Steph is an amazing player. She was an All-State player here in Indiana and on top of the heap here. But Lindenwood is different. Steph would share how much she had to learn and how bad she was in comparison to the other girls. She went from the top to the bottom, and has had to work hard (which she has) to work her way up. As a Freshman, I told her to prepare to ride the bench and earn her way, for as good as she was, she was bound to get better. She was a center here and one of the best in the state. She rarely lost a draw (what we in hockey would call a face-off) on top, but ironically, at Lindenwood she has never even taken a draw. She has been moved to defense…..and she has excelled in that role.

I expect she will probably play, if not start, but if not, it will all be in her future. As a coach I understand the concept of team and hard work. No one is above getting better, and in my experience as an ice hockey player, nothing was ever better for me to develop than to have to earn my way back up. It builds skill and character. It also builds a better team.

I have only ever missed one of Steph’s games, and it was when I had my stroke and was hospitalized. I coached every one of them since. But tonight I will just be hoping that the next three days sees them knocking off three of the best teams in the country. They WANT a National Championship, and those dreams are built on hard work and execution, one game at a time. I am so very proud to know she is going to be a part of that. She is no longer #81, but now #13….one of my old numbers ironically. And although I am many miles away, I am still her biggest fan……and I will be cheering them on via the live Twitter feed tonight as they play.

Go Lions!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!