Auriemma Happy To Go Out On Top At Olympics

http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2012/08/17/sports/doc502dcd30871dc534432197.txt

“It was a lot of fun for three years and 11 months, that was really enjoyable, said Auriemma, who is the first active women’s college coach to lead the U.S. to the Olympic title since Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer in 1996. That one month (during the Olympics) you cram as many emotions and as many feelings and anything else you can think of more in one month than you do for the entire (3 years, 11 months) combined. Unless you are there, unless you are a part of it and unless you go through it, it is difficult to explain.”

Now that it is over and the U.S. won Olympic gold for the fifth straight time, Auriemma is conflicted by just how daunting a task the last four years have been. On one hand he said it was the most pressure he has ever felt as a coach, but a minute or two later he admitted that the run to the FIBA World Championship title was more challenging. Through it all Auriemma emerged with a sense of pride in knowing that the mission was accomplished.

“It means there are really smart people who have confidence in you, that they think you are the guy who can do that job, Auriemma said. Jerry Colangelo (the chairman of USA Basketball) is a pretty powerful guy so when he says ‘hey, welcome aboard.’ You don’t want him to say at the end I think we have the wrong guy.’ So there is that and same with (USA Basketball executives) Jim (Tooley) and Carol (Callan) you just get this overwhelming feeling that you only get one shot at this and don’t let these people down which is quite different from here. You know that if we lose in the Final Four or whatever we are going to come back next year and give it another shot. With the Olympics it is four years of work (for) winning eight games. It is incredible the feeling of obligation that you have. That is probably the biggest word I can use.”

Auriemma has been juggling his USA Basketball and USA duties since he was named the senior national team head coach on Apr. 9, 2009. Those closest to him can see the toll it has taken on Auriemma emotionally.

Auriemma Happy To Go Out On Top At Olympics

The Associated Press

http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2012/08/17/sports/doc502dcd30871dc534432197.txt

Geno Auriemma is going out as an Olympic champion. “It was a lot of fun for three years and 11 months, that was really enjoyable, said Auriemma, who is the first active women’s college coach to lead the U.S. to the Olympic title since Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer in 1996. That one month (during the Olympics) you cram as many emotions and as many feelings and anything else you can think of more in one month than you do for the entire (3 years, 11 months) combined. Unless you are there, unless you are a part of it and unless you go through it, it is difficult to explain.” Now that it is over and the U.S. won Olympic gold for the fifth straight time, Auriemma is conflicted by just how daunting a task the last four years have been. On one hand he said it was the most pressure he has ever felt as a coach, but a minute or two later he admitted that the run to the FIBA World Championship title was more challenging. Through it all Auriemma emerged with a sense of pride in knowing that the mission was accomplished. “It means there are really smart people who have confidence in you, that they think you are the guy who can do that job, Auriemma said. Jerry Colangelo (the chairman of USA Basketball) is a pretty powerful guy so when he says ‘hey, welcome aboard.’ You don’t want him to say at the end I think we have the wrong guy.’ So there is that and same with (USA Basketball executives) Jim (Tooley) and Carol (Callan) you just get this overwhelming feeling that you only get one shot at this and don’t let these people down which is quite different from here. You know that if we lose in the Final Four or whatever we are going to come back next year and give it another shot. With the Olympics it is four years of work (for) winning eight games. It is incredible the feeling of obligation that you have. That is probably the biggest word I can use.”

Auriemma has been juggling his USA Basketball and USA duties since he was named the senior national team head coach on Apr. 9, 2009. Those closest to him can see the toll it has taken on Auriemma emotionally.

You Might Also Like

Pennsylvania school district proposes $20M in upgrades to athletic facilities

MPSSAA rules call for suspension of players who left bench during in-game brawl

Kentucky girls basketball coach resigns after sexual assault charges