Corry's Corner - January 2023
January 07, 2023 | Women's Basketball
The month of December retaught us that we must cherish life. The moments we spend with the people we love are priceless. We were reminded to show appreciation for the game we love through dedication, commitment and respect. Values we knew, but life decided we needed a reminder.
On December 12th, a member of our athletic department, a father, a husband, a fellow friend and our head football coach, Mike Leach, passed away. We stood together with a moment of silence, digesting the harsh reality of life. For a second, it felt as though time froze. There is never enough time.
We began the month with semester finals and a three-game home stretch. We finished the non-conference season participating in the Sun Coast Challenge in Tampa, Fla. We were slated to play two games in three days. Since April, Coach Sam has stressed providing opportunities for our young women to grow and experience life outside of the basketball court. He remained committed to those values when he extended the trip to five days.
When we arrived in Tampa Bay, he surprised the team with a trip to Busch Gardens. They walked through the light display, saw safari animals, and sat together on thrilling rides. In addition to the amusement park, the trip included shopping and seeing an alligator at a local miniature golf park.
There was competitive anticipation regarding who would hold the baby alligator, but those who did enjoyed the experience—those who did not observed and took pictures. The afternoon was full of smiles, laughs and good moments between teammates who have become sisters.
After winning our first game versus Old Dominion University, Coach Sam treated everyone to a 45-minute customized massage at a local spa. The lavender-infused rooms welcomed each of us, providing a sense of calmness and peace. When we reunited for dinner that evening, everyone appeared refreshed and relaxed. We would end the trip with a win against the University of New Mexico. The win closed out a non-conference schedule in which we traveled to South Dakota, Puerto Rico and Tampa Bay. It also was the last game before our holiday break.
We traveled to the Tampa Bay airport as a team. Upon arrival, our players would walk to their gates and leave for a five-day trip to their home states. The NCAA requires a three-day holiday break for every program. We gave the team five days to spend quality time with their families. Despite canceled flights and inclement weather, we returned to Starkville refreshed and ready for the SEC conference schedule.
December was a month that allowed us to play the game we love in front of the best fans in college basketball. We focused on respecting the game by playing it with passion, energy and togetherness. It was also a month when life asked us to remember to cherish moments with those we love. As I reflect on the month, I am proud to say that we grew from it individually but, more importantly, as a team.
Hail State!
Coach Corry
Wore it for Coach 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/798m3YxJP8
— Mississippi State Women's Basketball (@HailStateWBK) December 16, 2022
On December 12th, a member of our athletic department, a father, a husband, a fellow friend and our head football coach, Mike Leach, passed away. We stood together with a moment of silence, digesting the harsh reality of life. For a second, it felt as though time froze. There is never enough time.
We began the month with semester finals and a three-game home stretch. We finished the non-conference season participating in the Sun Coast Challenge in Tampa, Fla. We were slated to play two games in three days. Since April, Coach Sam has stressed providing opportunities for our young women to grow and experience life outside of the basketball court. He remained committed to those values when he extended the trip to five days.
When we arrived in Tampa Bay, he surprised the team with a trip to Busch Gardens. They walked through the light display, saw safari animals, and sat together on thrilling rides. In addition to the amusement park, the trip included shopping and seeing an alligator at a local miniature golf park.
Coach had a surprise for the team when we got to Tampa!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/BTIOtVhoJr
— Mississippi State Women's Basketball (@HailStateWBK) December 18, 2022
There was competitive anticipation regarding who would hold the baby alligator, but those who did enjoyed the experience—those who did not observed and took pictures. The afternoon was full of smiles, laughs and good moments between teammates who have become sisters.
After winning our first game versus Old Dominion University, Coach Sam treated everyone to a 45-minute customized massage at a local spa. The lavender-infused rooms welcomed each of us, providing a sense of calmness and peace. When we reunited for dinner that evening, everyone appeared refreshed and relaxed. We would end the trip with a win against the University of New Mexico. The win closed out a non-conference schedule in which we traveled to South Dakota, Puerto Rico and Tampa Bay. It also was the last game before our holiday break.
𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬‼️#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/0KtuDgQGqT
— Mississippi State Women's Basketball (@HailStateWBK) December 21, 2022
We traveled to the Tampa Bay airport as a team. Upon arrival, our players would walk to their gates and leave for a five-day trip to their home states. The NCAA requires a three-day holiday break for every program. We gave the team five days to spend quality time with their families. Despite canceled flights and inclement weather, we returned to Starkville refreshed and ready for the SEC conference schedule.
December was a month that allowed us to play the game we love in front of the best fans in college basketball. We focused on respecting the game by playing it with passion, energy and togetherness. It was also a month when life asked us to remember to cherish moments with those we love. As I reflect on the month, I am proud to say that we grew from it individually but, more importantly, as a team.
Hail State!
Coach Corry
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