WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.000 music. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:22.000 Ladies and gentlemen out here in Frisco, Texas, make some noise for Western Oregon 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:25.000 cheering. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:29.000 Jim Shaw: Our record for the season was 31 and 4 which is the best mark is school history. 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:34.000 We won the GNAC conference tournament for the first time in school history. 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:37.000 We were ranked number 1 in the west for the firs time in school history. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:42.000 We were a number 1 seat in the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history, 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:46.000 cheering. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:51.000 and we finished the year ranked number 3 in the country which is the highest in school history. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:56.000 To make the amount of historical marks they made is just an unbelievable accomplishment. 00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:61.000 Whereas our cities are proud of the record of Western Oregon University Men's Basketball team has earned 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:04.000 buy their good sportsmanship and inspired team play, 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:12.000 proclaim Friday April 8th, 2016 as Western Oregon University Men's Basketball team day in the cities of Monmouth and Independence. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:22.000 music. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:28.000 Julian Nichols: When I walked out of the hotel and I didn't realize how close the Dr. Pepper Area was to the actual hotel. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:33.000 But we crossed the street and I just remember taking a deep breath before I walked in, 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:38.000 Telling myself, this is the moment we've been waiting for, that's I've been waiting for. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:46.000 And then when I got actually into the area and seeing the court I just had to soak it all in, kind of relieved like we made it here. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:48.000 music. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:53.000 Jim Boutin: I was very fortunate to be the head basketball coach at Western Oregon for 6 years. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:60.000 And the most outstanding team we had was the 1981,82 that is now in the Hall of Fame that finished 30 and 2. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:07.000 And it's like the team this year, all the thrills and all the excitement is tremendous. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:16.000 We took very very good care of the basketball, we ran plays that were very intricate and got the ball to people. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:22.000 Needed the ball in certain positions and then we had a head coach, Jim Shaw, that orchestrated this. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:26.000 And also orchestrated communication with people. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:33.000 music. 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:38.000 Jordan Wiley: After 4 years, it's been cool to see the program grow, I think when I was a freshman we were picked last in the GNAC. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:44.000 So it's been really cool to be apart of that and kind of changing the program around. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:49.000 Babara Dearing: It was mementos for us to be able to host the NCA West Regional tournament this year, 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:56.000 and that in and of itself is a tremendous kudos to the team. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:65.000 When the bleachers were all pulled out, we had an almost packed house, almost full for that championship game. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:11.000 It was like this is what college athletics on the division 2 level is all about. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:19.000 Devon Alexander: There are so many memories with each individual on this team, it's hard to just pin point, but 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:24.000 all these guys have some impact on your life in their own way. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:31.000 Obviously you're more close with who you see more outside and off the court whether it's just because of they're in your grade, 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:36.000 or they live with you. It's definitely like a brotherhood, a second family. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:40.000 And if you play on a team you know what I'm talking about but 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:44.000 they're your brothers, your friends, your best friends. You talk to them about just about anything. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:50.000 music. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:60.000 On behalf of the Western Oregon Basketball team, we give you the NCAA signed ball to Rogers Elementary. Thank you. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:04.000 Jordan Wiley: What I remember most about this season is going to the elite 8 in Texas, 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:10.000 And then we got to go to Rogers Elementary school and it was really cool to be apart of that and see how excited the kids were. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:13.000 cheering. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:19.000 music. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:22.000 Jim Shaw: Coming in with a core group of seniors like that was a blessing. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:25.000 And each one has an individual story 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:31.000 with Andy who will go down arguably as the best player in school history, he was playing football when I got here. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:36.000 And I could tell he was just a very humble, very gracious person. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:40.000 But underneath the surface lied an extremely intense competitor. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:47.000 Andy Avgi: The chemistry definitely was a big part of making it to the final four. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:51.000 We were just a really tight group, I mean we all joked around, especially with the coaches I mean I think 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:57.000 being really comfortable with one another really helps out on the court because if you like them off the court, 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:60.000 and on the court, it's kind hard to beat. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:06.000 Jim Shaw: Jordan Wiley started every game of his career here. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:09.000 And he's an outstanding shooter. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:17.000 Jorden Schriber in some ways I have more respect for than any of them because he had a year that could have 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:20.000 taken anyone's attitude and affected it. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:25.000 And I saved the back court for last because you can't be as good as we were if you don't have good guards. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:30.000 Julian was the head of the snake so to speak in that he was our point guard, 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:35.000 and he, the thing Julian did best was manage the game and know how to win. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:39.000 Devon Alexander was our best little things guy, 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:45.000 he was without a doubt our best defender, checked the other team's leading score all the way from point guards to forwards. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:52.000 Devon Alexander: It's definitely bitter sweet. I wish I had four more years to fill with the same experience 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:56.000 that I felt just advancing to NCA tournament. 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:60.000 and the second round. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:03.000 Julian Nichols: It's amazing because you're a student at the same time, 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:07.000 and you're a basketball player, so it's kind of like this superhero thing. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:13.000 Jim Shaw: This team in my opinion maximized itself more than any other team I've ever coached. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:20.000 They mastered something that's easy to say but extremely hard to do in they mastered the ability to not beat themselves 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:26.000 And I told them that if they will use this in life, then it's an incredibly valuable thing. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:28.000 Most of the problems that occur are self inflicted, 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:37.000 if they can learn how to not beat themselves as individuals they way they did as a team, then they've really really had a special season. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:41.000 Barbara Dearing: If I had to describe the season in one word, it would be historic. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:51.000 Fulfilling. Blessed. Sensational. Unforgettable. Success. Efficiency. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:64.000 music. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:08.000 Jim Shaw: I would like to thank the community for getting behind us. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:13.000 What happened down the stretch and in the conference here is really special. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:17.000 Barbara Dearing: And it can never be taken away from those young men. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:21.000 They were the first to do this, they were the first to do that. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:27.000 And they have a long list of firsts that will stay in WOU's athletic history books for a long long time. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:31.000 One, two, three, nap time.