Freshmen Quotations

I came out of the private sector, a life that I enjoyed. I sleep in a bed every night with a woman I went to first grade with. I wasn't running for a job. I was running - and I think you will find this to be the case with many of the freshmen - to produce results.

Harvard freshmen are smart, interested, and excited, and it's fun hearing their different perspectives and stuff that they will share.

We've recorded over our voices once and double the harmonies, make them thick. The Four Freshmen do that.

We started three freshmen and three sophomores tonight. And we're going to improve. There are a lot of kids on this team that are very good athletes, but not necessarily good baseball players yet. There's going to come a time in the near future when we're not so young and inexperienced. It'll come.

We started subbing and early in the fourth quarter we had some freshmen on the field.

When you think back to our freshmen year, it was kind of like, if anyone got off the bench and got in, you wanted to see them do as much as they could. It's just awesome to see.

We're going to solidify a lineup. There was a lot of things that went on last weekend. We just wanted to see what guys were made of. We realized that some of the freshmen weren't quite ready yet, and I think in the same aspect, we have some older guys that maybe started wondering where they stand with the team.

We're going to play these games in 2006. By that I mean, they're not freshmen anymore. When you play a freshman in the first or second game of the year, you kind of watch with a hand over one eye. This far along in the season, they're athletic enough, they're smart enough and they're tough enough.

We're going to have a heart-to-heart. I might have to bring up some freshmen and sophomores that have been coming to practice and working hard. At least they'll play with some fire. We don't have much time, so we need to start making a run.

We brought two freshmen up (Jeff Sinclair is the other) because we thought they could contribute right away. I could kind of see the team blending together as the season went on.

We broke students into two groups. The first group could be accepted here as freshmen and full-time undergrads. The other 64 are enrolled in a continuing studies program, which they can do for a limited amount of time. They are people seeking temporary assistance.

We're excited. We've got 13 girls and eight are freshmen and sophomores. This is a good experience for them. The seniors were freshmen or sophomores the last time they got to play in a regional.

We're being way too soft in big situations. It's a matter of being consistent and the freshmen and sophomores need to grow up. They need to understand what it takes to win.

We're been averaging four freshmen in our lineup and there's a lot to be said for experience, but our kids can all compete at this level. They just have to believe they can compete at this level.

We're a young, inexperienced team, and we have to learn how to win games. We have six freshmen and five sophomores and a junior without a lot of experience. That's the tale of the tape right now.

We knew what kind of prolific scorer he could be, and he's come along well. Some freshmen take longer to come around.

We knew we would beat them, as we matched up really well on paper. We had a lot of strength going up against their weaknesses. The freshmen really showed some heart in the win over McDaniel. It felt like a new team against McDaniel and that really got some momentum going.

We like being on top and we like people hunting for us, because that means we're doing things well. I'm not going to take anything away from our season. We're 24-6 and my second year -- with those freshmen that did well last year -- we had seven losses. So we're happy with where we are. North Idaho, looking back now, one of those wins would have won it for us outright.

We knew they were a young team and all season they've had a problem with turnovers. We wanted to force those freshmen to make some decisions. That's what we did and that's what got our juices flowing.

With those players the leadership of a senior point guard, we'll be building on the nucleus they have, and with the incoming freshmen it should be a good team.

We're still in a growing up stage. Last year we relied on a lot of freshmen and sophomores and we lost a lot of close games. One reason the sophomores from last year who are now juniors are playing better is because they're more experienced. A.J. (Johnson) and Al Thornton are giving us good leadership, and we're getting leadership from our three seniors. Todd Galloway has been in the program for four years, so has Andrew Wilson. We have some guys who are maturing a little bit and it's taking some pressure off of our new players.

We've got four freshmen on this team. If I subbed in more, I would have the size to get the ball inside.

We've got a young team, freshmen and sophomores and Rodney. But we've got a competitive group.

