For this blog entry, we decided to change it up and step off of the court and into the classroom, since academics is a key aspect of being a student-athlete at Hartford. As the fall semester comes to a close, Clayton Brothers and Charles White, a pair of communications majors, were asked to produce a creative video feature as a final project for their Broadcast and Electronic Journalism course taught by Michelle Bonner, an ESPNEWS anchor who also is an anchor on SportsCenter occasionally. The duo chose to profile Hawks' head coach John Gallagher in their video feature. Below is Clayton's description about the project. Enjoy!
Since basketball is a huge part of our lives right now, and has been for most of our lives, it was obvious that our feature story would be about our favorite pass time - hoops. As we continued to brainstorm, we realized that a video feature about Coach Gallagher would be the perfect fit. This project took us about a week to complete, and was beneficial to us as communications majors because it covered the aspects of interviewing, editing, writing – all important skills in being a journalist or having any job involved in the field of communications.
As most of you know, we are in the midst of an 0-10 season. At this point, most coaches would be down and out, depressed about their team’s performances, and might have already thrown in the towel for the season. This is not the case with Coach Gallagher. Even at 0-10, he has shown so much faith in the team, and that has been passed on to us [the team]. The team knows that Coach believes in us, and that the Hartford administration also has faith, which helps us believe in ourselves as well and want to improve in every aspect, including both on and off the court. Practices have been intense every day, and the team continues to get better and better with each passing minute.
Here is our final project – we hope you enjoy!
-#32 Clayton Brothers
Friday, December 16, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Tipping-Off with Nate Sikma
HartfordHawks.com asked freshman guard Nate Sikma to reflect on his first month as a collegiate basketball player under head coach John Gallagher and also asked him to describe to us his feelings tip-off to the 2011-12 season rapidly approaches...
Hey Hawk fans,
I’m Nate Sikma, freshmen forward from Seattle, Washington here to fill you in on my experience so far with the Men’s Basketball squad. First off I would like to let all you fans know about how honored I am to represent the University of Hartford on and off the court and want to thank everyone who has supported the program throughout the years.
With our first game approaching Friday November 11th, I can’t really explain the feeling I have about suiting up for my first Division 1 collegiate basketball game. This is a goal I have strived for since the first day I touched a basketball, so it goes without saying that I am very excited. But what is even more special about the game is that I believe our team is well prepared and anxious to compete. The preseason practices have been nothing short of excellent. I feel as if our team has gelled together nicely and everyone including the seven freshmen new to the team this year improved a great amount heading into the season.
Although it was a tough adjustment in regards to the speed, strength and mental toughness it takes to compete on this level, I believe everyone has found their comfort zone and we are ready to start the journey. This would not be possible without the coaching staff here at Hartford. Coach Gallagher has done an excellent job of teaching us “the game” during our fall practices. He has been enthusiastic, patient and most important never lets us settle for anything less than our best.
This is why I think our team has shown great amounts of improvement so far this year. It takes an incredible group of coaches to take seven new faces along with guys who have a lot of experience at this level and find a way to bring us all together to strive for the same goal. They have done just that and I know the hard work will pay off for us this season.
Again, I want to thank everyone involved with the University as well as the basketball program, and all supporters of Hartford Athletics. We appreciate everything you do and would love to see you at our games this year!
GO HAWKS!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Judgment Day
It was intense. It was nerve racking. It was a test of mental and physical toughness. But at the end of Judgment Day, it was the best two days our team has ever been a part of. Day one consisted of three hours on the soccer field. It included sets of perfect pushups, flutter kicks, mountain climbers, and jumping jacks. Everything was to be executed perfectly, and if it was not, whoever was the leader of the group at the time was sure to get an earful from Sam Cila and Pat Downey, Judgment Day instructors. The team did relay races carrying sandbags and lifted log poles in unison, and also carried each other 101 yards across the field numerous times as if they were carrying someone out of a burning building. On Day two, the team was in the pool for three hours beginning at 5am. It was arguably the most challenging day of our player’s lives. But they found a way to attack it together, even when five people on the team couldn’t swim. Imagine trying to tread water wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt, while figuring out how to keep five of your teammates from drowning. The leadership experience we gained as a team from these two days was beyond belief, and we never even picked up a basketball. Check out some highlights from Judgment Day below.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Back on East Coast Time
Thirty-six hours after the Hawks departed from the Holiday Inn in Surfers Paradise, they arrived at Bradley International Airport near Hartford. A short while later, they were finally back on campus.
There was little rest for the team, which had meetings throughout the day Sunday to orient themselves to a new school year. Monday has called for compliance meetings and a student-athlete welcome, and classes for the 2010-11 school year begin on Tuesday. Several of the players were seen slowly dragging through the Sports Center on Monday as they met with academic advisor Arline Robbins and the coaching staff. They'll need a good nights sleep tonight to get themselves ready for the grind that begins in earnest on Tuesday.
Many players said that the Hawks' tour of Australia was the best trip of their lives, and most of the coaching staff would agree. Now, it's time for the team to get back to the normal routine, and get ready for the season which opens with Midnight Mania just a month-and-a-half from now. Check back to this blog throughout the season for updates on the Hawks at home and on the road as they work their way towards their goal of an America East crown.
