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Rmac Athletes Give a Lift
Baskeball players during the basketball tournament showed they truly cared about their teammates and opponents.
(PRWEB) March 18, 2005 -- During the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Basketball Tournament on March 4th and 5th in Colorado Springs, I had the opportunity to watch six games of basketball (3 each for the men and women). The efforts by the players, cheerleaders, dance teams, and band (thank you, Ft. Hays State) were evident. Although the Ft.Hays Pep Band might have outdrawn some of the Denver/Springs contingent, I was glad that I got to watch some exciting brand of basketball. Besides the play on the floor, I was most impressed by some of the intangibles off the court.
The first intangible that I noticed was during the announcement of starting lineups. Dwayne Horn of Mesa State would jump high in the air and (body) touch a jumping teammate when the teammates name was announced. This flamboyancy seemed to elevate the Mesa team (out of the gates) as they upset Nebraska-Kearney in the semi-finals; Mesa even played a strong first-half against RMAC tournament champion Metro State.
Dusty Jura of Nebraska-Kearney turned in the second impressive feat. Besides playing very hard on both ends of the court, he had the presence of mind to help an opponent (several times) get up who fell to the ground. Jura could have easily run passed the opponent while heading back on defense; instead, he showed true sportsmanship and gave the opponent a lift. This opponent was on the ground, because he tried to take a charge on Jura.
The Metro State coaches and players turned in the third and most impressive action. One member of their staff, Brandon Wise, has cerebral palsy. Brandon uses an electric wheelchair. Prior to the game, the coaching staff, including head coach Mike Dunlap, made certain Brandon was properly situated in a manual wheelchair for the game, because his electric chair could not be used on the elevated floor. Following the championship win, Ryon Nickle, one of the senior co-captains, made sure that Brandon was included in the celebration. Ryon assisted in pushing Brandon, so he could have a great vantage point with regards to the net cutting celebration. This action showed that Ryon (and the others) truly cared and honored Brandon for being a part of the team.
Jerry Izenberg, sports reporter for the Newark Star-Ledger, once wrote about a benefit basketball game for Maurice Stokes in the August 11, 1985 newspaper. The part that struck me the most was the special athletes who care about their teammates and opponents. Mr. Izenbergs piece was titled Something about Caring." Perhaps, these RMAC athletes have already taken the lead.
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