ISU WBB Alumni Weekend...

[PBP]

Folks:

This looks like it is going to be a once in a decade type affair.

Seton, has staff and his current team (along with some former players and yours truly) have been working hard the past several months to put together a weekend for the ages if you're an ISU WBB fan and supporter.

They are having an Alumni Reunion weekend starting Friday, September 28th. Adidas is helping to provide some gear for the alumni and ISU is also providing tickets to the NAU-ISU game on Saturday.

Things start with the Alumni Game at Reed Gym, Friday, September 28th at 6PM. Player introductions will start around 5:30 that evening.

FANS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND, FREE ADMISSION!


The last time the game was held was in 2014. 21 former players returned and about 350-400 fans were in attendance.

THIS YEAR'S EVENT BLOWS THAT ONE RIGHT OUT OF THE WATER!


As of this writing 37 FORMER PLAYERS and FIVE FORMER COACHES are slated to return and we figure to pick up a few more in the next few weeks.

37 FORMER PLAYERS from as far back as 1977-1978. 17 of them were part of Bengal championship clubs, 11 earned either first or second team All- Big Sky Conference honors and nine scored at least 1,000 points.

The list of those players is at the end of this comment.

Also among the returning coaches will be KEVIN GILBRIDE, who along with Sandra Noakes were the first co-head coaches in program history 1974-1975.

Kevin was also a G.A./ linebackers coach for the football program and would go on to be an assistant coach in the CFL and NFL (21 years / NFL). He worked for the Oilers, Jaguars, Chargers, Bills, Steelers and Giants where he won two Super Bowl's as Eli Manning's offensive coordinator.

It is going to be a memorable evening, so mark your calendars and bring your family and friends!

Seton, his staff and the current team will also be there that night to meet and greet the fan base.

Saturday the WBB ISU area at Benglefest will be the place to come and say "hello", to hang out and get to talk with some of your favorite former players who are invited to join the current team and staff.

The list of returnees starts now: (As of 8/21)

Michele Barnes (1983-1984)
Sheryl Bitter (2010-2014)
Cassie Bro (2001-2002)
Jenna Brown (2005-2009)
Lindsay Brown (2013-2017)
Jennifer Cannon (1991-1993)
Chelsea Chambers (2004-2006)
Devin Diehl (2006-2010)
Natalie Doma (2004-2008)
Rayneiqua Edwards (2009-2010)
Barbara Ehardt (1985-1987)
Kaylyn Fager (2006-2008)
Virginia Floyd (1977-1978)
Kari Green (2008-2011)
Michelle Grohs (2005-2009)
Oana Iacovita (2006-2010)
Nancy Imhoff (1985-1989)
Jessa Jeppesen (2011-2013)
Tressa Lyman (2015-2016)
Abyee Maracigan (2011-2013)
Hillary Merkley (1996-1997)
Camile Michaelson (2003-2005)
Stacy Nelson (1994-1997)
Freya Newton (2014-2017)
Kaela Oakes (2009-2013)
Chelsea Pickering (2007-2012)
Anna Lee Policicchio (2012-2016)
Lindsey Reed (2010-2014)
Laraine Skow (2000-2004)
Aralee Smith (2006-2008, 2010-2011)
Ashley Toner (1999-2003)
Alison Verona (1984-1988)
Andrea Videbeck (2007-2008, 2009-2010)
Lindy Whitley (2000-2004)
Alissa Willard (2012-2014)
Darcey Williams (1980-1984)
Stephanie Zeman (1986-1988)

ISU Alumni Game Returning Coaches:
Sandra Noakes (1974-1975)
Kevin Gilbride (1974-1975)
Nancy Graziano (1985-1991)
Ted Anderson (1987-1995)
Steve Hayes (1995-1996)

We sincerely hope to see you there that evening, Friday, September 28th at Reed Gym.

PBP

 

[Skippy]

Great job Mark. Should be a fun event.

 

[pocatato]

I wish there was a like button on this page. Great job, Mark.

 

[PBP]

Former player Stefanie Pemper has told us she is returning for the weekend. (1988-1992) Stefanie is now the head coach at the Naval Academy. She is the 38th former Bengal returning for the weekend. She is the best three point shoot in program history and in her senior season shot 50% from beyond the arc.

PBP

 

[PBP]

We received a confirmation this morning from Great Garver to return for the weekend. She is the 39th former player coming back. Greta played from 1987-1991, made 1st team all Big Sky Conference and holds the school record for most steals in a game with eight.

PBP

 

[PBP]

We've hit the magic number! 40 former players are now returning for the Alumni Weekend. Meg Salness who played from 1993-1998 and was the Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year in '93 contacted Seton today to let him know she's coming.

