College Basketball coaches bring camaraderie, admiration for soldiers in "Hoop Talk"

Photo By Sgt. Anthony Hooker | University of Virginia head men's basketball coach Dave Leitao works as a referee June 7, 2008 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Leitao worked as a referee in support of "Operation Hoop Talk."  

BALAD, IRAQ

08.14.2008

Courtesy Story

215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Anthony Hooker
215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ – Five National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball head coaches made an appearance, June 7, 2008, at the Eastside Fitness Center. Jeff Bdzelik (Colorado University), Ed Conroy (The Citadel), Jim Crews (United States Military Academy-West Point), Dave Leitao (University of Virginia) and Gary Stewart (University of California-Davis) joined former New York Knick executive Jeff Nix to celebrate the spirit of the American service member and participate in a goodwill basketball challenge between two military branches.

Dubbed "Operation Hoop Talk," the event was a spin-off of a number of sports-themed challenges sponsored by the USO since 2004. Invited to serve as coaches for a game between the Army and Air Force, the group did a meet and greet with the competitors and casual onlookers along with sharing their feelings and admiration. Each coach pointedly mentioned how proud they were to be around people who show dedication to a job that requires a lot of discipline and sacrifice.

Shortly afterward, the game got underway. Coaches Bdzelik and Conroy led the Air Force while Crews and Nix took leadership of the Army's team. Coaches Leitao and Stewart served as referees.

The Airmen raced out to an early 8-0 lead, but Army was able to pull even and take the lead by the second period. The lead was traded numerous times throughout the contest, but by the fourth period, the Army was able to secure a 39-37 lead with under a minute to play.

Forced to foul, the Air Force caught a break as the Army made only one of two free throws. Senior Airman first-class Taress Daniels dribbled the length of the court and got off a three-point shot, but it was hard off the glass and allowed the Army to secure the victory and bragging rights.

Happy to be on the winning side, Crews said the real winners are the people who get a chance to see the military in action.

"We see that commitment from [the military], how to be a teammate," said Crews, "sharing information, giving encouragement to one another, not being broken by things that go wrong but focus on improving . . . doing that so good things can take place."

Crews said all of his fellow coaches identify with the selfless approach that the military approaches any conflict it participates in. "An important part of life is having the ability to give to something bigger than yourself and sports allow for that."

Marketing professional Rick Keel, one of the original collaborators of the promotion, says sports-themed events is one of the best ways he and fellow sports figures could give back to the troops.

"[Service members] are athletes," said Keel, "They compete, they are motivated . . . a lot of things that motivate and drive [sports] teams motivate and drive Soldiers."

Bzdelik, a former member of the Illinois Army National Guard, says the fighting spirit he witnesses from the military is something he regularly shares with folks back home.

"I relay to the public just how dedicated the military is to answering our nation's call," said Bdzelik, sporting an Air Force T-shirt. "I have so much respect for the various military branches . . . they are making a difference with everything they do."

• Date Taken: 08.14.2008
• Date Posted: 08.14.2008 12:17
• Story ID: 22482
• Location: BALAD, IQ