In late May of 2008 we began the process of putting together a men’s basketball team for the 2008-09 season. As with any coaching change there was a significant amount of attrition due to loyalty to the previous coaching staff, decisions to give up basketball, or academic issues. We knew the first step to establishing a program was to attempt to fill out the roster for the 08-09 season and then begin recruiting for 2009-10.
Fortunately for our staff some things happened to help us try to fill out the roster: a former manager (who had played as a freshman), a player cut as a freshman (but an outstanding track athlete), and a couple of HS seniors who had already picked SMU but were not recruited, asked to try out. We also had a young freshman come in and volunteer to be the manager.
As we approach the end of the 2011-12 season, one manager and three senior players are still with us. Their work ethic, loyalty, leadership, unselfishness, enthusiasm, sense of humor, on court success, and academic success will culminate in all four walking across that stage in May as college graduates. Mission accomplished. A few words about these young men who will always be a little special to Brenda, Kevin, Adam, Bill and myself. They jumped into the fray with us and never wavered. Thanks men.
Matt Rebernick
Matt has been our head manager/video since his first day on Oct. 15, 2008. What I will always remember about Matt was the way the players made him part of the team immediately. Maybe they envied his classic dance moves or running right hand fade away jump shot. Matt took his share of “heat” as a die hard Packer and Badger fan but he could verbally joust with any of those who dissed his beloved teams. Matt took pride in providing our coaches with the league’s best video coverage and he made our job easier by taking pride in doing the “little things”.
Matt was also a big fan of all of the other SMU teams, although I noticed he seemed to attend a significant more athletic events that involved our women’s teams. Hmmm!
It was my pleasure to also have Matt as a student and his diligence and preparation were impressive. His test preparation notes are now legendary with anyone associated with our basketball team. It is my guess that Matt’s growth as a person, the lessons he has learned at Saint Mary’s and his lifetime friendships will serve him well as he pursues his dreams. One day we will all point to Matt’s success with pride and be glad to call him a proud SMU alum.
A special thanks to Matt’s parents, Bill and Debbie, who have been so supportive of Matt and great fans of our men’s basketball team. Best wishes Matt and thanks again for all you have done for our program.
Rod Goolsby
In September of 2008 we walked into our first organizational meeting for men’s basketball.
There were several returnees, a couple of recruits and the other hopefuls who felt they could play college basketball. In the back row sat a gangly, wide eyed freshman from Chicago. As we discovered he did not have a great deal of formal experience but we were going to give him a chance. “Voluntary” pre-season conditioning and informal scrimmages with the returnees quickly eliminated most of those that thought “anyone can play D3”. But Rod Goolsby never wavered, he wanted a chance. We honestly did not know if Rod would be on the team his sophomore year yet alone be a key sparkplug off our bench as a senior. It has been a long road but all credit goes to Rod who will be a 4 year college basketball player and a college graduate this May. He is the best example of persistence, loyalty, and always believing in yourself.
Rod has been one of the most improved players I have ever coached. He will always be special to our staff and we will use his example to those that follow him into our program. One of the things that made this senior class unique was they were great teammates. They made it a point to embrace and take care of the new players. That is a hallmark of our program, take care of your basketball family. Rod does not care about where you come from, how good you are, what you look like, he cares about everyone. Just ask any of our freshmen.
A special thanks to Diane Washington, Rod’s mom, who raised this terrific young man. This personable young guy is going to make you proud as he enters the “real world”. We all love Rod or “Hot Rod” as his boys call him. He brought enthusiasm and the love for the game to the gym every day. He is an exciting player to watch and gives our team such a spark. We will all miss you, but we will always be there for each other. Rod, thanks for coming to that meeting in 2008. It was a pleasure to be your coach.
Tim Kunkel
Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson did a song called “Ebony and Ivory”. Well we had Tim and Rod, salt and pepper, ebony and ivory, but a duo that will always be that to me. A north sider and west sider, both feel they are the best dancer, and one even taught the other how to be a golf course caddy. Someda coach Kevin and I will judge their dance moves and they WILL carry our bags for a round of 18. These guys are what college athletics are all about, bringing two people together as teammates, and leaving together as friends. What a duo.
