That a kid Lunt....congrats. UPS will be strong for years to come with Lunt at the controls.

NWC 2-0 so far. Nice work folks.

Question of the day. When was the last time a MIAC team defeated a NWC team in Tourney play?

...so with that said, W's and L's arent everything, there must be a reason.

For all the success Gil had at PLU, he very much did things his way. From what i understand, Ms. Turner is far more strict and has very different expectations of her coaching staff than previous AD's. She is very driven by alumni relations (specifically those with money) and expects fund raising to be a large part of the coaches tasks. Gil doesnt fund raise, he coaches basketball.

The same goes for his disconnect with the coaching staff during the summer when he retreats to his own world of tennis and doesnt take part in any additional curricular events, such as coaching meetings or department events.

From what i understand, Ms Tuner has different expectations and it is possible these differences led to a parting of ways.

Its pretty rare to see a coach with his success and resume be let go without visible court antics (Gil got one Technical in his PLU career), or NCAA violations. So it leaves most of us scratching our heads wondering how it is possible he is leaving on someone's terms other than his own.

It goes to show you that it takes a lot to be a head coach and handle success. So many hats to wear, so many people to answer too, so many rules to follow, and ultimately, that might be what brought an end. Gil wanted to do one thing....be on the court, and he wanted to do it on his terms. It brough PLU ten years of great basektball, most likely the ten best years this program will ever see...and for that, to Coach Gil Rigell, I say thank you.

"Together Lutes"

"The Lutes never finished below .500 under Rigell, who leaves with a 196-69 record and five Northwest Conference titles in his 10 seasons."

...So i guess it isnt just about wins and losses. I spent some time today talking to folks around the program, folks I trust a great deal. I figure that my history of posting on this site has always circled around the best available facts i can get and the best i can do to squash rumor. Worth noting, i haven't spoken to Ms. Turner or Coach Rigell, so anything i say here is based completely off sources (or opinion) and not the two actually in the meeting.

#1. Gil is an amazing coach and teacher. He loved the game, taught it well and gave as much or more to his program and players as he expected from it. Players that flourished under him were players with heart and mental toughness, his gym was not for the weak. He turned this program into an instant winner, taking amazing individual talent (Corbray, Millet, Hampton) and created a team, a winning team. He was also an amazing recruiter. His first recruiting class consisted of Franza, Iserman, Keatts and continued on with players like C. Johnson, Nikki Johnson, Turner and Mann. He ended with a winning record against every NWC team except Fox, which as a rival, are some of the most memorable games in NWC history.

Gil followed NCAA rules to a T. Didnt believe in short cuts and surrounded himself with coaches that had the same passion and respect for the game as he did. What impressed me most was how Gil would actually step away from basketball, for an entire summer, and focus on his real love, tennis. Taking a break from the game kept him fresh and inspired, and even more impressive when you consider his peer group is known for year round obsessing over the game and their team. He let his players do their thing over the summer, and every one of them came back ready to go, day one of practice, because they knew that once the season started, he was going to work them harder than anyone else.

Gil was loyal. He had several chances to take on higher profile, scholarship school jobs. He passed on Seattle Pacific to stay with PLU and was even pressured twice to jump over and take on the mens program at PLU. But his loyalty was to his players, his staff, and the fans that had once again fallen in love with PLU Women's Basketball.

...i missed the entire season. I havent seen a single NWC game this year, sad to admit, but I see Fox is right back at it again. They are never out of it long with Rueck on the sidelines. Congrats to him and the Bruins on another NWC Title.

UPS seems to be mainstay as well at the top of the NWC standings, so congrats to the Lady Loggers as well on their NCAA birth.

Unfortunatly, those awesome achievements for Fox and UPS isnt what has brought me back from the dead. And while i havent been an active part in this years NWC discussion (damn geography) it is nice to know my good friends and rock solid sources know when to make a phone call.

And while I think it only fair for PLU to have it's official announcement released before i open up on my alma mater and former program, what they are about to do is a an absolute disgrace to everyone that has ever been in the program or supported PLU basketball. Such a decision is cowardly at best...and is hard to believe is a decision that is best for the institution and its players.

Today is a dark day for PLU basketball..... www.plu.edu/athletics

more to follow....

It was particularly tough for the Loggers since their leading scorer, Kilty Keaton, suffered a mid-foot sprain to her left foot last weekend against PLU and will likely need surgery. After wearing a protective boot all week, Keaton saw her output drop from her 14.4-point average to 10 points in 24 minutes in the Loggers' first-round win over California Lutheran on Friday and five points against the Lutes in 25 minutes Saturday.

