A couple weeks ago, the women's basketball team suffered its only multiple-game losing streak of the season. All I have to say is, it's all my fault. That's right, don't blame the team, don't blame the coaches and don't blame the administration. Blame it on the bald guy and his pen.
Ever since I started covering the women's basketball team in late November, the team had not lost a game that I attended, prior to the two-game skid. That's right every single game that I was sitting on the sidelines writing, with the same golden pen that my grandmother gave me for my 21st birthday, the team had won.
I was beginning to think it was mere coincidence, or maybe that I was going to be part of a major breakthrough for the women's program. But the week leading up to the losing streak, I somehow misplaced my golden pen. I thought nothing of it as I went to the first of the two losses against Kent State. The team struggled in a hostile environment, losing a heartbreaker in the final minute of play. I figured it was just the luck of the draw, and me without my gold pen.
Then a few days later, the team lost at Eastern Michigan on a last-second shot, and again, I was at the game without my gold pen.
Upon returning from the two-game hiatus, I got an e-mail from the faculty advisor for the Daily News, Prof. TJ Hemlinger, saying he found my gold pen and awaited my arrival to return it to me. Up to that point, never did I think that gold pen had anything to do with the performance of the team. Then it hit me, I figured out what happened to the team - it didn't have the gold pen backing it up.
Dejected that I let the team down, I told head coach Tracy Roller about the entire situation, and that the pen was back in my possession, ready for use in upcoming games. Roller gave a little cheer and told me, "You write this, 'it's not my fault.'"
You must have been right, Coach. The next two games were two of the best games the team played all season as I sat on press row with my golden pen happily in grasp. After those two victories and the first MAC championship in the program's history, the team has but one task remaining - the MAC Tournament in Cleveland.
I sincerely apologize to all those affiliated with the women's basketball team, and please, whenever anyone asks what happened when the team lost those two game in row, blame it on me.
As the team prepares for its game against Eastern in Cleveland - have no fear - I will be on the sidelines working diligently. And I will be there, writing away with my gold pen. Never again will I abandon the team in its time of need.
Write to Joe at jmmcfarren@bsu.edu
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