We've got area's where we think the freshmen are going to play. Don't want to name them but we've got to wait until they get here and see how fast they can learn.

We have much better depth than we've had in recent years. We return five players who have started and have added several quality freshmen who have given us a boost. We have a lot of options.

This was a solid start for us. Our veterans played well and the freshmen did a great job in their first competition. They had high intensity and they did a great job of putting opponents away when they had the chance.

There are players who are freshmen that could play vital roles in our team this year. We could potentially have three starting for us.

We really have a bunch of room for improvement. Having so many freshmen on the team made it interesting. I saw who was and wasn't comfortable, and I know now the things we need to work on.

We have really been so successful because of the hard work and dedication the girls have put in. It was a difficult transition for the freshmen coming in, but the seniors really stepped up and got them used to high school level competition.

We have quite a few freshmen girls out. They played in middle school, so they know how to play the game when they get here.

We have played only one home game. When you do that with freshmen and sophomores, this is what happens.

We have a young team this year, with only three seniors and two juniors. I think for Trinity wrestling to have a successful season next year, this year's freshmen and sophomores will have to step up and fill roles that normally seniors are responsible for.

We have a young make up with three sophomores and six freshmen on this team. But we also have a great deal of experience to go along with the youth.

There is no doubt they are much better prepared for the season than any other freshmen coming in the summertime.

We're just trying to mature. We've got a lot of freshmen who really don't know what to expect. The coaches are just trying to calm us down and get us on the right track, but jitters are great. That's why you play this game, to have those jitters and have that opportunity to be successful.

We have a really young team with plenty of freshmen and sophomores. This team has been really fun because they play a high level of enthusiasm and focus. They seem to want to play at their highest level every game.

We have a real exciting team this year. We will be depending on seven freshmen . . . and with some of the other kids we have, we think we can be very competitive at a high level.

We had awesome focus and intensity. If we could do that for 40 minutes, we could beat any team in the country. Cal?s freshmen are amazing, but our focus and intensity made the difference.

We have six freshmen on the team and they are really talented, and I knew we were going to be good, but you never know how we will do until we get out there. But potentially, the sky is the limit for this team.

We met with the new guys on the team and made them realize you don't have to be as talented to go far. It's hard to live up to expectations. I told the freshmen not to listen and to just go out and play.

Last year they were freshmen and sometimes they played like freshmen. Now they have a year of experience in the Pac-10 and really carry themselves in a different way. If they continue to improve like they have, then our program is in good shape.

Last year, we were 11 freshmen just trying to get by. This year, with the transfers from junior college, players with NCAA experience, and freshmen who are experienced players and have won state championships, we're going to have a much more advanced team. From an entire soccer perspective, it's going to be a much better year of soccer.

Let's face it, we did a great job getting back here. But we lost six seniors and now we're counting on two or three freshmen and a couple of sophomores to step up. And they did a great job for us this year.

Sean can help us with his shooting and Cyrus with his rebounding, and both can do other things. I'm just glad our freshmen can be our fifth, sixth or seventh options and not our first or second.

So far we're playing pretty well. We knew that our offense was going to be able to produce runs and our defense has been very solid the last couple of years. The big surprise has been the pitching. We have two freshmen who have done outstanding work.

She's just starting to get back into the loop. And I think sometimes the SEC can be a little daunting for all freshmen when you're looking at kids that you've had their poster up on your wall. When you're facing a Georgia or Tennessee, we need to work her in and let her get a feel for the game.

On a marketing level it's been a real drawback for the NBA to have all these freshmen and high school players in the league.

Somebody asked me if I thought our freshmen had hit the wall. At every tough practice, or tough loss, I think they think it's the wall. It's just that there's a lot of walls out there for you.

Some are doing really well as freshmen and some are doing well considering they're freshmen. It's always an adjustment in lots of different facets. They're doing a great job of getting integrated into our system and being good teammates, and some of them are actually performing well. The other ones will, given time.

