Troy University Athletics
The Long Road to Hot Springs
3/8/2009 6:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
*scroll down to read the running story as the days progress at the Sunbelt Conference Tournament in Hot Springs, Arkansas - last updated at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 8
Friday, March 6, 2009
Pulling out of the Station at 10AM
Well...let the March Madness begin - and the countdown to my birthday. The men's basketball team overcame a disappointing record in out-of-conference play early in the season to secure a first round bye to the SunBelt Conference Tournament. I've been worng more than once this season - and thankfully so - and we've ended up with a fabulous conference record with 15 wins.
The Trojan Express sleeper coach will be pulling out of the station in a few minutes and I'll be blogging along the way to keep you all informed. I'll be creating a phtoto album as well.
I'm doubtful that we'll have a big crowd in Hot Springs due to the nine-plus hours it will take us to get there. I am super excited about the fact that the best pep band in the world will be there for us, as well as our cheerleaders. That helps to make a foreign arena feel more like home. The more comfortable the guys feel, the better they will play. Or that's the idea anyway.
I've baked some cookies and Red Velvet cupcakes (yes, Jason Jones- I left you one in the basketball office) to help satisfy some sweet-tooth cravings we may have along the way. I doubt they will last past Birmingham though.
Wish us some luck - we'll need it playing a team for the third time in one season and actually, the last team we played in regular season competition, South Alabama. We've battled through some late-season injuries and will hope they make marked improvement in the next 72 hours. But don't fret - I think we're well on our way to being 100% and will be ready to take the Jaguars to the last minute if that's what it takes.
See you again, maybe around Memphis! (IF I'm awake!!)
Until then, we'll be moving on down the road-
GO TROJANS!
ASteed
Finally...
After a stop in Olive Branch, Mississippi, to refuel and a very short dinner break in 'somewhere outside Little Rock, Arkansas', the Trojan Express arrived at the Austin Hotel in Hot Springs. That's officially 565 miles, 11 hours, and 20 cupcakes worth of driving.
We are all a bit restless after being cooped up in the bus for that length of time. Luckily, there are plenty of places for the guys to stretch out (except Tom, with him being 7 foot tall and all) and lots of opportunities for entertainment. I am almost positive there was a basketball tournament going on in the very back of the bus on somebody's game system. There was definitely a lot of ESPN being watched between there and here. Way more than I can handle in one day! I'm turning in with either a good book or a sappy girl movie...can't decide which.
We'll be practicing tomorrow morning at a local high school gym and then watching the women's team take on South Alabama at 3PM. Other than that, I'm anticipating walking around Hot Springs to see what the hype is all about. So far, the jury is still out!
Until tomorrow -
GO TROJANS!
ASteed
Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, 2009
Rise and shine! There were lots of kinks to work out Saturday morning after the long ride on the bus Friday. I knocked off the cobwebs with a 20 minute jog around downtown
We rode over to
After practice, we enjoyed lunch at the Brick House Grill ? got an opportunity to speak to Steve Dennis, Athletics Director, and his son, Cory, as well as Wes Allen and Chancellor Jack Hawkins. If you're ever in
We walked around the town a little before heading over to Summit Arena to watch the women play. The town reminds me of a very small Gatlinburg, or as I put it “Brundidge on steroids.” There are lots of antique dealers in addition to what the town was established on in the early 1900's ? the hot springs that boil up under the town's surface. There are fountains and springs just about everywhere you look on the Bath House Row.
The naturally heated spring water is anywhere from 90-120 degrees Fahrenheit. After putting my hand in one of them, I don't know if that much heat would be therapeutic or even tolerable. They rave about the benefits of the water around here and claim that people come from all over the world with their own bottles to take a piece of Arkansas home with them. I have not experienced what the bath houses have to offer, but in talking to some that have, it is a must if we stay around here a few more days. Maybe I should make a reservation after I finish writing this.
The bath houses are exquisitely fashioned and will take you back to the era of The Great Gatsby and the likes of Bugsy, the mob boss, if you're not careful. The architecture is fascinating and you can find something to catch your eye at every glance, from copper ductwork to stain glass ceilings and beautifully manicured surorundings. Absolutely beautiful!
After a quick walking tour, we headed to Summit Arena for the women's game. The women struggled through some injuries and gave their best efforts against
The wireless internet in the hotel is not quite up to par and I haven't been able to update as often as I'd like. I'm adding some pictures to the photo album from practice, our walk around town, and the women's game. Hope you enjoy.
Today, we're shooting around in the Summit Arena for a whopping 20 minutes at 10. The time change last night has us all a little off - some more than others. I'm thinking it'll help with the late start that we have tonight.
After that, it'll be a continuation of the Hot Springs Tour. There's a lookout tower that I want to visit sometime today if it's open. If not, I'll put it on the tentative list of things to do tomorrow.
Listen in tonight at 9:00 as we take on
GO TROJANS!
ASteed
