I am sitting in my hotel room in Knoxville....just feeling a little downcast after tonight's game. None the less, I thought I could at least file a report from here.
Let's just start--I have NEVER seen so much orange in my life! Now, I am a Giants fan so I am used to orange, but just not like this! Orange hats, orange blazers, orange t-shirts and (my personal favorite) orange overalls! Yikes!
Anyway, we did have a nice contingent of Cardinal in the stands and we did our best to out shout all of the Vol fans and some times we did ok--esp with our defense chants. Coming to a game here is overwhelming--there were over 15,000 in the stands! And wouldn't you know that right in the middle of our Stanford contingent, who should sit next to me than a pair of teenage boys who were, of course, Vol fans. ARGH! The only clever thing that I could say to them was that I believe that Parker's dunk was only worth 2 points no matter how much they whooped and hollered. *sigh*
The Cardinal came out firing and Candice hit a three to start off quickly. But soon thereafter, the team appeared to be just flat. TN took the approach of blanketing Brooke which seemed to throw off a lot of the plays in the early going. This is the time Stanford misses an outside threat like Rapp was last year. Gotta say though that Candice's buzzer beater at the end of the half was fabulous--can't remember one like this since a Kate Paye fling many year's ago. Unfortunately, Stanford just never could cut the lead to less than six points and eventually the Lady Vols just wore them down. The game actually seemed closer than the final score would indicate. The Card hung around at a 8-10 point deficit for much of the game.
So that is the bad news, but there was much that was good--
--Jayne, Jayne, Jayne! She was spectacular. The Lady Vols had no answer for her. She has fabulous hands--get it there and she'll catch it. She was a force on defense too and we all loved the stuff job she did on Parker. I spoke to her Mom, Pam, after the game and she promised that Jayne would work on her free throws!
--a breakout game for Melanie Murphy too. When Stanford made it's best runs, she was in there. She has no fear of attacking the basket which got mixed results, but one just had to love the effort. Her parents were also there tonight.
--the game was rough and Stanford gave as good as it got. The fans here seemed irate about the officiating, but I can't say that it was good or bad really. I know that the Lady Vols shot many more free throws than the Cardinal.
A few more thoughts from Orange--I mean Knox--ville--
--Candace Parker is good. She knows it, too.
--I hope we never have intros like the Lady Vols do. Complete with videos, fireworks and the team dancing at half court. I like that stuff, but in the WNBA, not college.
--you have got to love the game atmosphere. That place in noisy! Not Mac Court noisy, more like a lot of peeps in the seats noisy. There is a football game here tomorrow and I think there were more than a few fans warming up for that game tonight.
--Write it down--I predict we win next year at Maples.
OK, that's enough for now and besides, I have to plan my trip to Dollywood tomorrow!
Then off to Georgia--I think the Dawgs better be ready for some very motivated Cards!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Pack Your Bags! Great Auction Travel Items!
Looking over our Travel Items for the Auction this year makes me smile! This is, by far, the best bunch of getaways that we have ever had. So bid high on these and get ready to pack your bags.
You can travel to some away games, catch some rays in Kauai, ski in Tahoe, hit the tables in Vegas, spend some time in The City—whatever suits your fancy!
By far our most glamorous travel item is #170—A Stay in a luxury North Lake Tahoe vacation home! This item is again generously donated by John Paye and offers a once in a lifetime chance to stay at one of North Lake Tahoe's most exclusive estates. Take a look and you'll see what we mean!
Located at Stateline on the California side, this is right on the lake and has its own dock available for your use. Bring your boat or jet skis and enjoy fabulous Lake Tahoe. This Estate was originally built by the Hills Brothers of coffee fame as their vacation home. From the living room, sit by the fire and enjoy the expanse of Lake Tahoe right in front of you. Sit in the family room and enjoy the huge big screen TV while enjoying the sunshine through huge lakefront windows. Enjoy the sunset from the huge deck area. Perfect for a large family getaway/reunion or would make for a spectacular wedding setting as this home will easily sleep 30 people! You won't regret bidding on (and winning!) this terrific opportunity!
Because of the special nature of this item, we are giving you 2 options:
* One week value is $10,000. Opening Bid is $5,000
* Weekend value is $5,000. Opening Bid is $2,500
Highest bid, regardless of length of stay will be the winner of this item! Why not get a group of friends together and bid on this terrific item. I had the pleasure of staying here several years ago and I cannot rave enough about what a spectacular place this is!
This isn’t your only Tahoe choice—take a look at spending a week with one of these items:
* #14 Northstar Condominium Stay
* #114 Weekend Stay at West Shore Lake Tahoe 4 bedroom home that sleeps 10. Take a look at this terrific spot!
