March 4, 2009

Anyone up for spring break in Newport, Rhode Island? Well, that is exactly what we got to do! It just happens to be that our spring break was two days long and we were in Newport for less than two hours. On Wednesday, February 25 we flew out of Columbus for our last regular season road game against Rhode Island. Adding to our already impressive track record of seeing famous people in airports, we actually checked through security and waited with the defending Major League Soccer Champion Columbus Crew! Of course Casey (Nance), the most outgoing player on the team, was the first to approach them. It turns out they were headed to play a friendly (yea, that's a soccer term) in England!

With our game not starting until 7 p.m., we used our little bit of free time on Thursday to take a bus tour of Newport, Rhode Island. Like most people, I had heard of Newport, but didn't actually have a great concept of what it is. I now know it is a beautiful area filled with over-the top beachfront houses. It also had a very quaint, historical little downtown, also located right on the water. Having grown up on the water, I quickly fell in love with the scenery. Perhaps someday I will be fortunate enough to have a vacation home there like the Kennedy's. As a matter of fact, we not only were able to see where President Kennedy and his wife vacationed, but also the church in which they were married!

The interview I had for this trip came from the most unique perspective on the team. I interviewed former player and current student-coach Brittany Holterman.

Brittany Holterman
Like I said, Brittany has an interesting perspective having been a player on our team just last year to now acting as a student-coach. I had to know, how is traveling as a coach different from traveling as a player?
Traveling as a coach, I can eat whatever I want; I can go to bed whenever I want, and I don't have to drink water all the time. So, on the surface, it seems like it would be better or more fun. But, actually, that's not the case at all. It really is more fun to be a player and have the thrill of competing against other teams and even each other. It's still fun to be on the bench and cheer on the team, but it's a whole new perspective.

Being a wise old Flyer Alum, I was curious to see if Brittany had any advice to give our young team going into the A-10 Tournament.
Take one game at a time because every team is bringing their A-game to the A-10 tournament. You really have to play as a team too, because playing four games in four days is a lot to ask, so it's really important that everyone contributes. Have fun and have confidence in yourself. It's tournament time and anything can happen!

On our trip, we were able to visit the popular summer vacation spot of the rich and famous known as Newport, Rhode Island.
It was really interesting because I'm a civil engineer and looking at the architecture and how old some of these houses were. It really was just amazing. A lot of them were masonry or stone houses; I just can't imagine having that be my house or my summer house.

I've been really impressed with how talented overall the girls on the team are; not just on the court. Taking this into account, I asked Brittany who she would chose if she had to eat a meal completely chosen and cooked by one of our players, who would it be?
Gosh, that's a tough one. I think I'm going to have to go with Marie (Rosche). Because a couple years ago she lived with Karah Cloxton, a really good friend of mine, and I remember that she cooked a lot. Plus she's experienced. All the other freshmen don't have kitchens in their dorms and I'm sure they aren't so experienced. Kendel (Ross), maybe, just because she likes food so much. But, I think I'm going to have to stick with Marie based on experience.

Rhode Island was our last regular season road trip after an exciting and successful season! Have no fear, though, as I will return with one final (and I mean final because I am graduating!) Louis and the Ladies upon our return from the Atlantic 10 Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.