Ex-Raider hoops stars meet Brownell
Jun 9, 2006 6:06:13 GMT -5
Post by Class of '83 on Jun 9, 2006 6:06:13 GMT -5
Ex-Raider hoops stars meet new boss Brownell
Lyle Falkner, Bill Edwards, Vernard Hollins among group that came back to their alma mater for a visit.
By Marc Katz
Staff Writer
FAIRBORN | About 30 former Wright State basketball players — Hall-of-Famers and leading scorers back to the Division II days, visited the year-old Setzer Pavilion Thursday to meet new coach Brad Brownell.
He hopes he'll see them again.
"Sure, we want them to know us and if they see a (high school) player, to call us," Brownell said. "But we want to introduce them to our players and let them know what they can accomplish after they're done playing basketball."
Lyle Falkner (1973-76) — he of the perfect jump shot — started his WSU career in the Stebbins High School gym before the Raiders moved into their new Physical Education Building, now the school's bookstore. He has been a high school teacher and coach since he left, and when WSU showed no interest in his son, sent him to Akron to play.
Now, Falkner figures he'll be able to make suggestions to his alma mater.
"We've got this 6-10 kid in our league who's going to be a junior," Falkner said. "I don't know how good he's going to be yet, but he's 6-10."
All-time leading scorer Bill Edwards (1990-93) also attended, parking his auto on the big orange basketball painted in the middle of the Pavilion parking lot. Edwards is still playing in Germany.
"He's tough," said Vernard Hollins (2001-04). "We played his team twice and lost both times."
"We beat them three times," Edwards said.
"Twice," said Hollins.
Hollins and teammates Seth Doliboa and Braden Bushman went through a coaching change the way the Raiders are now. All had played for Ed Schilling, then were asked to switch allegiances to Paul Biancardi as seniors for the 2003-04 season.
"It's difficult," said Hollins, who eventually had the best experience with Biancardi. "Understand, everybody wants to win. The players want to win, the coaches want to win. You've got to buy into the system to win."
Hollins said he met Brownell for the first time a week ago and watched some individual workouts.
"He has a great feel for the game," Hollins said. "He makes the guys play hard, but they'll be better players."
Brownell told the former players he was happy they could come.
"We're a program more than just players. We're more than just coaches," Brownell said. "We're everybody."
www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/wsu/daily/0609wsubb.html
Lyle Falkner, Bill Edwards, Vernard Hollins among group that came back to their alma mater for a visit.
By Marc Katz
Staff Writer
FAIRBORN | About 30 former Wright State basketball players — Hall-of-Famers and leading scorers back to the Division II days, visited the year-old Setzer Pavilion Thursday to meet new coach Brad Brownell.
He hopes he'll see them again.
"Sure, we want them to know us and if they see a (high school) player, to call us," Brownell said. "But we want to introduce them to our players and let them know what they can accomplish after they're done playing basketball."
Lyle Falkner (1973-76) — he of the perfect jump shot — started his WSU career in the Stebbins High School gym before the Raiders moved into their new Physical Education Building, now the school's bookstore. He has been a high school teacher and coach since he left, and when WSU showed no interest in his son, sent him to Akron to play.
Now, Falkner figures he'll be able to make suggestions to his alma mater.
"We've got this 6-10 kid in our league who's going to be a junior," Falkner said. "I don't know how good he's going to be yet, but he's 6-10."
All-time leading scorer Bill Edwards (1990-93) also attended, parking his auto on the big orange basketball painted in the middle of the Pavilion parking lot. Edwards is still playing in Germany.
"He's tough," said Vernard Hollins (2001-04). "We played his team twice and lost both times."
"We beat them three times," Edwards said.
"Twice," said Hollins.
Hollins and teammates Seth Doliboa and Braden Bushman went through a coaching change the way the Raiders are now. All had played for Ed Schilling, then were asked to switch allegiances to Paul Biancardi as seniors for the 2003-04 season.
"It's difficult," said Hollins, who eventually had the best experience with Biancardi. "Understand, everybody wants to win. The players want to win, the coaches want to win. You've got to buy into the system to win."
Hollins said he met Brownell for the first time a week ago and watched some individual workouts.
"He has a great feel for the game," Hollins said. "He makes the guys play hard, but they'll be better players."
Brownell told the former players he was happy they could come.
"We're a program more than just players. We're more than just coaches," Brownell said. "We're everybody."
www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/wsu/daily/0609wsubb.html