Prefer a little tropical action instead? Check out item #99 a 5 night stay at a Poipu Kai Condo in Kauai. Longtime donors Dave and Lanie Wheeler are providing a dream vacation in a beautiful 2 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath newly remodeled condo at Poipu Kai Resort in Poipu Beach, Kauai. This condo offers a deluxe ocean view and is just steps from the beach. Guests may play tennis, relax in a Jacuzzi, and swim in the two pools that are on site. Two beautiful golf courses are adjacent to the property. Poipu Beach was recently named America's Best Beach by The Travel Channel, ranking top among 10 "best" beaches selected nationwide. This beach is a series of golden sand crescents, strung together where beach-goers will find snorkeling, swimming, wading boogie-boarding and surfing. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
OK, OK—you want some gaming along with your vacation? How about a 2 night stay at the hip Palms Resort in Las Vegas #87 or a trip to Clear Lake for a visit to Robinson Rancheria #171. The Palms trip includes tickets for 2 to the Riviera Comedy Club and the Rancheria is throwing in $100 of casino cash!
If you are looking for stays in the Bay Area, we’ve got you covered! A great spot in San Francisco-- #30 Best Western Tuscan Inn at Fisherman's Wharf. How about #93 a Stay at the San Jose Hilton for Pac-10 tourney time? Coming to Palo Alto for a game and need a spot to stay? Choose from:
* #17 Sheraton Palo Alto
* #18 Crowne Plaza Cabana
* #22 Stanford Terrace Inn
* #165 The Garden Court Hotel
Heck, we even have a One Night Stay Cabin, tent or RV Site at the San Francisco North KOA #109 and 5 days of pet sitting from Four on the Floor #162!
Last but certainly not least, we have hotel stays at the Stanford team hotels in Eugene, Marina del Rey. Seattle, Spokane and Tucson. If you’re headed out on a PAC-10 trip, why not get your stay here and benefit the Program!
Wow, we really do have something for everybody! Hope you can make you plans now and bid extra high on these items.
My next Blog will (hopefully) be from the road—really! I am off to Tennessee and Georgia for the games down there and if the wireless Gods are on my side, I’ll try to file a report or two.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Get Your Stanford Stuff here!
One of my favorite parts of working on the Auction is getting the stuff. It is amazing to me that, year after year, we are able to put together such a diverse and exciting bunch of items. Each year, we try to bring back popular favorites while adding new items that we think will be extra special.
This year we have added something a little different—Basketball 101 with Tara (item #159). This isn’t an item up for competitive bidding—instead, for your one time bid of $25, you will be able to attend a one hour teaching session with Tara as she discusses the nuts and bolts of the game that we love. Who better to learn from than a Hall of Famer? This event will be limited to the first 100 who sign up, so check it out at the auction so that you don’t get shut out!
We have lots of Sit on the Bench opportunities again this year, but one of them stands out—wouldn’t you like to be on the Cardinal Bench for the 2007 match up with Tennessee (item #161)? This is a once in a lifetime chance to share in the thrill of a great Rivalry! Always one of the most intense games of the year, the 2007 edition will be the final regular season college match up between Ice and Ace—Candice Wiggins and Candace Parker, two of the very brightest stars on the Basketball horizon. Can the Cardinal beat the Vols at home for the first time since 1995? Wouldn’t you like to be there, up-close and personal? You'll be a part of the action as you join the team in pre-game introductions, game huddles, halftime and post-game too!
Two real favorites coming back again this year are A Day in the Life (#152) and the Kids Clinic with selected Stanford Coaches and Players (#153). A Day in the Life let’s your favorite youngster “hang” with some of the players as they go through a typical day on campus—how special is that? The Kids Clinic is for a total of 12 Kids who will be put through the paces at Maples Pavilion—if only I was a Kid!
Or maybe you’d like to—
--have Lunch with Charmin (#154)
--breakdown video with Karen (#155)
--workout with Stanford Trainer Kelly Clark (#156)
--sit with Tara at the 2007 banquet (#157)
--have Breakfast with Amy (#160)
--Sponsor a Locker (#148-151)
Another great feature of the auction is that Coach Amy “cleans the closet” and we are able to auction off Stanford apparel that is not readily available. There is something for everybody from T-Shirts to Warm Ups to Player Jerseys.
All of these items are in the Stanford area of the Auction--
check them out here!
Next up—I’ll highlight some of the Travel items up for bid, so get ready to pack your bags!
This year we have added something a little different—Basketball 101 with Tara (item #159). This isn’t an item up for competitive bidding—instead, for your one time bid of $25, you will be able to attend a one hour teaching session with Tara as she discusses the nuts and bolts of the game that we love. Who better to learn from than a Hall of Famer? This event will be limited to the first 100 who sign up, so check it out at the auction so that you don’t get shut out!
We have lots of Sit on the Bench opportunities again this year, but one of them stands out—wouldn’t you like to be on the Cardinal Bench for the 2007 match up with Tennessee (item #161)? This is a once in a lifetime chance to share in the thrill of a great Rivalry! Always one of the most intense games of the year, the 2007 edition will be the final regular season college match up between Ice and Ace—Candice Wiggins and Candace Parker, two of the very brightest stars on the Basketball horizon. Can the Cardinal beat the Vols at home for the first time since 1995? Wouldn’t you like to be there, up-close and personal? You'll be a part of the action as you join the team in pre-game introductions, game huddles, halftime and post-game too!
