Colorado University Athletics
The Fagan Files
Feb. 28, 2003
We are on the flight home from Iowa State. What a wonderful feeling to leave Hilton Coliseum with a win- especially on Linda Lappe's birthday. I know it has always been a tough trip for her, because we have never played well in Ames. Not tonight, though. Tonight was a different story. We even enjoyed her birthday cake on the bus ride to the airport. Birthday cake tastes a whole lot better after winning on the road.
Saturday night is senior night. We are hosting Kansas State and I thought I'd take this time and space to talk about our seniors. It blows my mind that all three of them are in their final games as Colorado Buffaloes. Wasn't it just yesterday we were nervous little freshmen playing in our first games for this program? It seems that way to me.
Linda Lappe. I believe she has been the heart of this program for 5 years. I have never seen her step on the court with anything but desire and love. I could use numerous clich?s, her will to win, her determination...and all of them would be true- but none of them would do her justice. Until you witness her passion day in and day out, you won't truly understand. She's sitting in front of me right now on the plane with three ice bags- but what hits me is how it wasn't even an option for her to not come back. Just like it won't be an option for her to not go hard tomorrow afternoon during practice. How else can I put it? Let me try it this way, when I see Lappe on the court with me I smile and think, yeah, we're about to get after it.
Sabrina Scott. Talk about a player. Has anyone out there ever seen someone so concentrated, calm and smooth? She amazes me everyday with her poise and confidence on the court. She's been through more than most people realize and yet she always comes out on top. Not many people know this, but she is wicked cool off the court. You won't find many people who are always there for you, but she's one of them. Not to mention she's got all the skills to take it to the next level. I've always thought she took too much heat from the media and skeptics. Coach Barry always talks about her "basketball I.Q." Well, folks, it's sky-high. And I would love to watch her play in the WNBA next year.
Di Spencer. Great kid...salt of the earth. Her love for her teammates makes the rest of us look selfish. I have never heard anything but praise and compliments out of her mouth. Do you know how rare that is? Her heart has never been anywhere but in a Buff uniform. She never questioned, never doubted and was never anything but amazingly loyal. I think I could go around the plane right now, mention her name, and everyone's face would light up. I am smiling right now thinking about a million funny stories that involve Di Spencer. She lights up the room--I can't think of any better compliment than that.
I wish I could invite you all into our locker room for one day so you can see what I see. So you can witness, first-hand, the dedication, love, respect and happiness that each one of these awesome young women brings into our lives on a daily basis.
Okay, phew, on a light note...come watch us play on Saturday. Tickets are a buck! One dollar! That's like cheaper than a candy bar. Hungry, why wait? Come to our game.