Post by FIUFanatic on Oct 20, 2007 8:36:25 GMT -5
Nice story by Pete Pelegrin in today's Herald about the new leadership in Turtle Thomas in the baseball program.
www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/278281.html
COLLEGES NOTEBOOK
FIU learning process starts
Posted on Sat, Oct. 20, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com
The voice in the microphone at University Park can be heard almost from across campus.
As it begins to wind down fall practice, the Florida International baseball team is playing intersquad games, but more often than not, new coach Turtle Thomas halts the practice game.
''It's a crazy thing,'' left fielder John Petika said. ``We'll be doing an intersquad game and he's got the microphone back there, and if he sees something not done right, he'll stop the whole intersquad and teach how it's supposed to be done.''
Thomas, who was hired to replace Danny Price earlier this year, is a detail-oriented coach, and it's that quality he's trying to instill in his new team.
''[The interruptions] all has a purpose,'' pitcher Steven Stewart said. ``The man has been to 14 [College] World Series so he knows what he's doing. We're just following his direction and hopefully he'll lead us to where we want to go -- Omaha.''
The Golden Panthers, who in the mid-to-late 1990s were regulars in the NCAA postseason, have not reached an NCAA Regional since 2002.
But Thomas would like to change that.
''We've got some talented players on this team no doubt about it,'' Thomas said.
``Now it's a matter of getting all the systems in and trying to mesh the team together all the way through making sure they have a good work ethic and the discipline is there.''
As an assistant with Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami, Louisiana State and Arizona State, Thomas has plenty of postseason experience.
After nearly a month with their new coach, the Golden Panthers are counting down the days to their Feb. 22 season opener against visiting USC.
''There's a totally different mood on the team,'' Stewart said. ``Everybody is ready knowing this program is turning around. . . . We're really excited and we're ready to play.''
• Sophomore forward Juan Guerra was named Conference USA Offensive Player of The Week.
Guerra had two goals against Alabama-Birmingham, as the Golden Panthers picked up their second consecutive Conference USA victory.
www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/278281.html
COLLEGES NOTEBOOK
FIU learning process starts
Posted on Sat, Oct. 20, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com
The voice in the microphone at University Park can be heard almost from across campus.
As it begins to wind down fall practice, the Florida International baseball team is playing intersquad games, but more often than not, new coach Turtle Thomas halts the practice game.
''It's a crazy thing,'' left fielder John Petika said. ``We'll be doing an intersquad game and he's got the microphone back there, and if he sees something not done right, he'll stop the whole intersquad and teach how it's supposed to be done.''
Thomas, who was hired to replace Danny Price earlier this year, is a detail-oriented coach, and it's that quality he's trying to instill in his new team.
''[The interruptions] all has a purpose,'' pitcher Steven Stewart said. ``The man has been to 14 [College] World Series so he knows what he's doing. We're just following his direction and hopefully he'll lead us to where we want to go -- Omaha.''
The Golden Panthers, who in the mid-to-late 1990s were regulars in the NCAA postseason, have not reached an NCAA Regional since 2002.
But Thomas would like to change that.
''We've got some talented players on this team no doubt about it,'' Thomas said.
``Now it's a matter of getting all the systems in and trying to mesh the team together all the way through making sure they have a good work ethic and the discipline is there.''
As an assistant with Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami, Louisiana State and Arizona State, Thomas has plenty of postseason experience.
After nearly a month with their new coach, the Golden Panthers are counting down the days to their Feb. 22 season opener against visiting USC.
''There's a totally different mood on the team,'' Stewart said. ``Everybody is ready knowing this program is turning around. . . . We're really excited and we're ready to play.''
• Sophomore forward Juan Guerra was named Conference USA Offensive Player of The Week.
Guerra had two goals against Alabama-Birmingham, as the Golden Panthers picked up their second consecutive Conference USA victory.
