Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews North Texas cheerleader La’Tia Travis

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Saturday North Texas had a 4-PT OT win over Western Kentucky in the C-USA tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Mean Green lost 3 straight games to finish the regular season but won 4 conference tourney games in 4 days last week to earn a spot in the NCAA tourney for the 1st time since 2010. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with La’Tia Travis about being a captain and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis tonight.

You grew up in The Colony: what made you choose North Texas? What made me choose North Texas was touring the campus and truly falling in love with the environment. I loved the sense of community as well as the pride that the city of Denton has for the Mean Green. Not only was I set on coming to UNT to pursue a degree, but I wanted to continue cheerleading at a collegiate level and I believed that North Texas was the team for me. After attending a cheer clinic in the spring I instantly fell in love with the program and wanted to become a part of it!

You have been a cheerleader on the all-girl squad for 4 years: what is your favorite part of being a cheerleader? My favorite part of being a cheerleader is just being involved. We are given so many great opportunities to represent our school’s athletic teams and student organizations. Being a part of all the school spirit and pride has made my experience here at North Texas unforgettable!

You have been a captain for 2 years: what is the key to being a good leader? After being in a leadership position for 2 years I would say that it is important to know your team and connect with your teammates. As a captain it is your responsibility to make decisions that will be beneficial to your squad and your program, and that is only possible if you know your teams goals and motives. Always put your team first!

What does the cheer team do at basketball games during a normal year? This has not been the typical year for us when it comes to cheering on our teams. We would normally be cheering on the Mean Green right by the court in front of the student section. During timeouts we got the chance to interact with the crowd by doing stunts, pyramids, tumbling, and band chants on the court. Although this year has been unlike past years we are still grateful that we were given the opportunity to safely cheer on our favorite basketball team from the stands!

What do you think the role of a college cheer team is today? Overall, the role of a college cheer team is to be spirit ambassadors for their college/university.

You are majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Health Promotion: why did you pick those subjects, and what is the post-graduation plan? I chose Kinesiology and Health Promotion as my field of study due to my interest in human physiology as well as health/exercise/nutrition. When it comes to post-graduation I do not have a concrete plan just yet but I do plan to continue coaching. I have been working as a gymnastics coach for about 2 years and a cheerleading instructor for about 4 years and have loved every minute of it!

How do you like basketball, and is that your favorite sport? A large part of my childhood was staying up late and watching the Dallas Mavs with my dad so I have always enjoyed watching (and now cheering for) basketball! I would not say that I have a favorite sport: I love many different sports for many different reasons. But my favorite sports TEAM? That is an easy one: GMG!

Last Saturday the Mean Green had a 4-PT OT win over Western Kentucky in the C-USA tourney title game: how excited was the student body to make its 1st NCAA tourney appearance since 2010? A Mean Green win is always an exciting time for the city of Denton. We are especially proud of our boys for bringing back ANOTHER C-USA championship title: light the tower!

Due to COVID your team has been unable to participate this season and you will not be traveling with the team to Indianapolis this week: how frustrating is it to be a cheerleader for a great basketball team during a pandemic? Our team has been able to participate this season: just from a distance! As unfortunate as it is that we are unable to travel with our basketball team this year, we understand that safety and health is the number one priority right now. We will not be courtside in Indianapolis but we will be cheering just as loud (if not louder) all the way from Denton, Texas!

You are playing Purdue tonight: any predictions? We are beyond excited to see the Mean Green play Purdue. I predict that they are going to put on a show and make all of North Texas proud: good luck boys!

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews North Texas cheerleader La’Tia Travis

Puppet Ramblings: Round of 64, Day 1

Posted on March 19, 2021 by David Griggs

-My first thought is that Stalica is MUCH better at this than I am

-Looking back at yesterday’s First Four games, all were exciting!!  Very few were well played, but all were exciting!!  Michigan State v UCLA was played with high intensity, and every time it looked like one of the teams was falling apart, they’d regroup, make a big play, and then swing the momentum back their way.  UCLA got the win in overtime!  It is their FIRST EVER First Four win!!  Jon Wooden never managed a First Four win at any point in his career!!

-Norfolk State and Texas Southern won their first four games to advance to the Round of 64.  I’m kind of glad that both the SWAC and the MEAC Will each earn two units from this year’s NCAA Tournament.  I kind of complained yesterday about how I’m not a fan of the First Four, but for the UTR leagues that play in it, it’s a chance to double their normal number of units (one) and therefore double their revenue.

-Drake had a really bad first half, and Wichita State had a worse second half.  It’s a big win for Drake who is back in the Round of 64 for the first time since 2008.

