COLUMN: Ranger Reub reminiscenes: Classic moments in USU sports
At the beginning of this year, just for fun, I wrote down my top-10 most nostalgic moments of the year 2000 and why they were so nostalgic. Right now will probably be on my list of top 10 for 2001.
This is it. This will be my last column ever to be published in The Utah Statesman. After writing 30 of them, it all comes down to this.
In about a week and a half I will graduate from this institution of higher learning and shed the skin of irresponsibility – at least I hope I will. After three and a half years here, it’s time for me to move on. But before I do, I want to share my list of the top five nostalgic Aggie sports moments and hand out a few other honors.
1. USU basketball team’s victory over Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, March 15, 2001 – I usually have a love-hate relationship with extremely close games, but this one was pure love. I was holding my breath those last 10 seconds as USU guard Tony Brown took it to Big 10 Conference leading shot blocker Ken Johnson to send the game into overtime. Sports writers aren’t supposed to cheer (if they are in the press box), but I’ll admit, I was hootin’ and hollerin’ in front of the television in the comfort of my own home.
2. Basketball team’s victory over the University of Utah, Nov. 18, 1998 – Growing up a University of Utah fan, this was the game that made me all Aggie. The Utes came in nationally ranked and were upset, 62-54, by an Aggie team most had little respect for. I especially enjoyed the defensive job of USU guard Tyrone Allick on current Cleveland Cavaliers guard Andre Miller – one of the keys to the game. Sure, the Aggies went on to a 15-13 season, but that win over the Utes was extra special – one of the best basketball games I have seen.
3. USU hockey club’s victory over Weber State University to win the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Hockey Association Title, Feb. 25, 2000 – This one was especially sweet since the Aggies had lost to the Wildcats only a week before and still managed a 4-1 record against their Ogden rivals during that season. After going through what coach Jerry Crossley said was “inner turmoil” the previous week, most of the Aggies knew coming out of the locker room before face-off this one would be theirs.
4. USU football team’s 34-31 overtime loss to Brigham Young University, Oct. 1, 1999 – A loss in my top-five nostalgic moments? This one is in here because it was a moral victory. With two minutes left and looking like they were on their way to more doom, the Aggies came back thanks to the Jeff Crosbie-Aaron Jones connection. This one almost felt like it should have been in the “W” column, because USU played a nationally ranked program so tight.
5. Basketball team’s victory over New Mexico State in the Big West Tournament final, March 11, 2000 – this one was so special because it capped off a 19-0 winning streak against conference foes and put the Aggies in the tournament for two out of three years up to that point. Head coach Stew Morrill called it a “charmed life.”
Best interview, USU-sponsored sport: (tie) Blake Eagal (LB Football) and Curtis Bobb (F Basketball) – when you talk to these two, you feel like you’re talking to an old buddy and not an athlete you hardly know. Unlike most of the other athletes I talked to, I felt like I was on a first-name basis with these guys.
Best interview, club sport: Danny Wilson, hockey defenseman – When he comes up to you after a game, puts his hand on your shoulder and announces to anyone in earshot, “I love this man,” you know you’re in. After a tough loss, when hardly any of his teammates wanted to talk, Danny would always oblige me with something.
Most fun team to cover: USU hockey 2000 – 19-0 winning streak, 19-0 drubbing of the University of New Mexico, RMCHA Champions, fifth in the country, wild parties, good buddies – Wilson, Aaron Burrell, Ian Tracy, Aaron Sutliff, Nate Anderson, Alan Babicky and the rest of the boys were the best.
Best sports writer: Ranger Reub? (just kidding) – hope all you readers – students, athletes and professors alike – enjoyed reading my stuff as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thanks for all the memories.
Reuben Wadsworth can be reached at reubwads@cc.usu.edu