Beth Byron

November 24, 2003

It's that time of year again. The weather is starting to cool down (but is still in the 70's in Atlanta!), the leaves are changing color, and Emory basketball is back in full swing!

With many new faces, from our coaching staff to the players, the energy and enthusiasm is boundless and truly motivating every time I step out on the court. Though we started practice officially a little more than a month ago, the team has been working out together pretty much since we got back to school in August.

We all worked extremely hard in the pre-season and it has undoubtedly paid off as everyone is in great shape and ready to have an awesome season. Our morning conditioning sessions were a new addition this season, and we joined the swimmers in the gym bright and early.

Steph's conditioning music mix livened up our workouts and we all became pros on the ladder. After working up a nice sweat, the freshmen were always pumped to head to the DUC for some food. They've even named their outings when they all eat together, no matter what time of day "freshman breakfast."

I know Coach T and Kristen attended last Wednesday night after practice; I haven't had my turn yet, but I'm going to have to go soon. I have heard it is always a fun, action-packed outing with some great conversations.

Despite six freshmen on our roster and only three seniors, the friendships and bonds that have formed amongst us are something very special. Not only have we been spending numerous hours together learning each other's strengths and weaknesses on the court, but we have also done many things as a group outside the gym. We love attending other Emory sporting events and cheering on our friends who play other sports.

A couple of weekends ago we also did a ropes course. Just ask us how to get all the members of a team over a log suspended between two trees eight feet above the ground…we had the fastest time ever!

Sue also set up big sisters and little sisters on our team and every couple of weeks an upperclassman is paired with a different freshman. This gives us an opportunity to hang out outside of practice and get to know one another better. Usually we'll do something like go out to dinner, but I especially enjoyed painting pumpkins with my first little sister Caroline around Halloween.

After spending long hours out on the court and in the weight room, opening day finally arrived and we were all ready to have some fun! We didn't get to open at home in front of an Emory crowd, but we were all pumped just the same.

Dressed in our new sweats, we boarded the bus around 10:30 in the morning and headed for the University of the South. "Love and Basketball" was our choice for an inspirational movie on our way to the game, and we stopped in Chattanooga to eat our pre-game meal at Chili's.

In the locker room, before we took the floor, Coach T gave us each a penny. She used a financial analogy to illustrate the point that individually we can't do much, but together as unit, the impact we'll make out on the court and our potential to succeed will be so much greater. We stacked our pennies on the locker room floor, huddled together, broke after cheering "Emory" and took the floor with a mission.

Together, as a team, the Eagles got a huge win! This undoubtedly made our three-hour ride home much more enjoyable. We picked up some pizza for the road and by popular demand watched "Finding Nemo."

We're back in action on Tuesday night for our first home game. We are all looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd and continuing our winning ways! Go Eagles!

Beth Byron is a senior from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida . She would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans..