Umpqua Alumni Makes WWE Debut

Former UCC alumni Sarona Snuka has signed a contract with the WWE and recently made her national television debut on the WWE's Monday Night RAW where she teamed with the Uso brothers to take on the Hart Dynasty. Sarona played at UCC from 1997-1999 and then later spent a season as one of our assistant coaches. She came back to Roseburg and spent a few days at practice with us this past season and knocked people around with the same intensity and competitiveness as she did ten years ago.

A interesting side not is that if you Google "Sarona Snuka images" one of the very first pictures to come up is one of Sarona and my eleven year old daughter Taylor that was taken during Sarona's last visit here. It's funny to see that same picture, which had to be copied off of this blog, displayed on various wrestling web sites.

See the girl laying on the mat? The picture was taken shortly after Sarona hit her! I'm pretty sure anyone who has ever gone through our 2 on 2 rebounding drill against Sarona knows that same feeling!!

UCC Campus Community Comes Up Huge

Two weeks ago I sent out a mass email to the entire UCC campus community volunteering to pick up any and all household items that would otherwise be discarded or possibly donated to charity. With every one of our new players coming from out of the area, including 10 players coming from out of state, I was confidant that I could find a good home for nearly everything. The response has been nothing short of amazing! Mattresses, couches, silverware, glasses, lamps, etc. etc. have all been offered, accepted and picked up and will all be put to great use by some extremely appreciative student-athletes.

In return our team has offered to "pay" for the donations by doing yardwork, babysitting, housework and other chores that will not only show our appreciation but will undoubtedly help us all bond as well. In a age where way too many young people have been spoiled their whole lives and have had everything handed to them, I think it's great that our players are not only willing but anxious to work for everything they receive!

Donations are still coming in, but once everything is picked up and distributed, I'll post the names of all those who contributed here in the blog. But until then . . . THANK YOU everybody, you've made a huge difference!!

Dr. Jim Kraby - 20 Wins Or Else!

I was working in my office today when the sound of a familar voice made me get out of my chair and walk out into the hallway where I immediately saw Dr. Jim Kraby, the former President of UCC who hired me several years ago. Dr. Kraby retired eight years ago and even though he is now living in Arizona with his wife Pat, his heart is evidently still in the UCC gym.

We walked back into my office and the first thing Dr. Kraby said to me was, "What happened in the Skagit Valley game? You played so well all year but then couldn't make a shot those first six minutes!" He knew our record, all the players names, important stats, etc. and was truly disappointed that we didn't get that one more win. Dr. Kraby walked straight over to a picture of one of our championship teams, the one where he is standing in the front holding the championship trophy with a big smile on his face, and said, " I have this picture hanging in my house in Arizona!"

I couldn't help but thinking back at the first time we met; when he interviewed me right before he offered me the coaching position that I still have today. "All you have to do to keep your job," Kraby told me, "is to win 20 games a year and make sure your players stay out of trouble!" (Of course I told him that my goals were much higher than just 20 a year.) To this day I still don't know if he was dead serious or not, but every year, on the morning after our 20th win, I would get a call or an email telling me that I could sign another contract and stay on for one more year.

Even though he's been in Arizona for eight years, I STILL get an email each season the morning after our 20th win telling me I deserve to stay on one more year. I'm already looking forward to the next one!!

Heidi Buehler

Heidi Buehler, UCC's all time leading scorer, left a post on my Facebook wall that's a great reminder as to why I coach. I can't remember our exact won-loss records when Heidi played between 2000-2002 (although I do know we won a LOT of games!) but I do remember the road trips, our talks in the office, the time we spent laughing, and the intensity that she brought to every team practice and individual workout. It's a great feeling to know that you've made a positive difference in someone else's life!

Here's Heidi's post: "Thanks for the B-Day wish. . .I miss you too Dave:) You are a huge reason I am the person I am today. I can't say that I have ever had someone in my life that has pushed me and cared about me as much as you have. I know that I am only ONE out of 100 people you have helped over the years but I must say that UCC was life changing. Thank you. . .I have much LOVE for You."

Stanford Cardinal Basketball Examiner: Will Westhead style challenge Stanford women's supremacy?

UCC's style of offense and Kristi Fallin are mentioned in this Bay Area article:

Stanford Cardinal Basketball Examiner: Will Westhead style challenge Stanford women's supremacy?

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At UCC We Like Being "Abnormal"

"Winning is not normal and those who constantly win follow an "abnormal" path. The discipline, dedication, and sacrifices are incomprehensible to those thousands standing outside looking in, who are capable of joining he winning team, yet unwilling to pay the price of admission."
(Author Unknown)