Corry's Corner - June 2022
June 10, 2022 | Women's Basketball
"Special players make special plays on special days," is what coaches tell their teams. In these monumental moments, coaches expect the most out of their players. We want them to rise to the occasion and be better than they could have imagined. Players yearn for those moments because they know they are creating memories to last a lifetime.
The dictionary defines special as "better, greater or otherwise different from what is usual." We often believe it to be something only a chosen few people are capable of becoming. However, in life, every moment counts; therefore, every moment is special. We divide moments between those that are normal and those which have considerable importance.
Monday, June 6th, was one of those moments. It wasn't just an ordinary Monday when I rolled over in bed, dreading getting up. It was THE Monday. When my alarm went off at 5:50 a.m. I was filled with excitement and anticipation of what will become. It was our first day.
The first is always special. It is the initial impression of what is forthcoming. It sets the tone. Our players began the day with their first of many lifting sessions with Kaiti Jones. Music played in the background as she explained procedures and proper techniques.
The building blocks of becoming a special player are initiated off the basketball court. For us, it will begin in the large, glass-walled weight room in Mize Pavilion. Four times a week, our players will be challenged to be special. They will grow stronger individually, but more importantly, they will become powerful as a team.
After their lift, they attend classes and tutoring sessions and spend time as college students. Their three to four hour break allows us to meet as a staff. Our offices overlook the practice court. Recent renovations have created the perfect blend between tradition and new. Papers were laid on the large conference table with the word "SPECIAL" handwritten in capital letters. I picked up a sheet and smiled. Coach Purcell had set the tone.
We were going to be special.
Shortly after our meeting, we would begin the best part of the day - the basketball workouts. We started with a team huddle around the jump ball circle. "No broken parts," a player commented as we stood shoulder to shoulder with everyone in the program. I looked at eyes full of anticipation, excitement and hope as Coach Purcell said, "do you know what our word is? It is special. Special things don't happen without special effort."
And so it began. The foundation was set. The effort on our first day was indeed special. It was different from spring workouts. The balls bounced harder during the ball-handling drills. Players encouraged their teammates louder as they waited their turn. No one walked past another person without a high five. The love to be back on the court together was seen and felt. Every player gave a special effort.
A season is more than one day. It is a compilation of many days stacked upon each other. As with anything stacked high, if the foundation is not strong enough, it will eventually fall. It's why day one is significant. It's the reason Coach Purcell informed every player that they were expected to give a special effort.
Every day this will be the expectation. We will be better, greater and different from the day before. Mississippi State is special, and the 2022-2023 women's basketball team will be special.
Until next time, Hail State!
Corry Irvin
