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Kevin Cooney is
in his 17th season as head coach at Florida Atlantic University
and 21st overall. Each week, he’ll share some of the highs and lows
of running a college baseball program - one that continues to grow as a national
power. Cooney, who starred as a pitcher before taking Montclair State to a
Division III national title, has guided the Blue Wave to a 226-89 record and four NCAA Regionals the past five years. His 1999 squad won 34 straight games, tying
the NCAA mark set by Texas in 1977.
April 8, 2004
The Present and the Past
Well, this weekend we face UCF in a critical conference weekend. It sits at the
top of the standings, and we are somewhere in the middle of the pack. A season
that started so promising has suddenly become a challenge for us to reach our
goals.
The present situation paints us as unlikely candidates to successfully defend
the regular season championship we won last season. That is our first goal each
year as we work toward the pursuit of a regional appearance. We can still go on
and have a great season, but it starts here and now. I told our kids that the
key to the season is for us to play hard and to play well this weekend. Winning
the series would be great, but I think how we play is more important to carry us
through the rest of the way. We are 26-7 with 20 regular season games left and
have a good chance to finish strong and be right in the thick of things.
UCF is a great team that is currently playing better than anyone in the state of
Florida. Jay Bergman is my vote for the best game coach in our conference, and
he has two aces on the mound in Bono and Fox. Our present fortunes are
challenging. It should be some weekend in Boca.
The Past
Thirty years ago today, the Minnesota Twins and I parted ways. All the players
who have gotten released the past few weeks probably think that their lives are
over for good. It seems devastating to be told you can no longer play. Babe Ruth
got sold by the Yankees!
I remember how devastated I was at the time. My former father-in-law welcomed me
home by telling me that it was for the best, and now I could get a real job.
Talk about speaking frankly! It was a dark time for me, and I was bitter toward
the world.
But now that my life has continued, I see that things have worked out better
than I could ever have hoped. I have encountered so many people who have
influenced my life in such a positive way. I truly feel I have been blessed.
April 6th is also an anniversary of the past. My oldest son Jim turned 24!!!!
Man, someone is getting old. I was 24 when I was released by the Twins.
My prayer is that his life is half as blessed.
KC
Previous
Entries
Held Up Without a Gun (4/5/04)
Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword (3/27/04)
Bye Bye Buckeyes...Hello Dolphins (3/26/04)
A Festive Week Ends in a Wreck (3/22/04)
Spring
Break No Day at the Beach (3/16/04)
Baseball is Boring? What are They Smoking? (3/9/04)
Hanging with LaRussa was in the Cards (3/6/04)
Winds of Change (3/1/04)
Washington's Birthday (2/23/04)
Dugout Talks and Scouting Reports (2/21/04)
Not a Happy Valentine's Day (2/16/04)
Opening Weekend (2/9/04)
Almost FAMUs (2/2/04)
FAU Living in Land of Hope and Dreams (1/28/04)
(photo courtesy of FAU Media Relations Office) |