As we were trying to figure out how we could put this team together in 2008-09 we received a contact who told us that an undersized forward/guard from the north burbs of Chicago was enrolling at Saint Mary’s in the Fall. What the heck, a player from a big school in Chicago, why not? Little did we know that 4 years later, this gritty, undersized forward would be our co-captain and be making game winning free throws. As a freshman, Tim beat out a returning starter for his spot during the season and added a fire that we needed. A year later he was
a bit banged up and missed a start. His sub went on to be the rookie of the year in D3 for the MIAC and the west region and all-conference as a sophomore. What did Tim do? Just kept coming at him every day in practice and cheering for his teammate every day. Arguably the best offensive rebounder in the MIAC, Tim has been back in the starting lineup his senior season.
Tim is under rated as an athlete and has a high motor and a high hoops IQ. He will be the benchmark for playing hard for our program for years to come. Like Rod and Pat, Tim is a great teammate. In my 30 plus years as a college coach it is difficult to recall a young man who did more to involve his teammates off the court. Just go to his dad’s house in the summer or out to the golf course where Tim works. One summer 4 of Tim’s teammates worked together and played ball together all summer in Chicago.
A special thanks to Tim’s mom Jessica Jordan and dad Greg and Debbie Kunkel. I know how proud you feel and thanks for sharing your son with us. A special thanks to Greg Kunkel, who may love the guys on this team as much as I do. The things you have done for our guys are too many to list but you know how they feel about you.
Tim’s engaging personality, his ability to bond with others, his work ethic, and his love of people will serve him well as he gets into the “real world”. Tim “gets it”. Thank you for your effort, loyalty, big onions, caring about others, and jumping in with Kevin and I in 2008. It has been fun, best wishes.
Pat Freeman
When Coach Kevin and I worked for the Timberwolves we ran a bevy of basketball camps all over the metro area. One day I received a call from our VP and one of my good friends with the Wolves. He asked if we would consider hiring a recent HS grad from his community to work with Kevin, Mark Madsen (Wolves player), and I at the big camp we were hosting at his high school.
We never hired recent grads but we made an exception. On the first day of camp in walked this 6-5, gangly HS star, headed to play D2 hoops. I had seen him play and loved his game.
Before I knew it here was this young guy out at the curb greeting all of the young campers, high fiving and putting aside their fears of coming to the first day of camp. We loved it. It also explains why later he became, maybe, the most vocal women’s volleyball fan in the MIAC. A bit over zealous at times but…. Little did we know that he would later become an all-conference level player for us at SMU.
As fate would have it, Pat found his way to Saint Mary’s and we could not have been more pleased. It is not often you can find a 6-6 player in D3 who can play all five positions. He has had to fill that role for us and he has done it well. It has been a blessing to have coached hundreds of players over the years but few can match Pat’s true love and passion for the game of basketball. He has worked as hard as anyone I have ever coached to become an outstanding college player. He is also one of the very few who truly understand that you get one 4/5 year window to be a college athlete. He cherishes every day on the court.
A special thanks to Bill and Nancy, Pat’s parents. Like all of the parents of our players they have made sacrifices to support their son’s desire to attend college and play college basketball. A special thanks to Bill for helping us this year when we had a travel issue coming back from the airport. Pat is a special young man and you have taught him well.
We will miss Pat, his infectious personality, his relentless pursuit of the perfect game, and his leadership. He and Tim have been our best captains in our short time here. You and the coaches will be forever linked by our 24/7 love of the game. Call me any time you want to talk hoops. My guess is Pat’s life will always include basketball. I hope he coaches in college but I think he will end up as an NBA GM for a team owned by Tim, with Rod the VP of Marketing.
Thanks Matt, Rod, Tim, and Pat for finding your way into my family’s life. You made it better.
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