She has a nose for the ball and an amazing volleyball IQ. She will need to work hard in the preseason, but we expect for her to be among the group of freshmen to make an immediate impact.

She and I have faced off since we were freshmen and I have never gotten a base hit off of her. I knew I had one more chance my last at-bat and I took advantage of it.

She is hard working and tough. She is still green and has a lot to learn. She's earned it. I hope she can step up, but I don't like to put pressure on freshmen girls. I need a front runner.

She just woke up. We've been working hard on hitting and the young girls are taking control. That's nice to see from freshmen and sophomores.

Now we have two full courts inside of the gym. We can have the varsity and JV on one, the freshmen on the other. It helps having everyone together.

Obviously they were both highly recruited pitchers, so I definitely expect them to do what they're doing. But they still have to improve. They're two freshmen that are making progress to be better.

Obviously as a freshman, without question he was not only one of the best freshmen in the league, but was one of the better players in the league. He's got great size. He can shoot over top of people. He makes every difficult shots.

Right now, I have my favorite 10 sophomores and favorite 10 freshmen in America in a list. I never used to do that.

One thing freshmen learn right at the beginning is the importance of service to others.

I was really proud of our freshmen tonight. They really stepped it up tonight and was a big part of this win.

I was surprised our whole defense was freshmen except for me. But I'm glad it happened that way, because next year we're all going to be good again.

I wouldn't trade by top six in for anybody. I love this team and, even the freshmen that come off the bench are doing tremendous things and are beyond my expectations.

I guess I'm one of the few guys not surprised they're playing the way they are. I knew that both kids were confident in their ability to play right away. We've asked them to do more than most freshmen are asked to do. I'm pleased and proud of the way they're playing.

I don't consider those guys freshmen anymore. They've shown up in the big games. They're mature.

I don't consider them to be freshmen anymore. They've played in a lot of big games for us so far. We're in our tenth game of the season, and those guys are almost veterans already.

I don't know what freshmen will be coming in, but it should be a good team next year. I was very pleased with the progress. I look back on the start of the season and it was basic techniques. By the end, they had come along very well.

I am really going to miss these four seniors. As a group, they represent the best of what student-athletes can be. They are appreciative of every opportunity and resource we have at Texas. They've worked very very hard in basketball. Academically, all of them are a success story. They volunteer and give back in the community. They've guided the freshmen especially well, and each of them has been a great leader and mentor for our young team.

Building team chemistry was the most important thing we did this summer. We really didn't do too much socializing off-campus, because after we finished playing each night, we would get home around 8:30 or so and everyone was really tired. But, some of the freshmen have come over to my house and I've cooked dinner for them.

Because we had the nucleus of our team win that tournament two years ago -- the juniors and seniors right now were freshmen and sophomores -- I worry about that being more of a negative than a positive. These kids have recognized that they've already done that.

Chris is a real hard worker. Sometimes freshmen stay to themselves. But Chris' work ethic is very contagious in practice. He challenges other boys to push it harder. The competitiveness gets everybody going, and practice goes to a much higher level.

I look for our freshmen to contribute a lot in the relays. We also need them to get into the finals in their respective events, to knock other people out of position to score. Some of the younger athletes, like Lauren Scott , Steven Bach and Terrell Thompson , have the ability to do that. At the Big Ten meet, I tell all of our athletes to focus on beating bodies, not on jumping a certain distance or running a certain time. If you focus on beating people, those things will come.

I have always had a lot of respect for Cedric. We came in as freshmen together. To know what he's been through ... for him to go out happy has to be a great feeling.

I feel positive about this team. These kids won titles as freshmen (frosh championship), sophomores (JV) and juniors (NCL I) so they are used to hanging up a pennant.

I can't say enough about how mentally tough our kids stayed throughout this match. Even though we have a lot of talent, we still are very young. For the match to come down to two freshmen and for them to prevail, that says an awful lot about the heart of this team.