Two real favorites coming back again this year are A Day in the Life (#152) and the Kids Clinic with selected Stanford Coaches and Players (#153). A Day in the Life let’s your favorite youngster “hang” with some of the players as they go through a typical day on campus—how special is that? The Kids Clinic is for a total of 12 Kids who will be put through the paces at Maples Pavilion—if only I was a Kid!
Or maybe you’d like to—
--have Lunch with Charmin (#154)
--breakdown video with Karen (#155)
--workout with Stanford Trainer Kelly Clark (#156)
--sit with Tara at the 2007 banquet (#157)
--have Breakfast with Amy (#160)
--Sponsor a Locker (#148-151)
Another great feature of the auction is that Coach Amy “cleans the closet” and we are able to auction off Stanford apparel that is not readily available. There is something for everybody from T-Shirts to Warm Ups to Player Jerseys.
All of these items are in the Stanford area of the Auction--
check them out here!
Next up—I’ll highlight some of the Travel items up for bid, so get ready to pack your bags!
Friday, November 03, 2006
On the Road Again!
Today is just one month (exactly!) until our On The Road Again Auction. From the Fundraising standpoint, our yearly auction is the biggest event that we stage. Since 2001, the auction has raised over $150,000 in support of the Women’s Basketball Improvement Fund. This Fund helps with purchases of video and exercise equipment not in Stanford’s budget as well as International travel—the kind of things needed to sustain a first class program..
How does it all come together? We have a tireless group of volunteers that solicit donations through mailings and personal contacts. Coach Amy is in charge of scouring the locker room and coaches offices for items of interest such as uniforms and warm-ups. Eileen Roche coordinates picking up and receiving items on a daily basis. After items are secured, we have the major task of making sure that the actual event runs quickly, smoothly and efficiently all while having fun at the same time. We publicize, decorate, make music....a great team effort all around.
So what’s on tap for this year? Take a peek at the items that are going to be up for bid.
Check back often as we are adding items almost daily. What’s new today that isn’t on the web site yet? How about a Ronnie Lott autographed 49er jersey and two of those sharp, black warm up suits that debuted last night? Or maybe a 2006-07 team autographed basketball suits your fancy?
Of course, the items already there are pretty spectacular. Need a vacation? Check out our stays in Kauai, Las Vegas and Northstar. Planning to travel to away games? There are stays at most of the PAC 10 destinations, at the team hotels, no less. Need a player jersey? We have them all up for your bid and there is tons of other unique Stanford gear to be had. Restaurant certificates, great golf outings, Giants tickets (including Opening Day!)—the list goes on. There is truly something for everyone!
We hope that you can be with us in Arrillaga for the actual event, but if you can’t, please see the online bidding instructions.
Along with the Auction, we will again be running our IPod raffle and we will have two IPods just like we did last year. So keep your eyes open at future games to buy your tickets—the drawing will take place at the Auction.
And guess what? We can still use many more donations. Have a timeshare or vacation home? Extra sports memorabilia? Have a contact with your favorite restaurant? Contact Eileen at eroche@stanford.edu if you can help out.
I once heard that Auctions are the place that you buy the things you don’t need, but must have. We hope that you can find both things you need and things that you must have and bid extra high, all in support of Our Team!
How does it all come together? We have a tireless group of volunteers that solicit donations through mailings and personal contacts. Coach Amy is in charge of scouring the locker room and coaches offices for items of interest such as uniforms and warm-ups. Eileen Roche coordinates picking up and receiving items on a daily basis. After items are secured, we have the major task of making sure that the actual event runs quickly, smoothly and efficiently all while having fun at the same time. We publicize, decorate, make music....a great team effort all around.
So what’s on tap for this year? Take a peek at the items that are going to be up for bid.
Check back often as we are adding items almost daily. What’s new today that isn’t on the web site yet? How about a Ronnie Lott autographed 49er jersey and two of those sharp, black warm up suits that debuted last night? Or maybe a 2006-07 team autographed basketball suits your fancy?
Of course, the items already there are pretty spectacular. Need a vacation? Check out our stays in Kauai, Las Vegas and Northstar. Planning to travel to away games? There are stays at most of the PAC 10 destinations, at the team hotels, no less. Need a player jersey? We have them all up for your bid and there is tons of other unique Stanford gear to be had. Restaurant certificates, great golf outings, Giants tickets (including Opening Day!)—the list goes on. There is truly something for everyone!
We hope that you can be with us in Arrillaga for the actual event, but if you can’t, please see the online bidding instructions.
Along with the Auction, we will again be running our IPod raffle and we will have two IPods just like we did last year. So keep your eyes open at future games to buy your tickets—the drawing will take place at the Auction.
And guess what? We can still use many more donations. Have a timeshare or vacation home? Extra sports memorabilia? Have a contact with your favorite restaurant? Contact Eileen at eroche@stanford.edu if you can help out.
I once heard that Auctions are the place that you buy the things you don’t need, but must have. We hope that you can find both things you need and things that you must have and bid extra high, all in support of Our Team!
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