Syracuse Press Conference Transcript
Syracuse University Quotes
Press Conference – Thursday, May 22, 2008
Johnny Unitas Stadium
Syracuse Coach Gary Gait
Opening Statement:
“We are very excited to be here. The facility looks perfect. It’s a great facility for this event. We are excited, prepared and practiced up. We are just going to have some fun this weekend. That is what it’s all about.”
On how surprised that team was able to get to this point:
“From what I had heard before I even got there, they were good. They made it to the quarterfinals last year and I knew they had some talent. When I got a hold of them in the fall, I was very happy. I thought they had a lot of potential and ability to get this far. The biggest thing we are dealing with now is depth. But, I think we have a team that belongs here and has the talent. They are right where I expected them to be after working with them for a while.”
On preparing for Northwestern:
“We are just very fortunate this time we get a full week to prepare. I think last time we had two days to prepare and we had three games in six or seven days, so it was tough to do our homework and get fully prepared. It was a learning experience as a coach to go up against them last time having not seen much of them before. We’ve had time and have been able to look at past performances and hopefully make a lot of adjustments, which is a little unique for us. This is an opponent where you need to make adjustments. They scout well. They’re prepared. And if you go in there and just try to play your game, they have good athletes and they will come out on top. We are definitely focused on creating some changes and doing some different things to try and combat against what they are looking to do.”
On the importance of in-game adjustments:
“That is always going to be important. As a coach, you try to go through over and over again all the different scenarios you think can happen. And as a player, you mentally rehearse and prepare how you are going to react to that. It’s nice to have this week. We have been able to prepare this week unlike last time to react to what they could do differently.”
On how the season has changed since the first Northwestern meeting:
“I think it was the last opportunity we had to really re-focus on what we had to do and it set us up to be better prepared from that point on. I don’t think we’ve faced a team as talented as Northwestern since then, so that’s been nice as well. It definitely taught everyone a lesson that if you aren’t prepared and don’t execute and if you aren’t mentally comfortable, that’s the way the game is going to go. I know that our players don’t want to feel that again. As a staff, we’ve been working pretty hard to make sure they are relaxed. You hear them talk about being relaxed, and if they are tense and stiff, that is how they tend to make mistakes. We are going to go out there and have fun and focus on execution.”
Katie Rowan
On preparing for Friday night’s game and improvements the team has made:
“We are fortunate to have another shot at [Northwestern]. At that time, we didn’t have a lot of time to prepare, but now we have had a full week to watch film and get to know their players. We feel more prepared as to what we will do differently from the first game.”
On the comfort level of facing Northwestern a second time:
“I’ve been working a lot through the season to get better since the last game against Northwestern. I’m really excited to get another shot at it tomorrow.”
Bridget Looney
On difference of reaching semi-finals:
“We have been putting a lot of hard work in and making sure everyone is focused and on the same page. Coach brings out a relaxing mentality which helps the players not feel as anxious when we are on the field while facing new challenges.”
Kristin Brady
On the game:
“This game means a lot and I think everyone wants to get to the final four in their senior year and have the chance to win a national championship. I’m focused on the team and not the next week and how this is going to end. I think we are all focused on the game and it’s very exciting. I think we are very fortunate to be here.”
On her role on the team this year:
“I just try to help the team do everything I can. We try to do everything the coaches have taught us. I just think everyone on our offense is a threat and it’s great to play with a well balanced offense.”
Press Conference – Thursday, May 22, 2008
Johnny Unitas Stadium
Syracuse Coach Gary Gait
Opening Statement:
“We are very excited to be here. The facility looks perfect. It’s a great facility for this event. We are excited, prepared and practiced up. We are just going to have some fun this weekend. That is what it’s all about.”
On how surprised that team was able to get to this point:
“From what I had heard before I even got there, they were good. They made it to the quarterfinals last year and I knew they had some talent. When I got a hold of them in the fall, I was very happy. I thought they had a lot of potential and ability to get this far. The biggest thing we are dealing with now is depth. But, I think we have a team that belongs here and has the talent. They are right where I expected them to be after working with them for a while.”
On preparing for Northwestern:
“We are just very fortunate this time we get a full week to prepare. I think last time we had two days to prepare and we had three games in six or seven days, so it was tough to do our homework and get fully prepared. It was a learning experience as a coach to go up against them last time having not seen much of them before. We’ve had time and have been able to look at past performances and hopefully make a lot of adjustments, which is a little unique for us. This is an opponent where you need to make adjustments. They scout well. They’re prepared. And if you go in there and just try to play your game, they have good athletes and they will come out on top. We are definitely focused on creating some changes and doing some different things to try and combat against what they are looking to do.”
On the importance of in-game adjustments:
“That is always going to be important. As a coach, you try to go through over and over again all the different scenarios you think can happen. And as a player, you mentally rehearse and prepare how you are going to react to that. It’s nice to have this week. We have been able to prepare this week unlike last time to react to what they could do differently.”
On how the season has changed since the first Northwestern meeting:
“I think it was the last opportunity we had to really re-focus on what we had to do and it set us up to be better prepared from that point on. I don’t think we’ve faced a team as talented as Northwestern since then, so that’s been nice as well. It definitely taught everyone a lesson that if you aren’t prepared and don’t execute and if you aren’t mentally comfortable, that’s the way the game is going to go. I know that our players don’t want to feel that again. As a staff, we’ve been working pretty hard to make sure they are relaxed. You hear them talk about being relaxed, and if they are tense and stiff, that is how they tend to make mistakes. We are going to go out there and have fun and focus on execution.”
Katie Rowan
On preparing for Friday night’s game and improvements the team has made:
“We are fortunate to have another shot at [Northwestern]. At that time, we didn’t have a lot of time to prepare, but now we have had a full week to watch film and get to know their players. We feel more prepared as to what we will do differently from the first game.”
On the comfort level of facing Northwestern a second time:
“I’ve been working a lot through the season to get better since the last game against Northwestern. I’m really excited to get another shot at it tomorrow.”
Bridget Looney
On difference of reaching semi-finals:
“We have been putting a lot of hard work in and making sure everyone is focused and on the same page. Coach brings out a relaxing mentality which helps the players not feel as anxious when we are on the field while facing new challenges.”
Kristin Brady
On the game:
“This game means a lot and I think everyone wants to get to the final four in their senior year and have the chance to win a national championship. I’m focused on the team and not the next week and how this is going to end. I think we are all focused on the game and it’s very exciting. I think we are very fortunate to be here.”
On her role on the team this year:
“I just try to help the team do everything I can. We try to do everything the coaches have taught us. I just think everyone on our offense is a threat and it’s great to play with a well balanced offense.”