-It’s the first day of the Round of 64, and we all know what that means!!  HUGE ratings for The Price is Right!! which is what airs right before CBS begins their NCAA Tournament coverage!

-VA Tech v Florida should be fun.  Both teams had some really big wins throughout the season and while neither was consistent enough to be a protected seed, both showed that they were capable of being able to beat one if they were at the top of their game.

-Illinois and Baylor also get underway today.  Baylor will face Hartford (a Hoops HD favorite) and Illinois will go against Drexel.  I gotta be honest, even by #16 seed standards these teams are kind of weak.  It’s still a good thing for both of these programs to be here, but it should be rather short lived.

-Georgia Tech vs Loyola Chicago should be a great game.  Both teams are playing really well right now, and both are coming off their best regular seasons in recent memory.  Notice I said REGULAR seasons.  The year Loyola Chicago made the Final Four they were actually outside the bubble and wouldn’t have made the field at all without the automatic bid.

-Oregon State is on fire right now, and while Tennessee has looked good at times, they have also looked luke warm at other times.  Tennessee clearly had the better season, but I was more impressed with Oregon State in the Pac 12 Tournament than I was with Tennessee in the SEC, so this one should be fun to watch.

-I like how Utah State was playing down the stretch, but I like Texas Tech even more, especially when you factor in their ability to crank it up in the NCAA Tournament.  They have quite a streak of Elite Eight appearances going.

-Before the season started it would not have shocked me at all had you told me Wisconsin and North Carolina would meet in the NCAA Tournament.  I probably wouldn’t have expected it to be the 8v9 game though.  This one is a toss up.

-This North Texas team is a live wire team that played great in the Conference USA Tournament.  I really like this Purdue team as well, and think they’re also playing their best basketball of the season.  I’d be tempted to take North Texas in an upset, and still don’t think it’s entirely out of the question, but I just have a feeling that Purdue is firing on all cylinders and won’t overlook them.

Congratulations to Rutgers who will be playing in their first NCAA Tournament game in about 300 years!!  Maybe longer!!  I actually like their chances.  Clemson had some big wins throughout the year, but they weren’t the best away from home and they didn’t win THAT many games that were of a higher difficulty than beating Rutgers on a neutral floor will likely be.

-There are some that feel that Syracuse should not have been in the field.  Generally when people feel that way, Syracuse goes on a long tournament run.  They face a San Diego State team that really played well down the stretch.  This is one that I’m really looking forward to.

-Villanova has not looked the same since the injury to Gillespie, and they’re facing a Winthrop team that’s just lost one game this year and would have probably earned a much better seed than a #12 seed in a normal year with more OOC games against better teams.  This is an “upset” that everyone is predicting.  Which…raises the question, would it really even be an upset??

-Oklahoma State vs Liberty, Colgate (who has only played about four teams all year) vs Arkansas, Oral Roberts vs Ohio State, Cleveland State vs Houston, and Morehead State vs West Virginia also tip off today.

ENJOY THE GAMES!!  ENJOY THE MADNESS!!

Posted in News and Notes | Comments Off on Puppet Ramblings: Round of 64, Day 1

Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Utah State cheerleader Kalli Capener

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday Utah State earned an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Aggies started this year 12-3 and are now back in the NCAA tourney for the 2nd time since 2019. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Kalli Capener about seeing Sam Merrill’s famous shot last March and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis this afternoon.

You grew up in Utah: what made you choose Utah State? Both of my parents graduated from Utah State but what really helped me make my decision was when I made the cheer team.

You have been on the Spirit Squad for the last 3 years: what is your favorite part of being a cheerleader? My favorite part about being a cheerleader is getting to cheer at all the games. There is nothing like walking into Maverick Stadium or the Spectrum on game day. I also love all of the friendships that I have made throughout the years.

What does the cheer team do at basketball games during a normal year? During a normal year we get to cheer down on the sideline: it is so fun being so close to the action! We would also usually get to perform our dances and stunt routines at center court. It has been kind of sad this year to only showcase videos of a few of our routines.

What do you think the role of a college cheer team is today, and how has it changed over time? I think the role of a college cheer team is to really bring the energy to games. Some games are not as exciting as others but we are there to keep the energy up no matter what. With all of the COVID restrictions this year it is even more important for us to bring the Aggie school spirit to every game. Another role for us is to be entertaining to the crowd. This has changed over the years because cheer stunts and tricks are always becoming more and more advanced.