Meg's career high scoring game was 27 points.

Fans this is a night you won't want to miss. Be sure to join us at Reed Gym on Friday, September 28. Intros will start around 5:30, tip is slated about six.

PBP

 

[clawsout]

....if "Intros" start at 5:30.....tip off might be delayed for "an hour or so".....by the time the crowd gives recognition to so many GREAT players... AND coaches.....For sure I have a nickel that says the tip off won't be at 6 ..... :thumb:

 

[PBP]

UPDATE:

Now at 41 former players and five coaches returning for the Alumni Game / Weekend beginning Friday night September 28.

Also a slight change in the schedule for the Alumni Game that evening.

ISU volleyball practices until about 6PM that night. Fans / Alumni / Families / Friends are still encouraged to come early to catch the end of their workout. The player intros and game will start a little later than originally slated say around 6:20-6:30.

Alumni, regardless of if they are playing in the game that evening or not, are still welcome to arrive early. The WBB locker room will be open and available so you can stretch, put your uniform on and spend some time catching up with former teammates.

PBP

 

[PBP]

Thanks to Madison and the Journal for printing the story on the weekend:

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/members/isu-wbb-over-former-players-coaches-to-return-to-pocatello/article_c600f77b-102a-505c-87ac-40ea115d6441.html

Folks, please come out Friday to support one of the most successful programs in athletics at ISU as they get ready to begin their 44th season. The current team and staff will also be there to greet everyone.

PBP

 

[bengalman]

This game is a double header with the men's alumni game, yet no mention whatsoever of the men's game right after.

 

[Skippy]

The men could only scrap together 17 guys. Come on Matt, you can do better than that. -

https://isubengals.com/news/2018/9/27/general-over-60-bengals-to-return-for-basketball-alumni-game.aspx

 

[Spudhead]

I know the admission is free to the games, but is there any kind of fundraising planned to take advantage of all the basketball alumni who are back? It seems like another opportunity wasted if not.

 

[PBP]

This game is a double header with the men's alumni game, yet no mention whatsoever of the men's game right after.

Bengalman: I have nothing whatsoever to do with that end of the operation. You need to direct your fire to the proper department. I can't tell you what I don't know or have had anything to do with. The title of this thread was ISU WBB Alumni Weekend remember.

PBP

 

[PBP]

I know the admission is free to the games, but is there any kind of fundraising planned to take advantage of all the basketball alumni who are back? It seems like another opportunity wasted if not.

Spud: That's interesting. Hadn't thought of that. May be worth shooting an e-mail off to, I really don't know, the alumni association?

PBP

 

[PBP]

Many thanks for the 39 former players, five former coaches and about 400 fans who came to see the WBB alumni game tonight. Two of the original members of the first team actually played in the final minutes!

Like Seton said at the end how many schools could get 400 fans for an alumni game??

Just a wonderful, incredible start to the weekend.

PBP

 

[PBP]

DC has it exactly right in his commentary. You can't argue with history. Get on-board now folks for what figures to be another exciting season and if they stay away from injuries, another successful one:

https://www.localnews8.com/sports/dc-commentary-women-s-basketball-is-the-rock-of-isu-athletics/800911783

PBP

 

[PBP]

Highlights from the 2018 ISU WBB Alumni Game / Weekend:
https://www.facebook.com/IsuWBBAlumni/videos/300130040804026/UzpfSTEwMDU5ODAyMzQzMDg5NzpWSzozMDAxMzAwNDA4MDQwMjY/

Some of these ladies can still play!

And here are the player/coaching introductions to boot (best heard through headphones):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtr21RBC7Y0

PBP

 

[PBP]

In Friday's Idaho State Journal a number of former ISU WBB players wrote a nice "thank you" Letter to the Editor (Page A6 near the bottom) for the entire alumni weekend that took place last week.

That you again to all the former players and coaches who returned to make the weekend one that will not soon be forgotten. Just an incredible night / weekend for a lot of us that have watched this program succeed over the years because of the efforts of said players and coaches.

PBP

 

[PBP]

ISU's web site has now put up some video highlights from the Alumni Game weekend as well as some of the interviews that we did before it:

https://isubengals.com/news/2018/10/10/revisiting-the-best-moments-from-the-idaho-state-womens-basketball-alumni-game.aspx

PBP

 

[PBP]

The Idaho State Journal today has a nice story on Super Bowl winning coach Kevin Gilbride...who started his career as the ISU WBB coach!

Kevin came back for the alumni weekend from his home in New Jersey:

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/members/isu-wbb-former-bengals-coach-super-bowl-winner-kevin-gilbride/article_7488423e-f800-55a4-a787-0fbf0229d2e1.html

PBP