The Transition
Well it has certainly been a interesting weekend. As everyone knows by now, Ronny Thompson has resigned as the Ball State Men’s Basketball Coach. A press conference was held Friday the 13th, where Athletic Director, Tom Collins informed the fans, community and media that Thompson had resigned and the search for a new coach would happen immediately.
This is my second transition between head coaches since I have been at Ball State. I am fully aware that things like this happen all the time and it is part of the sports business.
As the oldest player in the program I feel the duty to let the new guys know that during these times is when we have to get closer as a team. Nobody wants these things to happen to their programs but they still happen at times. As hard as it was for me last year to accept the fact that my head coach was leaving, it made me stronger and it made me wiser. Now, I can share some wisdom on how to handle things as a player to the younger guys.
I have now seen both sides of the sport business. I have seen it as a player and as a sports marketing and communications intern. The two are obviously very different but similar as well.
As a player, I only go to the press conference and leave afterwards. As an intern, I got to see just how quickly things evolved after the resignation letter was received. The letter came in Thursday and by Friday at one o’clock there was a press conference with 16 cameras from Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, print and radio from all over the state, and phone interviews from ESPN and more. After helping out with the press conference, I was then in the press conference. Myself and Anthony Newell both answered questions to the media. The press conference was very professional as expected.
As a player you have to be calm and patient and also keep a level head. As an intern, I noticed it was exactly the same as a Sports Information Director. Those same aspects have to be attended to. As my parents have taught me, from every situation — good or bad — there is always something that you can take away from it that will help you in the future. I have become wiser from this situation and intend on helping my teammates even more.
Ball State WILL, be back on track and continue its tradition as a school of excellence in the classroom and on the court! You have my word! This “family”, and when I say “family”, that includes the team, the students, the university, alumni, fans and the community, will become stronger as ONE. I have complete trust that Tom Collins will bring in the right guy for the job and we’ll get it rolling from there.