At the 2020 MWC tourney you got to cheer for the Aggies when they beat San Diego State in the final seconds (www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fu5FxMqqOw): where does that rank among the most fantastic finishes that you have ever seen? That game was the most intense and exciting game I have ever cheered at. I will never forget that feeling of being down on the court: it will always be one of my favorite cheer memories. It was so amazing to witness Sam Merrill’s game-winning shot in person: this definitely takes the #1 spot for most fantastic finishes!

You are majoring in communicative disorders and deaf education: why did you pick those subjects, and what is the post-graduation plan? I chose communicative disorders and deaf education because I want a career where I could help people. After graduation, I plan on working towards a masters’ degree in Speech Pathology. I love little kids and elderly people, and with speech pathology I would be able to work with both age groups. It is also a good job to have when you are a mom, which I plan on becoming one day.

How do you like basketball, and is that your favorite sport? It is so hard to pick a favorite sport: I love cheering at all of the sporting events but basketball might be my most favorite.

Last Saturday Utah State had an 11-PT loss to San Diego State in the MWC tourney title game: how nervous were you on Selection Sunday, and how did it feel to hear your team’s name called? To be honest, I was a little bit nervous going into Selection Sunday. I was so happy when Utah State had their name called. I am glad they get the opportunity to go this year since we were unable to go last year because of COVID.

Due to COVID your team has been unable to participate this season and you will not be traveling with the team to Indianapolis this week: how frustrating is it to be a cheerleader for a great basketball team during a pandemic? It is really disappointing that we are unable to travel with the team. We have had such great basketball teams during the past three years that I have been on the Spirit Squad. Traveling with the team is something I look forward to every year. It is so fun to cheer them on throughout the season: I would have done anything to go to Vegas this year and of course to Indianapolis this weekend.

You are playing Texas Tech today: any predictions? I think if we play our very best then it will be an entertaining game to watch: I will be cheering for the Aggies no matter what!

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Utah State cheerleader Kalli Capener

Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Utah State dancer Vanessa Woolley

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday Utah State earned an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Aggies started this year 12-3 and are now back in the NCAA tourney for the 2nd time since 2019. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Vanessa Woolley about getting engaged and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis this week.

You grew up in Logan, UT, and have been going to Aggie basketball games all of your life: was it an easy decision to choose Utah State for college? I have always known that I wanted to attend Utah State! I come from a line of Aggies so being an Aggie was my first choice. By the time I graduated from high school I had already made it onto the USU Spirit Squad, so that made an easy decision even easier. I love all of the athletic events, the campus, the professors, and being able to be near my family. I have had the best college experience here and could not be happier with my decision to attend Utah State.

You have been an Aggiette on the USU Spirit Squad for the last 4 years: what is your favorite part of being a dancer? It is hard to pick just one favorite thing. I would say 6AM practices in the Spectrum, football halftimes with the Aggie Marching Band, performing the Scotsman in front of a full student section at basketball games, and all of the trips I have gone on with the team!

What does the dance team do at basketball games during a normal year? We usually begin during pregame where we do a starting lineup for the basketball team, then help run the team onto the court and perform the Fight Song and Scotsman. During the game we get to call cheers from the sideline and perform dances to the band music. At halftime and postgame we go out on the court to perform the Fight Song and Scotsman again. We also get to perform during two timeouts. Sometimes we dance to one side with our cheer squad doing a stunt routine to the other. Other timeouts could be just Aggiettes, just cheer, or combined routines. During the year we get a few halftimes as well. Two of these are our theme show where we dress up in different costumes to match the theme that we have chosen and our team introductions at the end of the year!

What do you think the role of a college dance team is today, and how has it changed over time? Beyond entertaining the crowd, I think that the role of a college dance team is to be a representative of the university. When you make the team, you are on the front lines and need to be an example. There are so many young fans and people around the community who are watching you and look up to you. I think this has always been true but is even bigger these days with all of the social media that we use.

At the 2019 NCAA tourney you got to dance for the Aggies when they faced Washington: how did you enjoy your experience in Columbus? Being at that NCAA tournament is such a special memory. I really enjoyed Columbus: there was so much excitement and it was cool to see all of the big teams, other spirit squads, and fans from everywhere. It was amazing to be standing on that floor! We got to do a few pep rallies for our fans and it was great to see the Aggie family in Ohio supporting our team. I am especially glad that I got that chance that year since last year’s tournament was cancelled and this year we cannot be there.

You got engaged earlier this year: what is the plan for the big day? I got engaged in January on Old Main Hill at Utah State! We are planning to have the wedding this summer in Logan on August 20th. My fiancé is also an Aggie and we met at Utah State.

How do you like basketball, and is that your favorite sport? I love cheering at basketball games: nothing is quite like the Spectrum! I love being so close to the fans and the game. I also love the fast pace of basketball so it is definitely the sport I enjoy watching the most. Both of my brothers play basketball and I grew up watching them and going to Aggie basketball games, so I think this has all contributed to basketball being my favorite sport.

