Honorary coaches program a big winner on and off court

John Bishop (left), honorary assistant coach, and Tim Morrissey cheer on the Blue Hens against Towson University.

Watching a Blue Hen basketball game from the stands in The Bob is exciting enough, but getting up close and personal with the coaches and players moves the experience to a more intense and memorable level.

Since 1995, a number of University faculty and staff members had the special opportunity to see the game from the players' bench through UD's Honorary Assistant Coaches Program.

Tim Morrissey, Student Services for Athletes, coordinates the program and is responsible for selecting the "coaches," and he serves as the host before and after the game, arranges announcements during the game and introduces the guest to basketball coaches, players, managers and trainers.

Morrissey said the Honorary Assistant Coaches Program started during the 1995-96 season through a collaborative idea between the late Janice Jordan, director of Student Services for Athletes, and then men's basketball coach Mike Brey.

"During Coach Brey's first season," Morrissey said, "he felt this was a good way to make connections with people at the University from the start."

Morrissey explained that he contacts the guest coach the day before the game with final details. He said their role is limited in the sense that they are there to "observe and enjoy."

Men's basketball coach David Henderson has continued the practice and said, "It's of great value and helps bridge the gap between the academic side and the athletic side of the University. The participants gain an insight into what the student-athlete is experiencing, and I think it provides a great experience for everyone involved.

Henderson added that one honorary coach had worked at UD for nearly 30 years and had never attended a game. Her experience was so positive that she became a fan afterwards.

"They come into the locker room with me before the game and hear Coach Henderson's pregame speech to the team," Morrissey said. "During the game, they get to sit on the bench with the team, managers and trainers. They really don't have any role at that time, other than to watch and enjoy the game. They also are invited to listen in during the team huddles during time-outs. I always joke with them that the only rule is that they are not allowed to get any technical fouls. That would probably be the end of the program."

Morrissey said the program also is a way to thank the faculty, administrators and staff for their support of UD's student-athletes.

"It helps educate those same faculty, administrators, and staff about all the hard work and commitment that our student-athletes put into their sports," Morrisey said. "To be in the locker room and on the floor really gives them a glimpse of the student-athlete experience. In addition, sitting on the bench lets you understand a little bit of the pressure and excitement that our players feel representing our University by performing in front of 5,000 fans. It really is a unique perspective."

Because of its popularity, Morrissey tries to involve as many people as possible in the program. The pool of individuals comes from faculty who have taught student-athletes, advisers who have had a lot of contact with the players and University administrators.

"We try to really spread the wealth," Morrissey said, "in the sense that we try to get representatives from various colleges, departments and units throughout the University. The program is also now at the point that we get requests from people to participate or we receive referrals from previous people who think someone specific would enjoy it. So, obviously, it's become quite popular.

"It's funny," Morrissey added, "when you encounter people some time after they've participated in the program. They often comment that they are '1-0' as 'coach' or something to that effect."

On Feb. 17, John Bishop, counseling and student development, was honorary coach during the game against Towson University. Being a former college basketball player and Blue Hen basketball fan, he said he welcomed the opportunity to get a closer look at the team and the game.

"It is a great opportunity for faculty and administrators to see the dedication and commitment that is required to participate in college-level athletics," Bishop said. "I would recommend the experience to anyone who has an opportunity to participate in it."

Bishop added, "It was made clear that this was an 'honorary' position and that the real coaches would not need my help. It was also pointed out that referees pay attention to what they hear from the bench and that I should control my enthusiasm accordingly."

Some of the faculty or staff members who have served as game coaches in the past include Tim Brooks, dean of students office; Executive Vice President David Hollowell; Carole Marks, Black American Studies Program; John Nye and Lesa Griffiths, both agriculture and natural resources; Pam Beeman, health and nursing sciences; Kent St. Pierre, Arthur Anderson Alumni Professor of Accounting; Jim Dean and Linda Russell, both English; and Gail Mattix, health and exercise sciences.

The last two assistant honorary coaches of the regular season are Diane Davis, registrar's office, who will attend tonight's 7:30 p.m. game against the University of Vermont, and Sandra Carberry, computer and information sciences, who will be with the Hens when they play University of Hartford at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24.

–Ed Okonowicz

Photo by Tom Nutter