Thank you, Lionel Chalmers.

[jhelmes37]

I really think we should all pitch in and get the L-Train a nice fruit basket.

Our inclusion into the new Big East is a dream come true. While we have had some real, sustained success in these past 30 years, I can't help but think back to the 2003-4 season. That was when we went from Cinderella to the beginnings of elite status. Up to that point, we had merely one Sweet 16 to our names. Since that year, we have had two Elite Eight seasons (04 and 08), 3 Sweet Sixteen seasons (09, 10, and 12), one Second Round season (07), two tourney appearances (first round losses- 06 and 11) and only one year of missing the Dance (05). Although this season seems likely we will miss as well. Not bad for a program whose entire season used to hinge on the Shootout.

And The Run would have never occurred without Mr. Chalmers. With a record of 10-9, he exploded in the locker room following a poor performance, demanding better effort from his teammates and igniting the fire needed to elevate the program's status to new heights. He set the precedent for what is now a veritable Xavier tradition- playing your BEST basketball during the final third of your last season at X.

Thank you, Mr. Chalmers. Others behind the scenes certainly had their roles in Xavier's ascension. But none on the basketball court were able to accomplish this until you put the team on your shoulders.

[BlueGuy]

Chalmers was a BEAST of a pg for the 2nd half of that season.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'm not sure another Xavier player has gone from being so disliked to so loved in such a short period of time.

[PMI]

I'm not sure another Xavier player has gone from being so disliked to so loved in such a short period of time.

This in spades. I remember how people used to absolutely rip on LC. I loved him even though he could be frustrating at times. But then he did something incredible. I don't say this lightly, I believe from the dayton game we played after that GW game on, he was the BEST guard in the country.

[paulxu]

Don't we have an unused scholarship?

[SixFig]

Truly.

They called it "The Run", meaning the run to the Elite Eight. Little did they know it was part of a larger run to the Big East.


And of course credit to all past coaches, players admins, and fans who BELIEVED!

[jhelmes37]

Who would have ever thought his little tirade would set off a chain-reaction the way it did? Maybe it would have happened anyways, but you could make the argument that if Lionel didn't have those stones and that "I ain't goin out like this" mentality, the Run wouldn't have occurred, and the sustained success over the better part of the decade wouldn't have materialized. And there's no way we end up in the BE with only 1 or 2 Sweet Sixteens.

I'm thinking something with various fruits, dipped in chocolate. Anybody have any other ideas?

[PMI]

Who would have ever thought his little tirade would set off a chain-reaction the way it did? Maybe it would have happened anyways, but you could make the argument that if Lionel didn't have those stones and that "I ain't goin out like this" mentality, the Run wouldn't have occurred, and the sustained success over the better part of the decade wouldn't have materialized. And there's no way we end up in the BE with only 1 or 2 Sweet Sixteens.

I'm thinking something with various fruits, dipped in chocolate. Anybody have any other ideas?

Maybe we can also send a basket of watermelons dipped in white chocolate to ud arena as a token of our appreciation for allowing us to settle in and make that bitch our home for four days.

[DoubleD86]

And of course credit to all past coaches, players admins, and fans who BELIEVED!

I want to add to this sentiment. This was a University wide achievement. Credit should be given to the past and present versions of our players, coaches, Athletic Department officials and staff, fans, administration, faculty and students/alumni. All played their part in getting the program to where it is today.

[ammtd34]

I was a freshman that year. What a great time to come in. My favorite Lionel memory (other than the UC step back), was at the end of a workout. The basketball team lifted at 6:00 AM and the soccer team lifted at 7:00. I went in at 6:45 to get ready. Chalmers had one set left and, though I'm not sure of the weight, had at least 300 lbs on the bar. He asked me for a spot. I said, "I'll spot you, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do if this goes wrong." He said it was alright, and finished the set with no problem.

Sato, by the way, would often lift with the soccer team. His arm workout consisted of starting with 25 lb dumbells and doing 20 curls. He'd then pick up the 35s and do the same. He continued up to the 120s, doing 20 at each increment. Then he'd go back down doing the same thing. It was insane.

[cowbeller]

I was a freshman that year. What a great time to come in. My favorite Lionel memory (other than the UC step back), was at the end of a workout. The basketball team lifted at 6:00 AM and the soccer team lifted at 7:00. I went in at 6:45 to get ready. Chalmers had one set left and, though I'm not sure of the weight, had at least 300 lbs on the bar. He asked me for a spot. I said, "I'll spot you, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do if this goes wrong." He said it was alright, and finished the set with no problem.

Sato, by the way, would often lift with the soccer team. His arm workout consisted of starting with 25 lb dumbells and doing 20 curls. He'd then pick up the 35s and do the same. He continued up to the 120s, doing 20 at each increment. Then he'd go back down doing the same thing. It was insane.

1. Brag on two grown men
2. Talk about a phantom 300lb bench press. I guess that's two 45s, a 25, a 10 and a 2 1/2?
3. Confuse barbells with dumb bells
Repeat bragging on grown men

Three reasons why male soccer should be banned immediately.