Hamdonger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2017
- Messages
- 6,531
What the heck, it's slow season here.
Bender is STILL the only player in D1 men's history to play in the national title game for 2 different teams. In addition, he is the only player in Illinois high school basketbal history to play in the IHSA Class A and Class AA State Tournaments, both for his Dad.
He wasn't our best coach, imo, but community-wise I think he was the most popular. He was exceptional with the media, students, and community. (which probably got him out of a jam or two) He was my favorite given that I was an undergrad when he was here, and I fell completely head over heels in love with Redbird basketball during my very first game attended in RA. The Dance Line (m'wah!!) and cheerleaders might've had something to do with that. Nevertheless, head over heels, man. Especially that 89-90 team. Wish I could have been with you cats during earlier eras.
Bender did a PSA commercial for me in my Mass Comm TV production class, and as a favor back I damn near killed him in front of the post office - when I whipped my El Camino into the parking lot - and he was riding through on his bike. He almost ended up on my hood and into the back. He looked at me like...you just tried to kill me. Chapman, Hinckley, Hamdong.
His pedigree coming into ISU, as both a player and a coach, was as good as anyone we've ever had. Maybe the best we've ever had. Guys like Wellman, Greenspan, and Zenger, and those that came before, didn't use search committees. A wink for ya there, Dougie.
I think there's still room for one more interview with him. Tell me wha'cha think:
1. Being recruited by Knight and playing for him...and maybe wiggling a story or 2 out of him.
2. Playing on THAT team at IU...32-0.
3. Why did he leave?
4. The Duke experience as a student-athlete and coach.
5. Chicago State.
THANK YOU Three Musketeers for giving us the podcast. I really enjoy it!
Bender is STILL the only player in D1 men's history to play in the national title game for 2 different teams. In addition, he is the only player in Illinois high school basketbal history to play in the IHSA Class A and Class AA State Tournaments, both for his Dad.
He wasn't our best coach, imo, but community-wise I think he was the most popular. He was exceptional with the media, students, and community. (which probably got him out of a jam or two) He was my favorite given that I was an undergrad when he was here, and I fell completely head over heels in love with Redbird basketball during my very first game attended in RA. The Dance Line (m'wah!!) and cheerleaders might've had something to do with that. Nevertheless, head over heels, man. Especially that 89-90 team. Wish I could have been with you cats during earlier eras.
Bender did a PSA commercial for me in my Mass Comm TV production class, and as a favor back I damn near killed him in front of the post office - when I whipped my El Camino into the parking lot - and he was riding through on his bike. He almost ended up on my hood and into the back. He looked at me like...you just tried to kill me. Chapman, Hinckley, Hamdong.
His pedigree coming into ISU, as both a player and a coach, was as good as anyone we've ever had. Maybe the best we've ever had. Guys like Wellman, Greenspan, and Zenger, and those that came before, didn't use search committees. A wink for ya there, Dougie.
I think there's still room for one more interview with him. Tell me wha'cha think:
1. Being recruited by Knight and playing for him...and maybe wiggling a story or 2 out of him.
2. Playing on THAT team at IU...32-0.
3. Why did he leave?
4. The Duke experience as a student-athlete and coach.
5. Chicago State.
THANK YOU Three Musketeers for giving us the podcast. I really enjoy it!
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