Thanks for sharing the heartwarming tale of a team nobody expected to do anything, after being gutted by the transfer portal. It goes to show you the value of hard work, dedication, perseverance and grit. What an amazing story. Thanks for bringing it to life and sharing with us.
I loved how Rueck stayed on the sidelines at the end of the game and watched the players celebrate with a smile on his face. What a coach, what a team, what a season, what a win. Had me in tears.
Now for the next big challenge. Scott Rueck has never lost a first round NCAA game at OSU or George Fox. Charlie Creme with ESPN is predicting the Beavers as a #14 seed facing #3 Oklahoma and Reagan Beers in Norman. Is there room for another miracle and a 20 win season?
You could see the emotion in the faces of the players that came back. They will always be special.
Kudos to these young women who believed in their coach and to the coach who believed in them! No excuses, no whining, just hard work and more hard work! Can't wait for March Madness!!
Not much more I can add to the accolades that your readers have been saying....other than bring on OK and Reagan Beers! That would be theater.
Also, concerning the players that left. Being a bit player on a tournament team vs being part of the "family" no one thought would amount to anything? I think some of those folks have regrets.
I have had the good fortune of knowing Scott’s parents for the past 15 years and of chatted with him and his family more than a few times. Incredible people all around
I’m a Duck through and through but I will always root for Coach Rueck and his Beavers
I too am a Duck through and through and while I have never meant Coach Rueck, my admiration and respect for him and his program is off the charts in my mind. The guy is one heck of a coach and from what I hear a great person too. In looking at the game stats the women did not play great basketball - not great shooting % and too many turnovers - and they still won! I can only hope their best is yet to come and they advance deep into March Madness. Congrats to the women's team.
I hope you tell the financial decision makers at OSU that Scott Rueck needs to be rewarded with a long term extension and raise that will keep him in Corvallis for a long long time. He deserves to be coach of the year for what he accomplished this season. We definitely don’t need to lose him to some deep pockets program somewhere else.
John, this is a great story after what Scott went through last spring. Any chance you could find out who of last year’s team that bailed have made the dance with their new teams?
TVO (USC), Gardiner (UCLA), Hunter (TCU) and Beers (Oklahoma) will make the tournament. Dom (Ky) is hurt and didn't play. Blacklock (TTU) won't; Hansford (ISU) probably will but she never plays anyway. I don't even know where Pietsch ended up.
Pietch is at UC Santa Barbara. She was getting minutes earlier in the year but that trailed off. Hansford scored 34 points in 314 minutes and shot .190 this year.
I am going with culture - 100%. There is nothing like it when it comes together. I have not really ever been a part of that magic in my career. I have had tight teams in sports and business, but I am no Scott Rueck. That is magic. There are only a handful of coaches in any sport at any level who can pull off what he just did. I said last year and I will say it again, Barnes better give Rueck a 20 year contract extension.
Thanks for sharing the heartwarming tale of a team nobody expected to do anything, after being gutted by the transfer portal. It goes to show you the value of hard work, dedication, perseverance and grit. What an amazing story. Thanks for bringing it to life and sharing with us.
What a terrific run.
I loved how Rueck stayed on the sidelines at the end of the game and watched the players celebrate with a smile on his face. What a coach, what a team, what a season, what a win. Had me in tears.
That's what I saw too. Just watching his team enjoy the moment.
Yep, he knows it is ultimately about the team, not him and the coaching staff.
Now for the next big challenge. Scott Rueck has never lost a first round NCAA game at OSU or George Fox. Charlie Creme with ESPN is predicting the Beavers as a #14 seed facing #3 Oklahoma and Reagan Beers in Norman. Is there room for another miracle and a 20 win season?
You could see the emotion in the faces of the players that came back. They will always be special.
I will watch.
Just a small town girl....livin' in a lonely world.....
Ahaahahhaha... well done.
Kudos to these young women who believed in their coach and to the coach who believed in them! No excuses, no whining, just hard work and more hard work! Can't wait for March Madness!!
What a fun run.
Keep going — amid strife.
Keep going — amid setbacks.
Keep going — even when the world of college athletics does you dirty.
“We cannot let up,” he told his players, “we have to keep it on.”
And Scott Rueck's message holds true for this journey called LIFE. Thank you Coach and, to you too, John for sharing this great story.
Not much more I can add to the accolades that your readers have been saying....other than bring on OK and Reagan Beers! That would be theater.
Also, concerning the players that left. Being a bit player on a tournament team vs being part of the "family" no one thought would amount to anything? I think some of those folks have regrets.
Anyone remember the Agincourt speech the young king gave at the battle field in Shakespeare's Henry V ? "We few. We happy few. We band of brothers."
"... of sisters."
I have had the good fortune of knowing Scott’s parents for the past 15 years and of chatted with him and his family more than a few times. Incredible people all around
I’m a Duck through and through but I will always root for Coach Rueck and his Beavers
I too am a Duck through and through and while I have never meant Coach Rueck, my admiration and respect for him and his program is off the charts in my mind. The guy is one heck of a coach and from what I hear a great person too. In looking at the game stats the women did not play great basketball - not great shooting % and too many turnovers - and they still won! I can only hope their best is yet to come and they advance deep into March Madness. Congrats to the women's team.
I hope you tell the financial decision makers at OSU that Scott Rueck needs to be rewarded with a long term extension and raise that will keep him in Corvallis for a long long time. He deserves to be coach of the year for what he accomplished this season. We definitely don’t need to lose him to some deep pockets program somewhere else.
Rueck should be a high priority for Scott Barnes.
Nicely done ladies! What a great example of perseverance and grit in the face of stiff headwinds. Beaver Nation is proud.
Such a fun run.
But his father just bent a tee shot around a grove of redwood trees and scored a hole-in-one from 285 yards out.
A terrific metaphor. You bring human interest stories to a new level.
Thanks Mike. I was trying to think about how difficult it would be.
Yeah if I manage that its a complete accident but Scott intended it and was successful.
John, this is a great story after what Scott went through last spring. Any chance you could find out who of last year’s team that bailed have made the dance with their new teams?
Will be all over it.
TVO (USC), Gardiner (UCLA), Hunter (TCU) and Beers (Oklahoma) will make the tournament. Dom (Ky) is hurt and didn't play. Blacklock (TTU) won't; Hansford (ISU) probably will but she never plays anyway. I don't even know where Pietsch ended up.
Research, man. Well played and giving our man John a little backup. Well played, Charlie
Pietch is at UC Santa Barbara. She was getting minutes earlier in the year but that trailed off. Hansford scored 34 points in 314 minutes and shot .190 this year.
Well played, right at the old fingertips. Charlie
It would be interesting to hear Sydney Wiese's thoughts on the year, development of the players, and comparison to her team.
Way to GO BEAVS! (From a Go Cougs guy!)
Thanks for the comment.
Thanks John.
A few life lessons here.
Keep going - even when your only chance is to make it while on a high-wire act amid high winds.
Keep going - even when your only chance is to bend a tee shot around a grove of redwood trees and scored a hole-in-one from 285 yards out.
Keep going OSU.
Again, a Duck fan loudly cheering for the Beavs.
I am going with culture - 100%. There is nothing like it when it comes together. I have not really ever been a part of that magic in my career. I have had tight teams in sports and business, but I am no Scott Rueck. That is magic. There are only a handful of coaches in any sport at any level who can pull off what he just did. I said last year and I will say it again, Barnes better give Rueck a 20 year contract extension.