Smart Fellas

I'm watching game one of the Giants-Phillies NLCS right now and Joe Buck said that one of the Giants (I think he gave a name, but I missed it) said something along the lines of "we're just a bunch of idiots who might be crazy enough to pull this off." Tim McCarver then mentioned how the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox called themselves a bunch of idiots.

I know it's the players saying this stuff, and not the PR machines, but it made me think about the fact that, in the NBA, WNBA and NBA Development League, we don't give players' hometowns, we give their colleges. Ever look at the program inserts, game notes or roster cards I create for games? Ever look at a basketball team's online roster? We always list the college the player attended.

They do that in football too, not so much in baseball or hockey. And while it would be easy to argue that's because of the popularity of college basketball and football compared to that of baseball and hockey, let's be honest, the NBA and the NFL don't need help marketing their product by relying on the fact these guys played on the national stage in college.

The way I see it? I'm damn proud that these players went to college and to some good ones. Whenever I interview a player I always ask what they studied and what they might one day do with that. I would not be happy if a Vipers player ever referred to the team as a bunch of idiots. It's a poor use of the word. You want to say you're relaxed or free and easy, then say that. But a bunch of idiots? What kind of message does that send to the kids at home?

This is reason #768 that I find Stanley Asumnu to be an inspiration. Did you know he stayed an extra semester at Tennessee after basketball was over? He didn't stay to play football (although he did play). He stayed to finish his degree. He could've easily gone pro right away, maybe entered the NBA D-League sooner or gone overseas for a year. But he realized the importance of a good education and having a degree. This off-season he's been functioning as a member of our front office and doing a great job.

Did you know that Jonathan Wallace has been accepted to Georgetown Law School? He deferred his acceptance to pursue his NBA dream. But if basketball doesn't work out? He'll go right back to school and become a lawyer. He went to Georgetown undergrad too. He walked onto the team, so it's not like he got in because he's good at sports (something that isn't always possible at top schools). He got in because he has a brain.

The list goes on, but I think you get the point. That's why I'm proud to be a Viper. We don't just provide family-affordable entertainment, but we have players who can serve as role models. They're all college graduates. If basketball doesn't work out, none of them will have trouble finding work. They're smart guys. They understand the importance of getting a good education, and hopefully kids in the Valley see that and follow their example.