Last Saturday Utah State had an 11-PT loss to San Diego State in the MWC tourney title game: how nervous were you on Selection Sunday, and how did it feel to hear your team’s name called? I was unsure what to expect, which made it even more exciting to hear their name called! Even though they did not win the tournament this year I was still hopeful that we would get in after beating Colorado State in the semifinals.

Due to COVID your team has been unable to participate this season and you will not be traveling with the team to Indianapolis this week: how frustrating is it to be a dancer for a great basketball team during a pandemic? It has been very frustrating. With this being my senior year, it has been difficult to miss opportunities like being at the Mountain West tournament, the NCAA tournament, and dancing live on the court. However, we are so lucky to have been there for as many moments as we were this year! We got to cheer from the stands in the Spectrum and made video routines to display on the Jumbotron. I am just lucky that I had all of the experiences I did before the pandemic hit. Our basketball team has been so fun to cheer for over the last four years. I am happy that they have had another successful season and am excited to watch them play this weekend!

You are playing Texas Tech on Friday: any predictions? AGGIES ALL THE WAY! Both schools have great basketball programs but I think the Aggies have a great shot at getting the win.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Utah State dancer Vanessa Woolley

Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Michigan dancer Brendan Ryan and cheerleader Pilar Burgess

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday Michigan earned an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Wolverines started this year 18-1 and have not missed an NCAA tourney since 2015. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Brendan Ryan/Pilar Burgess about being a captain and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis this week.

What made you choose Michigan?
B: I lived about 1 hour away so Michigan was always this impossible dream while growing up. I was on my high school dance team and got recruited so I visited campus to see the dancers in the Big House. From that point on everything just fell into place perfectly.
P: I have a lot of family who have gone here in the past: my parents actually met here. It is in my blood and before I even came here I was a Wolverine. I was in the Summer Bridge Class of 2017 and they have a great alumni network here, as well as the best of both worlds with academics/athletics.

How long have you been dancing/cheering, and what is your favorite part of performing?
B: I got a late start compared to most of my teammates since I am a male dancer. I started around 8th grade but did not take it seriously until my junior year of high school. My favorite part is getting to represent the university while doing something I love. I am a dance major and am proud to wear the Block M.
P: I also had a late start after being a gymnast for 10 years. I was looking for something in college after doing dance for fun in high school. I tried out for the cheer team, trained for it, and things kind of fell into place. It was an opportunity that I could not give up and it felt really natural. I went to a small school back home and when you are at a big campus it is good to find a small family. It unites everyone so the community has kept me so involved while I learn everything as I go.

You are captain of your team: what is the key to being a good leader?
B: It has been such an honor to lead under unique circumstances. Everyone was dreaming of a perfect senior year, but it honestly means more to bring everyone together during a difficult year. We are practicing for our nationals but there is so much going on in the world so I try to make the room a better place, which in turns brings the team closer together.
P: Patience is really big, especially during the ups and downs of this whirlwind year. You need flexibility with both yourself and your teammates and you have to be empathetic during everyone’s trials/tribulations. During those hard times we have to make hard decisions and hold people accountable while reinforcing the family dynamic.

What is your major, and what is your post-graduation plan?
B: I am a dance major. Obviously the entertainment world is not booming right now but as the 1st male dancer to make the team here I am still pinching myself. I would like to make it a step further and perhaps become the 1st male Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader!
P: I am a business major and enjoy the intersection of tech/marketing. This year I will start a job in Minnesota with Ecolab.

What does your team do at basketball games during a normal year?
B: Our coaches work so hard to put together Excel spreadsheets of everyone’s schedule based on classes/exams: everything is figured out down to a science. We go to tourneys based on seniority but are so lucky: the fans do not realize how much cheering/dancing our teams actually do. We perform on the sideline during games and do routines on the court during timeouts/halftime. I cannot tell you how much we all miss it.
P: Basketball season is pretty crazy with going to the games while working on our nationals’ routines. We get the crowd involved but only travel with the team during the postseason based on who has been on the team the longest. We go to both the men’s and women’s games. The hardest part of this year has been not having those special moments.

What it like being part of a co-ed spirit squad?
B: My wildest dreams came true after coming here and having this amazing opportunity. I think about the younger boys who will see me as an example of representing the best university in the world. Not only young men but also minorities and women who are trying other sports: it gives me a great sense of purpose.
P: Cheer is half-and-half so being on a co-ed team is great. The men are so strong and we put all of our trust in them: the flyers and bases have a bond and everyone brings so much value to the team. I heard about Brendan before I even met him and have so much appreciation for his ability to change the narrative. He is unreal and everyone talks about him: it is cool that he has changed the perception of a college dance team.

