Aug. 1, 2005
This is the second in a series of occasional pieces by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan detailing the travels of Villanova's representatives with USA Basketball - head coach Jay Wright and senior guards Randy Foye and Allan Ray.
Two places at once?
Jay Wright wouldn't mind taking a crack at three spots on this first day of August. He is, of course, in Colorado Springs, Col., serving as head coach of USA Basketball's World University Games club and enjoying the experience immensely.
"For a basketball coach," Wright says, "it's like a dream. There are four assistants here and all four are head coaches at their respective schools. The players are some of the top athletes in the nation and are very excited about the opportunity to represent their country. Many of their college head coaches are here too so you get to spend some time with them.
"You have a staff here at USA Basketball, with people like Sean Ford, Craig Miller and B.J. Johnson, that takes care of all of the administrative work. You go to practice each day and then come back to a beautiful hotel.
"Aside from missing my family, it's been great."
Ah, but Wright also would like to have been in Texas over the weekend to have watched guard Allan Ray as he competes on USA Basketball's 21-and-Under squad.
"The other day I read the report on the game against Lithuania and it said that ARay made a difference with his defense," Wright states. "I'm more proud of him for that than I am when he is drilling jumpers. Allan has made his mark on that team by playing great defense and I think he's feeling really good about himself. He's developed his all-around game."
Finally, Wright's perfect world would also find him at Villanova on Aug. 1 to take part in the annual "Summer Jam" festivities that include a basketball carnival and alumni games.
"The Summer Jam is my favorite day of the summer and I hate missing it," Wright states. "The opportunity to interact with so many segments of the Villanova community - basketball alums, fans, alumni, students - is a treat every year. It's killing me not to be there.
"I am grateful to Eddie Pinckney and Coach (Rollie) Massimino for pitching in to help host this event this year. It is times like this that you really rely on your staff and I know that our staff is doing a tremendous job to make sure that this year's Jam is as special as ever. From a selfish standpoint, though, I wish I could be there."
For now, Wright is primarily focused on the job at hand - preparing a group of collegians that includes Shelden Williams (Duke), Craig Smith (Boston College), Gerry McNamara (Syracuse) and Randy Foye (Villanova), for the World University Games that begin on Aug. 11 in Izmit, Turkey. The trials began on July 28 and will wrap up later this week. Fourteen candidates are vying for the 12 roster slots.
"In the first few days we really concentrated on giving all of the guys a chance to make the team," states Wright. "Everyone has been great. When we put a play in, it doesn't take very long for these guys to absorb what we are teaching.
" Soon, Wright knows, the challenging task of paring the roster to 12 will be upon him. The plan presently is to make decisions on Tuesday evening with announcements expected on Wednesday.
"It's really going to be difficult," says Wright. "Sometimes when you are in a Trials atmosphere, guys kind of cut themselves. But that isn't happening here. Every one of these guys has played hard.
Of course, one of those 14 athletes knows Wright much better than most. Foye has logged hundreds of hours in Wright's practices at Villanova. The head coach suspects that knowledge isn't as much of an advantage as it might appear.
"I think it's probably a minus for Randy," says Wright. "At times it feels like I'm coaching one of my own sons. In those situations as a coach you tend to want to show that this person is not receiving any special treatment so you end up being tougher on them. You can also get more frustrated with them because you think they should be doing everything right.
"The good thing about Randy is that I know he can handle it."
Once the roster is set, the coaching staff will begin crafting roles for its athletes. By Friday, the team will be on its way to Turkey.
"It's been like a dream, it really has," Wright says. "I've enjoyed every minute of it. Being the head coach at Villanova puts you into position to represent your country in this way and I'm really excited about it.
"I just wish there was a way I could be in three places this week"...
The next major event on the Villanova Basketball calendar arrives on Monday, Sept. 19 at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J. That's the date of the third annual Villanova Classic. The special honoree in 2005 is former Wildcat head coach Jack Kraft.
The event begins at 10:30 a.m. with registration followed by lunch at 11:00 a.m. At 12:30 p.m. golfers take part in a shotgun start. Following golf there are cocktails at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and the annual auction set to get underway at 6:30 p.m.
"The Villanova Classic is a great opportunity for our Villanova Basketball family to come together to honor Coach Kraft and to raise money for our basketball program," says Wright.
There are a number of different ways to participate. A tournament foursome costs $2,400 and includes a round of golf for four, lunch, cocktails, dinner and classic gifts. Individual players receive the same amenities for $600. Individual hole sponsorships cost $300 and allow those who may not be able to attend to demonstrate their support in a visible fashion. Guests can take part in the dinner and auction only for $100 and there is also a 50/50 Raffle available for the same amount.
Reservations are being accepted now and this has proven to be a very popular day in recent years. To reserve a spot, please call the Block V Club (877-434-1500) or contact it via email at blockvclub@villanova.edu
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