"I asked her if she could even play, and she said she wanted to finish her career on the floor," Barcomb said. "She shouldn't have even been out there."


I got my answer on Keaton. Wish she would have been full strength. She had a nice career at UPS, was a pleasure to watch.

He was escourted out? Wow...that is a little over the top. I was sitting within ear shot of him much of the time and don't remember him being rude or loose lipped. Maybe someone had enough, althought it seems a "please stop" would do it.

On another note...do you think anyone from UPS would come over and join the PLU crowd and cheer for a NWC team? I know UPS/PLU are rivals and I know it would be a stretch. I found myself enjoying the UPS fan that was working his crowd, flashing hand signals on how to cheer for a made freethrow. I love that sort of enthusiasm for the game and for being a fan.

I thought PLU's crowd was pretty loud and did a good job, but am still disappointed with the lack of total attendance. One of the major benefits of hosting is your crowd being #1 Present, #2 Loud, and #3 Organized. PLU doesnt get as much pure community attendance as other NWC schools, so student attendance is a major factor.

Hope the student body can get fired up about hosting the Sweet 16. Taken 7 years for the NWC to get this...we need to show we deserve it.

Quote from: rimshot on March 05, 2006, 09:50:20 PM
ghr-
You are right this is a big opportunity for PLU and the NWC to show(off) a bit if you will.  Once again---i think this might be 5 years in a row that the NWC is the lone west region team standing---could be wrong----where's Parkland--- when you need him.

If i remember correctly the last time a West team NOT in the NWC made the Sweet 16 it was Chapman (when Coach Heagarty was still at the controls). They split up Chapman and PLU. I think Chapman had to go through Claremont MS and Carleton while PLU got a bye and played St. Ben's at home. That put Chapman and PLU against one another in the Sweet 16. PLU won that game then lost to eventual National Champion UW-SP.

Wow...i am losing it. I remember St. Thomas coming to GFU and winning pretty big. Maybe it was in '99. I am starting to lose my memory. Probably wasnt even a Sweet 16.

Looks like retirement might be my best option.

Yes - In 2000. PLU and Fox tied for the NWC Title at 14-2. That year, the NWC got in 4 teams (along with Whitworth and Linfield). Fox hosted and defeated Linfield in the 1st round, the same as PLU did to Whitworth. If i remember, it was a Wed night game. I believe the NWC was still more like the NCIC and we were still independant status.

Then on Sat night, PLU went to St. Thomas (MIAC) while Cal Lutheran went to Fox. PLU lost and Fox won setting up the Bruins for a trip to the Sweet 16.

This is the only time the NWC has hosted a Sweet 16 regional. St. Thomas beat Fox at Wheeler by 12 at the hands of All American Katie Peterson.

Sounds like they have committed the winner of the West Regional to hosting the next round. Here is a question...what if Cal Lu wins? Will the NCAA then shift where the region is hosted?

Ugh....a possible 4th UPS/PLU game...wrong again. Glad both UPS and PLU got in, just wish the NWC didnt have to eliminate itself so early to get to the final 4. Would have loved seeing UPS and PLU make runs at it to show what kind of conference the NWC is.

Money, Money, Money.

UPS and PLU in...very nice. Wondering if it will look like this tomorrow morning.

Wed: Cal Lutheran @ Chapman

Winner of that game plays at PLU on Saturday.

UPS goes to Simpson with St. Bens and Concordia-Moorhead.

Since the 63 teams creates a bye and the money is thin to go West, PLU could get the bye Friday night letting Chapman and Cal Lu fight for the change to play in Tacoma. Just hoping they dont put PLU and UPS in the same regional bracket. 4 times is too many this early on the tourney. Just my opinion.

Congrats to both the Lutes and Loggers. I anticipate both will do well in the tourney and think with a week of rest the Loggers will get their legs back. They looked a little tired on Sat as many of their shots were short.

Will check it early Monday am.

UPS and PLU. Love it. Going to be a heck of a game. Can't wait. See ya all Sat from Parkland.

Swiss - I agree teams focused on her, part of being POY. And honestly, i held her to a higher standard, might not be fair, but I did.

Just the same, teams focus on Arnall and her monster stat lines. Her problem, she doesnt have anyone good around her to take off the pressure.

St. Bens lost last night...now they are a bubble team. Gotta think that is a good thing in this region and should put both UPS and PLU a pick ahead for an at-large.