September 13, 2011

Breaking Bread with the Nittany Lions

We Are… One Lunch. One Team… Penn State Basketball

Lady Lion fans- I hope you brought your appetite because you are invited to come to lunch with the Penn State Basketball staffs.  Recently, Coquese organized a joint lunch between her Lady Lion staff and Coach Patrick Chambers’ Nittany Lion Basketball staff.  This wasn’t a working lunch to discuss X’s and O’s.  This was a social outing and an opportunity to meet people beyond a name and title.  We picked one of our favorite State College restaurants, The American Ale House (you have to try the Filet Mignon Salad).  Coquese had just one rule- don’t sit next to anyone you already know.  So we staggered our seats and introduced ourselves to any new faces.  The food was amazing as always and the conversation was as quick as an Alex Bentley's drive to the hoop.  We talked about families, hometowns, players, pets, recruiting, PSU sports, the weather, the Big 10, where we’ve been and where we’re headed. 

The Lady Lions shared why we love Penn State and offered any advice to a new staff.  In turn, the Nittany Lion coaches talked about the high expectations they are placing on themselves and plans their plans in reaching them.  One thing it turns out we didn’t need to discuss was how vital it is for the Women’s and Men’s programs to work together because that just came naturally.  Not long into lunch it was clear that we weren’t staggered by men’s and women’s teams anymore.  We broke bread at the table as a Penn State Basketball family and found a mutual respect in each program.  We are each other’s biggest supporters and cheerleaders.  We will challenge each program to get better.  We will enjoy each other’s rise to success.  Turns out we are a tremendously competitive bunch and that will drive us.  Most of all, we shortened the long hallway that separates the two programs in the Bryce Jordan Center and we agreed that we will make this a regular occurrence- to share each other’s company and pick each other’s brains.
 

Please join the Lady Lions in welcoming Coach Chambers and his staff to Happy Valley.  Come out to games and get the BJC rocking for men’s basketball.  I know you will see your favorite Lady Lion players there in the stands!  Wear your Penn State Basketball clothing.  If you see one of the members of the men’s team ask them why they wear a wrist band that says ATTITUDE.  Seek out an opportunity to hear Coach Chambers speak.  Encourage someone to join Nittany Nation. 

 Coquese, can you pass the salt?  Hey Pat, take a look, do I have anything in my teeth?  Oh- I think I ate too much.  Check please.  See you back at the BJC!