DNS -I echo the thanks and really appreciate the hard work on setting this down. I would like to point out two things that hit home for me. I am a pretty emotional gal so I will go with the heartstrings first. I mentioned Diana's tears at the medal ceremony and how I felt it was her realization that the past few weeks was an opportunity to play with folks she cares a great deal about, I am thinking Geno mostly, and that it may never happen again:
"Q: Looking back on it now, in addition to the gold medal, was there a particular moment or day that was special to you?
GA: For me it’s always personal; so, there were a bunch of funny moments and a bunch of great moments. But, I think the time that I spent with Diana, there were some moments that we had, either before practice, or after practice, or at dinner, which kind of brought me back to what it used to be like when she was in college and we were doing this for the very first time. That’s probably the moments, those three. The other stuff is stuff everybody does; everybody went to Tower Bridge, everybody went to the Tower of London, everybody went to go see Big Ben, the Parliament buildings, and all that good stuff. But for me, those three times were pretty special for me.
The look on his face was one that indicated that he truly loved the down time with Taurasi, and also that he realizes that it’s most likely not going to happen like that ever again. Part joy, part sadness. Then quickly, the joking Auriemma returned with the following:
Oh and seeing Diana’s mom and dad, that was pretty funny. Just for the record, Lily, Diana’s mother, came up to me and said “Geno, I still hate you.” I said okay, you hated me in 2000, you hate me in 2012, that’s okay, as long as your daughter loves me, that’s all I care about."
I had to throw that in.....Geno...
And then on a subject of which continuously irks me from time to time, sometimes even with our fans on this board. Geno on being asked where winning the gold medal at the Olympics and on peoples expectations:
"GA: Yeah it’s like coaching UConn. You win 90 in a row and some dope wants to know why you didn’t call a time out or why this kid missed a free throw or why that. So when you do win, you say “that’s good, let’s get onto the next one.” France, the kids went back and I was talking to one of the French players afterwards, and she said they couldn’t wait to get home, because they were going to be welcomed home as conquering heroes. One coach said, “You know we played well tonight, and we had fun.” Both coaches are there, and two players are there at the same time. So I looked at him and said, “You know, it’s been a long time since I could say, it doesn’t matter, we’re just out here to have fun.” (Laughs) So that was pretty refreshing to hear him say that. So yeah, basically the feeling I had after winning the Olympics is the same I have at UConn when we win a national championship. The exact same thing.
There was definitely a hint of sadness in that response; while I cannot see him not wanting to be coaching the hunted favorite, I have to think that a part of him longs for the time when it was just about teaching the game, and watching your players grow. Clearly, he still harbors some resentment about some of the criticism directed toward his teams whenever they lose a game, or things do not go according to the fans’ plans."
I love the game of basketball, but I could never play it well. I truely appreciate the artistry of the game that is created by Geno Auriemma's teams, and it is a thrill for me to watch them each and every time. I am a musician, too, and I also know that with each performance things may not happen according to plan. I have learned to accept this, work on the things that keep happening to correct possible problems, and strive to do better each time. If I beat myself up for every mistake (as some are wont to do), I would have stopped doing the thing I love long ago and my life would have had so much less richness.
Appreciate what you have. UConn WCBB is so DAMN LUCKY to have such as person as Coach Auriemma to lead the way in so many ways, both on and off the court.
