BirdFans4Ever Podcast

[Hamdonger]

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!

 

[ScoreboardDotRace]

Staying on the non-ISU Bender mentions/moments. I still remember the replay of him jumping up and down before UConn hit a buzzer beater to prevent him and Washington from going to the Elite 8 in 1998.

 

[Redbird222]

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!

There were several topics we still wanted to cover including Chicago St.

We were thinking get the whole staff on a podcast together if we can coordinate their schedules.

 

[schoolsportsfan]

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!

The fact that Greenspan didn’t use a search committee was a horrible decision and set the trajectory of our program back several years. He was not a good AD

 

[Hamdonger]

The fact that Greenspan didn’t use a search committee was a horrible decision and set the trajectory of our program back several years. He was not a good AD

You can disagree with him on the Richardson hiring, but had Bryson not gotten screwed by the NCAA...that year probably would have looked a lot different...which would have made Tom's tenure look different.

But Stallings and Berry?? C'mon. Those 2 coaches advanced our programs.

 

[SgtHulka]

Bender was a winner for sure. His Baseline Bunch, not so much. Chi St was epic. Bud Light Daredevil’s saved the day. As was him passing out in excitement. All the NIT snubs that would have been auto bids these days. A five win season, but we beat a ranked Creighton. Hosting and winning the MVCT. Playing Michigan in the NCAA. Bender, Smithson and Crews all coaching at the same time in the Valley repping BN nicely. Watcing his bye bye speech at the senior banquet

 

[Hamdonger]

Bender was a winner for sure. His Baseline Bunch, not so much. Chi St was epic. Bud Light Daredevil’s saved the day. As was him passing out in excitement. All the NIT snubs that would have been auto bids these days. A five win season, but we beat a ranked Creighton. Hosting and winning the MVCT. Playing Michigan in the NCAA. Bender, Smithson and Crews all coaching at the same time in the Valley repping BN nicely. Watcing his bye bye speech at the senior banquet

Baseline Bunch? Elaborate. Them's fightin' words, brosef. I was a front row part of that group and now I may have to come slash your tires.

 

[SgtHulka]

Baseline Bunch? Elaborate. Them's fightin' words, brosef. I was a front row part of that group and now I may have to come slash your tires.

You're not the only BBB member in this crowd. And I ride a horse, so good luck with those tires

 

[Hamdonger]

You're not the only BBB member in this crowd. And I ride a horse, so good luck with those tires

 

[Redbird222]

We just posted our latest podcast and our guest was Kendall Lewis. He talks about getting your ISU and the transition from Muller to Pedon. He recounts some of his favorite games and let us know his attentions after graduation. He also gives his his viewpoint on NIL.

This was a fun podcast to do and we hope you enjoy it.

BTW - I am convinced one of the leaders of the team just graduated after doing this podcast.