MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[LCasid]

Congratulations to LC and Hillary Scott.  It sounds as though the Hornets have made a wise and natural choice.  Welcome back to Virginia and the ODAC!

It's actually Hilliary Scott, I didn't realize that until yesterday, I had been spelling it as Hillary the whole time. He comes very highly regarded from everyone who has ever been around him. So unds like he will be here for the long haul, he's got a two year old kid and an 8 week old kid and one of the reasons why he wanted to come here is to be back with his family (he grew up in Lynchburg and his family is still here) so his kids could be near the grandparents and the rest of his family.

Everyone here is excited about the hire, especially the players!

[LCasid]

Here's a nice article on Hilliary Scott's hiring
http://www.pennlive.com/columns/patriotnews/jones/index.ssf?/base/columnists/121107391473610.xml&coll=1

Notables from it:
"For the longest [time], I've always seen myself as a Division III coach," Scott said Friday. "I had such a great experience."

"This isn't a stepping-stone job," said Scott as he packed up his PSU office. "This is a long-term gig. It's my hometown and I think I could see myself being there for a while.

[jdubyadubya]

LCacid - is Swickrath still in town? Does he still have a role at LC? Any info on LC recruits. Are you guys going to be good?

[LCasid]

LCacid - is Swickrath still in town? Does he still have a role at LC? Any info on LC recruits. Are you guys going to be good?

Not for long, he got the head womens job at Brescia. No, he will be operating his annual summer camps as an outsider. don't know. Can't be any worse, but the players are super excited over Hilliary Scott.

[Pat Coleman]

Another ODAC coaching change

[kramsay]

Sorry to hear Bubba is moving on from H-SC, but I think the AD should be looking at William and Mary to bring Dee Vick back to Fleet. 

[tigerfanalso]

Dee Vick and Chad Warner would be my first two picks if I was AD or on the selection committee.

I think this will be a good thing for both HSC and the Smith Family. I wish them well at The University of the South.

Finding a replacement should be quick and easy. Good luck along the way.

[LCasid]

look for a new design on the Turner Gym floor this year. With the addition of the new three-point line, the school decided to re-paint the floor with a design that looks like it's from the 2000s instead of the 1920s practically. Word is that it is going to be pretty snazzy looking. I haven't gotten a chance to check it out yet but I'll try and go see this week and try to take some pictures when it's completed - which should be pretty soon.

[DoubleTiger]

I think this will be a good thing for both HSC and the Smith Family. I wish them well at The University of the South.

I'm curious to know why you say this will be a good thing for H-SC.

[tigerfanalso]

Good for HSC because they will hire a coach that wants to be there.

Good for the Smith family because they will be closer to family and working for a great school.

[HSCfan]

Bubba Smith's decision was definitely a difficult one. He loved Hampden-Sydney and all of those who were associated with the school and program. He loved his players with all of his heart. This was a tough decision for him, but ultimately a great one, in my opinion, for himself, his wife, and four children. I wish him the best of luck at Sewanee and thank him for his excellent contributions to the garnet and grey. The Tigers to the west are getting a great coach. Two ODAC championships in five years ain't bad!

As for a replacement, I'm sure the selection committee will decide on a coach that exemplifies strong character and hard work like Smith did during his tenure. H-SC is lucky to have an option as great as a Dee Vick, and I hope that the Tigers can find a way to lure him back to Farmville! 

[hasanova]

Dee Vick and Chad Warner would be my first two picks if I was AD or on the selection committee.

I think this will be a good thing for both HSC and the Smith Family. I wish them well at The University of the South.

Finding a replacement should be quick and easy. Good luck along the way.

Best wishes for Bubba at Sewanee - he's certainly done a good job at HSC!

Any thoughts that Ryan Odom might also be in the mix?

[tigerfanalso]

Hasa:

I really don't know who might be in the mix; I'm simply speculating when I mentioned Vick and Warner in an earlier post. But now that you mention Ryan Odum, that sounds really good as well. Good genes and attached to both HSC and NCAA b'ball. It is going to be an interesting process and will add some excitement to an otherwise boring time of the year !!!

Cheers

[78rmc]

Another ODAC coaching change

Gosh, I wonder if anyone at HSC saw this coming?  It's an interesting coaching move, at best a lateral professional move.  As an outsider, I thought Smith had a great situation at HSC and the program is much stronger than Sewanee.  Maybe the 'going home' with a growing family was a big draw to Tennessee.  I wish him luck and hoping it takes HSC a couple of years to recoup.   

[HSCfan]

The situation at H-SC is not as terrific as it may appear. Yes, there is a great tradition of success over the last 20 years, but as the school becomes more and more expensive to attend, it becomes much harder to attract the great athletes that have been such an instrumental part of the program's past. Players such as Tee Jennings, Nate Schwab, Jack Jirak, Marcus Gregory, Brandon Randall, and Jeff Monroe become tougher to recruit. I think aside from maybe W&L (and this is purely speculation), H-SC may be the most expensive school in the ODAC to attend. Include the fact that H-SC does not have the "national reputation" of a W&L, and I believe that the Hampden-Sydney situation is a much more difficult one than at first glance.

If tuition continues to rise, tradition can only carry a program such as H-SC but so far. It will be interesting to track the success of all of Hampden-Sydney's programs in the coming years ahead.