How do you like basketball, and is that your favorite sport?
B: I cannot begin to explain the energy at Crisler Center and the sense of community, as well as at the Big House. It is so magical and there is nothing like it: it is an honor because 1 day we will get back to that when we return here as fans.
P: It is my favorite sport for sure. My dad was a football player here so he might not be as excited as I am, but a lot of my male/female friends are on the basketball teams and it is a really fun team sport. I appreciate both John Beilein/Juwan Howard and have only good things to say about both of them. Having gone through almost the entire 4 years I can understand why the alumni are so intense: the feeling is so infectious.

Last Sunday the Wolverines made the NCAA tourney as an at-large team: how excited was the student body to get its 1st NCAA tourney appearance under Coach Juwan Howard?
B: It means the absolute world that in a season like this we can still have this sense of community. The pride in our school is always there but things like this really bring us together: I cannot count all of the Instagram stories I have seen.
P: Everyone is really excited: even though we cannot all watch the games together there is still plenty of energy via social media. Juwan was part of the family from Day 1 and I think you can see how much the players enjoy him via the success they have had. It is really exciting and has been a successful year regardless of what happens the rest of the year.

Due to COVID your team has been unable to participate this season and you will not be traveling with the team to Indianapolis this week: how frustrating is it to be a performer for a great basketball team during a pandemic?
B: It is frustrating but we are still so proud of them and it makes our existing memories that much more special. It would have been fun to cheer them on in new spaces but we still have a good connection.
P: To see how well they are doing from home has been fun: I want to see something super-exciting and am really glad about it. I am proud of how the school has handled the entire experience and am glad that we still have nationals because they are important to our season. Even during COVID we continue on with our own season and do what we love to do.

You are playing Texas Southern on Saturday: any predictions?
B: We feel our dynamic is so special and I think it is the same for the basketball team to see all of their hard work pay off.
P: I always say Go Blue and will bleed blue until I die. The team is awesome and I have only good things to say about them.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Michigan dancer Brendan Ryan and cheerleader Pilar Burgess

Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Bradley SR F Nyjah White

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday the Bradley women’s team had an 8-PT win over Drake in the MVC tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Braves lost 3 straight games to finish February but won 5 in a row in March to get into the NCAA tourney for the 1st time ever. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Nyjah White about her fabulous father and making the NCAA tourney.

You were born in Michigan and grew up in Missouri: what made you choose Bradley? I had 2 offers coming out of high school: Bradley and Western Illinois. I liked the chance to be a part of something here that has not been done before so I joined the rebuilding effort.

You play for Coach Andrea Gorski: what makes her such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from her? She pushes us every day in practice and is 1 of the best leaders for us both on and off the court. 1 big thing I learned from her is to live in the moment and not take anything for granted, which has helped me grow a lot.

You set a school record last year with 22 wins: how devastating was it to end your season prematurely due to COVID? It was really hard for a lot of us: we were literally getting ready to board the bus to go to the MVC tourney so I felt very bad for our seniors. We had so much more to give.

You are majoring in graphic design: why did you pick that subject, and what is the post-graduation plan? I am really interested in art and had never done digital art before. I plan on using my extra year so hopefully I will get to play some more basketball!

What is it like to be a college basketball player during a pandemic? It is really tough. We are used to seeing fans in the stands but are still grateful to get to practice/play/compete. Even without the fans it is about who is more locked in at that point.

You had 3 straight losses to finish February: how were you able to get things back on track in March? Coach says that we are 1 of those teams where we play hard when there is something to fight for, such as winning a championship, so we were not going to give up.

Last Sunday you scored 10 PTS in an 8-PT win over Drake in the MVC tourney title game: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? It was really exciting: I never won a state title in high school so to win 1 here when no other Bradley team had ever done that means that we will go down in history.

2 of your best players are Lasha/Mahri Petree: what is it like to have teammates who are sisters? It is really entertaining: you get to see the arguments and competitiveness but it has been fun to see them excel and I love playing with both of them.

Your father Albert was a 1995 McDonald’s All-American and played pro basketball for several years: who is the best athlete in the family? Obviously it is him: it is between me and him but he has a lot more accolades under his belt.

How do you feel about being a #11-seed, and what do you know about Texas? It is better than being a #16-seed! The Longhorns are a big team and have a soon-to-be-WNBA player on their roster in Charli Collier. We have to rise to the occasion against elite competition and I am excited.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Bradley SR F Nyjah White