Nov. 14, 2010

WACO, TX - The travel blog has returned! This year's travel blog will feature video insights from the Explorers' days on the road. The first edition is for Tuesday's game at #17/17 Baylor.

Monday, November 15

2:52 PM (Central) - Kevin
Checking in after a good day so far in Waco. The team got up and had some breakfast this morning before heading over to Baylor for practice. Coach and I both spoke with Ron Franklin and Fran Fraschilla. It was good to see them again after last year when they did our games versus Kansas and Oklahoma State.
After practice, we stopped for lunch and then the team had study hall. I think they are heading out to catch a movie to get out of the hotel for a bit. Then we have some dinner.
Be sure to check out the video blog, part two. Kale and Degs landed in Waco a little bit ago so I'm sure they will be checking in shortly.

6:32 AM (Eastern) - Kale - I am waiting for Steve Degler to drop by my house so we can carpool to the airport. The team left yesterday but when I heard that Degs wasn't able to leave until a day later (as he often does) I decided to stay back an extra day as well even though I prefer always traveling with the team.

Before I go any further, I want to send a huge shout out to Pat Farrell and the men's soccer team. Even though they came up a game short in the A-10's yesterday - they still made La Salle proud and I know that it's a sign of more great things to come. Between the men and Paul Royal's women's team making the A-10 semis, it was a tremendous year on the pitch for Explorers.

I need to stop off and grab a few boxes of Tastykakes to give to our buddies Ron Franklin and Fran Fraschilla. Last year we had Tony Luke's cheese steaks shipped to Oklahoma City for them so this year we will give them a different taste of Philly.

Friday night was an exciting start for this Explorer season and, even though it was a little tense until the final minute, the boys sure made for an exciting finish.

We look forward to seeing a few La Salle friends in Waco including the great George Levesque. I can't wait to see my buddy for the first time this season!

Ok - time to hit the road . . . I will check in when I can.

Sunday, November 14

9:22 PM (Central) - Kevin

Just finished posting the video. Hopefully everyone enjoys. I think the guys were a little camera shy for most of the day, and I hope they'll warm up to this idea as the season goes on. I will try to do a video for each day if I can.

We had a good dinner in the hotel after a long, but uneventful flight. The team seems loose and not nervous about playing a ranked team on national television. Coach Giannini has gone over a lot of the protocal for being on the road for the young guys who are on their first road trip.

My counterpart at Baylor, Chris Yandle, stopped over here to drop off notes and media guides. I haven't met Chris yet, but he seems like a good dude for driving over here on a Sunday night to make sure we have everything.

We've got Ron Franklin and Fran Fraschilla on the call on Tuesday. Those two did our games at Kansas and Oklahoma State and are among the best in the business. Looking forward to seeing them.

11:59 AM (Eastern) - Kevin

Just finished up my game notes. Was a quick turnaround from a Friday game and ESPN always wants notes earler, so I was able to get a good chunk of them done Saturday night while watching the Illinois-Southern Illinois game on the Big 10 Network. Was able to add some interesting tid-bits, or at least I thought so. I will get them linked up soon.

Team leaves in 16 minutes, so I better join them on the bus. Kale and Steve will be flying out Monday and joining us for dinner.