There was little rest for the team, which had meetings throughout the day Sunday to orient themselves to a new school year. Monday has called for compliance meetings and a student-athlete welcome, and classes for the 2010-11 school year begin on Tuesday. Several of the players were seen slowly dragging through the Sports Center on Monday as they met with academic advisor Arline Robbins and the coaching staff. They'll need a good nights sleep tonight to get themselves ready for the grind that begins in earnest on Tuesday.
Many players said that the Hawks' tour of Australia was the best trip of their lives, and most of the coaching staff would agree. Now, it's time for the team to get back to the normal routine, and get ready for the season which opens with Midnight Mania just a month-and-a-half from now. Check back to this blog throughout the season for updates on the Hawks at home and on the road as they work their way towards their goal of an America East crown.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Last Day in Paradise
Tomorrow morning at 3 a.m., the Hartford Hawks will depart their Holiday Inn hotel in Surfers Paradise and trek back to Brisbane, where they will start their marathon journey back to Connecticut with a short flight to Sydney International Airport. For now, though, the team has been given a free day, and most are out at the beach enjoying the warm weather and bright sunshine of the Gold Coast. Some are relaxing in the hotel, where balconies give a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the sights and sounds of Surfers below.
The Hawks will gather as a team for one last meal together at 6 p.m., after which the players will be given an early curfew to get some rest before the flights begin. Over the course of the last 11 days, the Hawks have bonded as a team under new head coach John Gallagher, and are more prepared than ever for the rigors of the college basketball season this winter. For now, though, they are enjoying a little bit more time in the sun before going back home and starting school next week.
The Hawks will gather as a team for one last meal together at 6 p.m., after which the players will be given an early curfew to get some rest before the flights begin. Over the course of the last 11 days, the Hawks have bonded as a team under new head coach John Gallagher, and are more prepared than ever for the rigors of the college basketball season this winter. For now, though, they are enjoying a little bit more time in the sun before going back home and starting school next week.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Gametime is Over
The Hartford Hawks have completed their six-game Australian tour, falling to the Gold Coast Blaze, 97-50. The Blaze finished third in the top Australian pro league, the National Basketball League, last year. This season, they are expected to do even better.
Ross Erickson led the team with 11 points. Milton Burton had 10 points, five assists, three steals and three assists in a strong all-around game.
The Hawks now have a day-and-a-half free in Surfers Paradise, where they can relax on the beach after a nice team meal Thursday night. Hartford will wake up early Saturday morning and fly to Sydney, where they catch a plane to Los Angeles before flying on to Atlanta and finally Hartford.
Ross Erickson led the team with 11 points. Milton Burton had 10 points, five assists, three steals and three assists in a strong all-around game.
The Hawks now have a day-and-a-half free in Surfers Paradise, where they can relax on the beach after a nice team meal Thursday night. Hartford will wake up early Saturday morning and fly to Sydney, where they catch a plane to Los Angeles before flying on to Atlanta and finally Hartford.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Seafood a la Seniors
The Hawks arrived in Brisbane early Wednesday morning, and drove to the Holiday Inn in nearby Surfers Paradise. With views overlooking the big waves of the Pacific Ocean, the team was given a free afternoon in the oceanside town, a day before their game with the National Basketball League's Gold Coast Blaze.
Throughout the trip. Hartford has dined thanks to the organizational efforts of all the staff members on the trip. Each assistant and administrator was assigned a meal by head coach Kohb Gallagher. For that meal, the assignee was expected to negotiate a meal within budget at a restaurant that not only satiated the team, but also provided ambiance and service typical of the Australian people. On Wednesday night, the coaching staff had the night off and the seniors took over.
It was, quite simply, the best meal of the trip. With appetizers on the table as the team arrived, the seniors - Milton Burton, Kevin Estes, Anthony Minor, Morgan Sabia, Andres Torres and Joe Zeglinski - kept the team and staff more than happy as they waited for their fried fish, lobster or steak entrée.
A competition has emerged amongst the staff to see who would provide the best meal. To this point, assistant Drew Dawson's rib meal before the second-to-last game in Sydney was the leader. On Wednesday, the seniors more than proved their worth with a seafood meal fit for a championship team. They have left a tough task ahead of the staff in charge of the next two days' meals, and might be called upon for another great dining experience for the team's last meal in Australia later this week, something Coach Gallagher has promised to the "winner" of the competition. If Wednesday's dinner is any indication, the seniors are more than up to the challenge.
Throughout the trip. Hartford has dined thanks to the organizational efforts of all the staff members on the trip. Each assistant and administrator was assigned a meal by head coach Kohb Gallagher. For that meal, the assignee was expected to negotiate a meal within budget at a restaurant that not only satiated the team, but also provided ambiance and service typical of the Australian people. On Wednesday night, the coaching staff had the night off and the seniors took over.
It was, quite simply, the best meal of the trip. With appetizers on the table as the team arrived, the seniors - Milton Burton, Kevin Estes, Anthony Minor, Morgan Sabia, Andres Torres and Joe Zeglinski - kept the team and staff more than happy as they waited for their fried fish, lobster or steak entrée.
A competition has emerged amongst the staff to see who would provide the best meal. To this point, assistant Drew Dawson's rib meal before the second-to-last game in Sydney was the leader. On Wednesday, the seniors more than proved their worth with a seafood meal fit for a championship team. They have left a tough task ahead of the staff in charge of the next two days' meals, and might be called upon for another great dining experience for the team's last meal in Australia later this week, something Coach Gallagher has promised to the "winner" of the competition. If Wednesday's dinner is any indication, the seniors are more than up to the challenge.
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