A long overdue hello from the Freeman Center! Probably like a lot of you all out there, the busyness of the summer months got to me. Staring at the calendar turned to August, I realize how quickly it has gone by again! I hope you all have enjoyed some sandy beaches and festive barbeques these last few months. In case you were wondering, after day camps in June and recruiting in July, my summer tan remains elusive. Such is the life of a college basketball coach.
 
As you can imagine, a lot has transpired over the past few months here at CNU men's basketball. A few of our returning players stayed local, working jobs on campus, helping out with day camp, or taking summer classes. Some of the other returners went home to work or just reconnect with their families and hone their basketball skills at their local gyms. The newest Captains – the incoming freshmen – were also on campus for a little while, undergoing their Setting Sail orientation and getting their first taste of CNU life.
 
No matter how their individual summers were spent, the 2013-2014 Captains will return to campus in a few weeks recharged, refreshed, and ready to get going. As a coaching staff, we really emphasize keeping in regular communication with each member of the team during the summer. Hearing and seeing the attitudes, approach, and work ethic of the guys has us all energized for the start of classes and another season.
 
The summer for a college basketball coach wouldn't be complete without the gauntlet that is July recruiting, Our coaching staff set out on the road during most of the past month, evaluating hundreds of prospective recruits while also focusing in on those select few rising high school seniors who we've identified as being great fits for CNU: athletically, academically, and socially.
 
It's not an easy task. In order to be as efficient and productive as possible, a coaching staff really needs to have done its homework beforehand and be super organized going into July. We have some great eyes for talent on our staff, and of course a great product to sell in CNU. I think we covered a ton of ground in July, identifying a diverse set of prospects who fit our needs at multiple positions. Now of course, the next step is getting some of these recruits to commit! (Hopefully during the fall months)
 
The travel that college basketball coaches undertake during the month of July is pretty astounding. This past month, our staff covered recruiting events stretching from the mountains of central PA in Reading, down through Washington, DC, all the way to the sands of Myrtle Beach, SC and Mickey's home in Orlando, FL, before ending back up in the familiar confines of Richmond. That's literally thousands of miles driven (and flown) in about twenty days! It's always fun when you wake up in yet another hotel room and forget for a moment what city you're in. On the positive side, I've become a very efficient packer, an expert on the current Top 40 radio hits (who doesn't love them some Taylor Swift??), I know the sandwich menu at Wawa's across the eastern seaboard, and I can take a TSA pat-down like a champ.
 
Of course, during this whole time the CNU campus continues to buzz with energy and improvements. Even if you were here only a few months ago, when school begins again later this month you'll be amazed at the progress. From the redesigned entrance on the Avenue of the Arts, to the opening of the magnificent Luter Hall, to the construction of the new Student Success Center, you never have to look far on this campus to be reassured that CNU is of the most amazing and special universities in the nation.
 
All of this makes for a lot of excitement as the campus prepares for the arrival of the incoming freshmen in about ten days, followed by the return of the upperclassman a week later. We feel that we have a great group of young men assembled for this upcoming year. Every single member of our squad is dedicated to being here at CNU and pursuing excellence in the classroom and a national championship on the court. We can't wait to get started. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer – we'll be seeing you soon!