. Donors also have the option to make a gift to the general athletic fund or can earmark their gift to a specific program. All donations are tax-deductible, and many corporations have a matching-gift program
Great to hear that Jenkins can shoot...we will need him to grow up fast. If healthy, I suspect Van Nes will get most minutes at center, but we will see lots of Matthews and SIdiibe to defend and rebound. And Johnson is close to 6-8 and Gilbert can defend and Mikulic can shoot. I hope two step up in addition to Jenkins.
Great to hear that Jenkins can shoot...we will need him to grow up fast. If healthy, I suspect Van Nes will get most minutes at center, but we will see lots of Matthews and SIdiibe to defend and rebound. And Johnson is close to 6-8 and Gilbert can defend and Mikulic can shoot. I hope two step up in addition to Jenkins.
While Sydney or any coaches of the coaches did not talk specifically about playing time or line-ups or combinations, I got the following feelings from reading between the lines.
Miklulic, Sidibe and Van Nes will battle for 40mpg at the center position with Mikulic being the most ready at this time because he is healthy and has a complete game. Van Nes all depends on health and Sidibe is an awesome Rebounder/defender off the bench
Barrow, Matthews and Coleman Johnson will play the PF. Barrow will start, but also be used at the 3 position.
Guards will be Needham, Wade and Nickerson…. And they will play a lot of minutes. Most of Nickerson’s at the 3 position, that will leave Jenkins to get some minutes at Backup guard.
The 3 position will be “3G/SF by Committee”, man’ed by Nickerson, Barrow and Gilbert.
My guess is that Mikulic and Gilbert will get most of the frosh minutes, About 17mpg. The rest about 10mpg, but all will play because they have specialties, especially on defensive matchups (Gilbert, Johnson, Sidibe) or for offense (Jenkins, Van Nes)
Would we take a Division I transfer this December, if the right one was available. 
