March 13, 1998
I thought the 20 year anniversary deserved it's own thread. I wasn't on campus around back then but I remember watching that game on TV when I was a little kid. Probably the most memorable NCAA Tournament shot I've ever witnessed. It's crazy to think that was 20 years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuZANaChWYc
I highly recommend you give the lastest Union Street Hoops episode a listen. He has Todd Ickow, Sean Hayden, and Paul Jankowski on to talk about that day and they share their stories covering the team. They also talk about Bryce's commitment to VU. A really great episode!
"What was it like to be on press row at the 1998 NCAA tournament when Bryce Drew hit The Shot? Listen to the latest episode of Union Street Hoops as host Paul Oren (@NWIOren) is joined by former Times reporters Sean Hayden and Paul Jankowski as well as the Voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow.
Ickow breaks down his call of the play while Hayden and Jankowski share how they managed to put such a magical moment into words. Listen as the trio share stories of all the moments that led up to The Shot, including a blizzard that nearly crippled three counties as well as an amazing story involving a Ponderosa in Kansas City that you have to hear to believe."
http://www.nwitimes.com/digital/audio/union-street-hoops/podcast-union-street-hoops-the-shot-at-media-roundtable/article_f0c7bf52-2684-11e8-93b6-ef1a21f3c8c0.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/973570679055572992
I was on a campus visit at Valpo during my HS Junior year Spring Break at this time (even visiting Buck Futler and a few others, mind you ;)), only to find out that this was the same school that just hit that shot. I didn't follow college basketball at that time, having grown up in TX where college basketball didn't mean much at the time, so I had no idea. I went into a meeting with Coach Twenge in the ARC, only to see a bunch of students flock to the Ticketing area of the building, as they were selling second round tickets.
Paul's doing all kinds of stuff on Twitter. Maybe live tweeting a re-watch of the full game?
[tweet]973597792714285056[/tweet]
[tweet]973565190133428224[/tweet]
Bryce wrote up a piece for the Players' Tribune a few years ago, and they're promoting it on social media today
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/bryce-drew-valparaiso-1998-game-winning-shot/
Bryce Drew wrote a piece for The Players Tribune
https://twitter.com/PlayersTribune/status/973598977940754432
Twitter is entertaining today!
I was 8 rows up at the Pyramid in Oklahoma City; standing 1-foot from the Times (?) photographer who took THE Picture; that became the poster we've all seen (and I have hanging in my office, autographed by father and son). Like to track down Ansu Sesay to see if he'd like to sign it, but... probably not.
Quote from: talksalot on March 13, 2018, 03:45:47 PM
I was 8 rows up at the Pyramid in Oklahoma City; standing 1-foot from the Times (?) photographer who took THE Picture; that became the poster we've all seen (and I have hanging in my office, autographed by father and son). Like to track down Ansu Sesay to see if he'd like to sign it, but... probably not.
The arena is now the Cox Convention Center, but until 2002 was known as The Myriad. I visited several times back when Oklahoma City U and Oral Roberts were members of the Midwestern City Conference (now the Horizon League). The arena is still being used for minor league hockey, I believe.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/973573635641434113
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/973574925721235457
Quote from: VU2014 on March 13, 2018, 08:21:50 PM
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/973573635641434113
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/973574925721235457
ARGH! It won't open for me.
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 13, 2018, 08:33:36 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on March 13, 2018, 08:21:50 PM
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/973573635641434113
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/973574925721235457
ARGH! It won't open for me.
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/vu-s-shot-years-later-where-are-they-now/collection_cd729a02-3710-5126-9191-5d58df4c2cee.html
https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/974080346861039616
Speaking of Ansu and Ole Miss' thoughts on The Shot, this article from a few years ago asked some Valpo and Ole Miss folks about The Shot:
https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/3/19/4119040/march-madness-valparaiso-ole-miss-buzzer-beater-history (https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/3/19/4119040/march-madness-valparaiso-ole-miss-buzzer-beater-history)
Today. that writer is Editorial Director of Uproxx Sports and DIME Magazine (subsite on NBA), including hosting a weekly podcast on the NBA.
Sometimes it really is hard to believe that this was 20 years ago, and then you find out that Ansu Sesay's son is playing JUCO ball...
http://www.wcathletics.com/basketball/coyote-basketball/roster (http://www.wcathletics.com/basketball/coyote-basketball/roster)
Great reads....I always wondered what happened to Phifer as he just seemed to disappear. Media coverage has changed in 20 years we would have known today. It was nice to hear his comments but I do not understand why we wasn't with the team.
Was Monte Gordon already gone by season's end? I do not remember him being on the bench. I barely remember him at all. There was a time I could tell you everyone of the team's reaction after the shot....yes I probably have watched this clip a 1,000 times.
Vilcinskas remains my favorite Valpo player of all time. His comments were classic.
From the article there is some definite confusion about how often Pacer was practiced...