Coach Auriemma at the DC Armory

[t-gal]

Today (7/14//12) USA had an open practice at the DC Armory and it was a tribute to our military. A few of the women were there (Maya, Lindsay, Candace, Angel, Seimone, and Swin, who showed up a lil late). They, along with Coach Auriemma hosted a skills clinic for military daughters. After that the men came out practiced then scrimmaged one another.

What happened at the end of this event is what really got to me...

I was hanging out at the corner of the court hoping to get an autograph from Coach when the security guard near me was yelling as this man with a cane to move. Turns out this man with a cane was part of the Wounded Warriors group that had tickets to get autographs from the team. I then see Coach come over to them and start to try and be an escort to the gentlemen with the cane and the other folks in wheelchairs. After he gets them on the court I watch in awe as he is going and grabbing players (Lebron, Kobe, etc) to come to thiss group and give autographs and take pictures.

I LOVE this man! When he had a quick moment I asked him for a quick picutre and got it! I'll post it as soon as I get to a computer.

 

[MilfordHusky]

T-gal is having a good day. Thanks for the report!

 

[alexrgct]

Cool story...literally.

One of the things that I've always appreciated about Geno is his accessibility. He's an extremely busy guy- between his primary coaching responsibilities and his ancillary ones, his business interests, the boards he sits on, and his family- but he will virtually always make time for fans. A picture, am autograph, a response to an email, he's always accessible. It's very impressive.

 

[EricLA]

He's truly amazing. GREAT story thanks for sharing!

 

[Wonkster]

T-gal is having a good day. Thanks for the report!

Yeah, MH - while she was getting things done at the DC Armory, you were wasting your time reading Cleveland Amory!

 

[Kibitzer]

I have to wonder how many autographs the players collected from the Wounded Warriors.

 

[speedoo]

I have to wonder how many autographs the players collected from the Wounded Warriors.

Probably very few or none. Do you think the Wounded Warriors minded, if all they got from the players was good words, handshakes and maybe some hugs?

I saw one pic where Kobe was helping a young soldier with an artificial leg make a layup. The smile on that soldier's face spoke volumes.

 

[wes33]

Coach K as usual makes us very proud.
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/19323027/article-USA-hoops-stars-put-on-a-show-in-D-C-?

 

[connboy77]

I've always believed and still do that the Geno critics, especially the orange ones don't have a clue what type of person Geno really is. This is why stories like the one just posted by t-gal make me realize even more that Geno is a wonderful person, as well as a great coach.

 

[t-gal]

My apologies for the grammatical errors (I was typing it on my Iphone while sitting passenger in a car).

That whole event was absolutely amazing! Thank you wes33, for the article. When the troops did that there wasn't a dry eye in that entire place. I'm in the Air Force so any support given to us military, especially the wounded warriors, holds a special place in my heart.

connboy77- I couldn't concur more.

Here is the picture of Coach and I. Enjoy tonight's game and GO USA! ESPN2 5:30pm ET

 

[MilfordHusky]

My apologies for the grammatical errors (I was typing it on my Iphone while sitting passenger in a car).

That whole event was absolutely amazing! Thank you wes33, for the article. When the troops did that there wasn't a dry eye in that entire place. I'm in the Air Force so any support given to us military, especially the wounded warriors, holds a special place in my heart.

connboy77- I couldn't concur more.

Here is the picture of Coach and I. Enjoy tonight's game and GO USA! ESPN2 5:30pm ET

View attachment 925

Nice pic! You have a smile like Kaleena Lewis. I think I can find you at the Greene Turtle.

 

[t-gal]

Nice pic! You have a smile like Kaleena Lewis. I think I can find you at the Greene Turtle.

Thank you very much! ***hugs***

 

[terif831]

What a beautiful story and a great pic! So glad you got to have that wonderful experience. Wish I were there with you!

 

[Huskymaniac]

That is an absolutely amazing story and you must have been floating just to be there and observe it all. LMAO at the Tennessee and Louisville fans. Collectively they don't have a clue. Part of me feels bad for them.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Also, note how easy it is for the security detail to do something that Geno feels he has to oppose and for that opposition to piss off someone in the security organization. Now, imagine if the head of security was a woman who wanted to get back at Geno...what oh what could she do..........

 

[alexrgct]

Nice- right in front of throng crowding around LeBron James.