I can't expect 13 girls with nine freshmen to be able to go out there and hold their own. I also don't want to be discouraging. It's not that we can't accomplish good things, but we are in a league packed with swimming powerhouses.

Four freshmen started tonight and they're learning how to win with good senior leadership. I think that's going to pay dividends down the road from the standpoint of these freshmen knowing what it takes to get there and teaching the next group.

Freshmen lining up against one of the best players in the history of the Big 12, that will help them be better in their own games offensively and knowing what to do defensively if we get into the postseason.

Freshmen don't make moves like that. So (Mullins) graduated today. He isn't a freshman today.

Freshmen become sophomores, sophomores become juniors and juniors become seniors. Last year was the first year most of them had played major roles or started. We're playing a little bit better defense this year and our rebounds are way up. Generally if you do that you're going to win games.

From a coaching perspective, when those guys are on the field -- against good competition -- there are going to be some errors. But I don't think these freshmen want to be treated as freshmen anymore.

From year to year they may get a little stronger and a little faster, but the biggest thing is what happens between their temples. Just to have this many freshmen on the field at the same time, there are going to be mental mistakes.

I don't remember another time at Texas when we had more playing time available to a freshman ? We are not banking on the freshmen to give us help in the future. We need them to play now.

I don't think we've ever had a team where we've relied on freshmen like this season. They play with more maturity and poise than their age.

I don't think we're that young. We have strong leadership from seniors like Jen Gardner and Katie Dean, and some of the freshmen are contributing already. We have a nice mix of youth and veterans.

For us last year, we had the problem of giving up the big inning a lot of the time. We got better as things went on, and this year we're a totally different team, and we have to put that stuff behind us. We've got several freshmen and sophomores we're going to live or die with. That's our future.

If the freshmen and sophomores don't know what to expect, they'll know after the first 15 minutes of the game.

If their freshmen test score is in the top 10, we give those 10 kids $1,000.

He won't settle for mediocrity. He says we've got five freshmen on the team and things like that, but over and over in the locker room he's telling us that we're going to be a good team. We can't settle for any less than that.

(He) has come out of nowhere. I mean my goodness, I don't think there's a whole lot of freshmen in America doing what he's doing. He has been terrific.

He gives you that look, and you're out of it for a whole practice. He spooks a lot of freshmen out with that.

We can make all the excuses we want but part of it is we don't have many sophomores out there and we've got a lot of freshmen out there playing college basketball for the first time. Sometimes going through something like this gives you a comfort level the next time.

The purpose is to make the freshmen feel welcome and let them know about the clubs and athletics offered. We want to get them excited about coming to Minden High.

We've been waiting all year for someone to step up and grab hold of that fifth spot, and he's obviously doing that and then some. He's finding that level of comfort freshmen usually take time to find. He wants to step up and show he's a player we can count on.

We're older on defense than we've been the last couple years. We had been playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores. Now we're predominantly juniors.

We've got to throw the freshmen into the fire because they're going to be very good before it's over. I know they're our future on the mound and they're only going to get better by going out against good people in a regional-type atmosphere like we'll see this weekend.

We swam pretty well, considering it wasn't a big meet. I thought they stepped up and raced against each other. This meet was a good chance to see the new kids. I have 17 freshmen this year and I need to get a feel for what they can do. We know a meet against Rosary is going to be very tough.

We (the four seniors) can show the freshmen and sophomores what to expect in the NCAA Tournament and then later on down the road.

Having almost all freshmen and starting just one sophomore, I was real happy with how they competed. They played hard.

Having all those freshmen at one time, I knew before the year even started that somebody was going to leave. I didn't know who it would be, but somebody wasn't going to be happy with playing time.

Guys are playing their role, more people are playing then ever, we're playing more freshmen and those guys are stepping up. All things are pointing in the right direction.

Going one, two, three in the 50 with two freshmen and a sophomore makes things look really good for a couple years now.