AUS Championship at StFX

It is our privilege here at StFX to host the 2012 AUS Women's Basketball Championships!

We are looking forward to welcoming all of the teams from the AUS Conference as we compete to try to bring home a banner to our respective schools.

Everyone involved in organizing this event is hoping to see great crowds at every game this weekend. But especially to cheer on the Blue and White as we go for our first AUS Championship since 1997!

The Championship Schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 2, 2012

Game 1 - 6pm: Memorial University Seahawks (4) vs. StFX X-Women (5)

Game 2 - 8pm: Saint Mary's Huskeis (3) vs. Dalhousie Tigers (6)

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Game 3 - 6pm: Acadia Axewomen (1) vs. Winner of Game 1

Game 4 - 8pm: Cape Breton Capers (2) vs. Winner of Game 2

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Game 5 - 2pm - AUS CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4

See everyone at the OC!

2nd Half

Family. School. Basketball.

That is the list of priorities that I tell each one of my teams to stand by, and this past week, was when it became real for me.

I was incredibly eager to get the second half of the season going, and ready to start up practice anticipating the work we had done over the break. And then I found out that my best friend's mom had passed away, and without hesitation, I knew what I had to do.

Now maybe some of you might be asking, or perhaps wondering why this is such a big deal, but if that is the case, you just don't know how much my friend, Steve, means to me. He is more than just a friend, he is my brother. We have been through so much together, and he was always there for me, with no hesitation. A phone call. A drive in a snow storm. A hug. I knew what I had to do. I had to return the favour.

Since I consider Steve my brother, his mother, Sarah, was a like a second mother to me. I will always remember the time in my life, when things weren't going well, and I felt like the places I had to turn were too far away, or not quite what they used to be. And it was in this time that Sarah offered me a key to their house, and told me that I never had to call before I dropped in. These are the times when you realize how special some people are, and Sarah was definitely one of those people.

So now I am back, and still eager, and even more ready to fight. This time, with a little bit more perspective, and a lot of love still in my heart. You can never take for granted what you have, who you have, and what you can do by just the little things. But I am hopeful for many reasons, that this is a second half to remember, as the girls continue to improve, and are ready to Pound the Rock everyday.

Because at the end of the day, I still have that key to the Hale residence, and I know no matter what, that not just one family, but my second family will always be there for me.

1 more before AUS Competition

Well, it is crazy to say that we wrap up our pre-season play with the Waterloo Warriors this weekend on Sunday at 11am at the Oldand Centre before we officially open up our AUS Season with the CBU Capers on November 9th. Where has the time gone?

I guess we have played 8 games already, and we played 3 great games this past weekend in Moncton where we finished 1 and 2. We beat UPEI, lost to Laval and lost to Sask. All three games offered us new areas to look to improve. The 2 things that I thought I knew last post are somewhat holding up, although, just like with everything else, we need to get better.

The team has been practicing very hard this past week and are taking pride in trying to get better. We are such a new group of players, the hardest thing is for us to figure out who needs to do what when times are good and bad; during games and during practice. We have time, and I am confident that we will figure it out!

I am also excited for this weekend because there is so much going on here in Antigonish! First, my long time friend Steve is coming to town as he is in the Maritimes doing some job training (I guess I should make that sound cooler, because he is arms training for the Border Patrol!). Along with that, we host the AUS Rugby Championships at StFX, where the girls are going for their 14th straight AUS Title. Mike Cavannaugh, the Rugby coach, is one of the best coaches I have ever been around and is great to talk to about the in's and out's of coaching.

Further to that, the Men's Basketball Team is hosting their Annual Invitational tournament, where UPEI, SMU and CBU will be competing. Those games are Friday and Saturday at the OC at 6 and 8pm. Also on Saturday, the football team hosts Acadia in their last regular season game before playoffs. And finally, the men's and women's soccer teams host SMU on Sunday as their regular season winds down.

So with my buddy Steve in town, all the sports going on, our game on Sunday, practice, my attempt to find a Darth Vader costume for a 6'5" man, and pumpkin carving, it should be an amazing weekend!

Until then, its back to work and time to prepare!

I think I know 2 things...

I think I know 2 things about the 2011-2012 version of the X-Women:

1) I think that we will be fit.

The girls came into camp, and for the most part, were very fit and ready to go. I was happy, especially with the new players to our program. A lot of times, first year players come into training camp behind the 8 ball in terms of fitness and it takes them some time to catch up. Our testing also went very well. There were some impressive numbers put up for our max rep push-up and pull-up test including 21 pull-ups and 50 push-ups.

2) I think that we will be able to defend.

This is definitely a different group this year, and a different set of skills on the defensive end. I hope that our work ethic can carry over to the defensive end, and that we are able to finish off plays by rebounding. So far, we are working tremendously hard on that end, and putting in the work necessary to excel. However, this is just practice and we haven't played anyone for real yet.

Other than that, with there being new players in the mix, you never know what else you are going to get. I hope that we can build on those two things and that can help us in all other elements of the game. There is so much work to do on a daily basis, hopefully we can get better at a small number of things, excel at those and build our team's foundation before trying to do too much too soon.

I am excited about this group though. It's different, and that is what makes it so fun to go to practice everyday! I know that the conference is going to be incredibly tough this year, and we have a very tough schedule, so let's hope our foundations can take us somewhere.

And now, it's back to work...see everyone on the court!

It's Been a While...

Hopefully people still want to read this blog even though it has been a while since I have officially posted. I have been tweeting a lot, so make sure you remember to follow me @matt_skinn and @xwomenhoops!

This summer has been very eventful, and even though it has been the shortest since I have been here at X (and that is always a good thing!), I have gotten a lot accomplished.

The first thing to comment on is what I have been up to this off-season. I will get to the basketball side a little bit later, but as far as the recreation side of things, it has been a lot of fun! First of all, my coaching staff and my girlfriend went to the Final Four in Houston to watch Kemba Walker lead the UCONN Huskies to the National Championship. It was quite the experience to be a part of 85,000 people watching a basketball game, and a part of the biggest crowd to ever watch the Final Four.

From a coaching perspective, I have to say it was quite interesting to watch. The 3 Final Four games were split up by an NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks. What polar opposites in so many ways. Not only are the styles of play so completely different, but the atmosphere in both buildings as well. They didn't play one song over the loud speakers at Texans Stadium during the Final Four, just the bands played for hours straight. More importantly, I saw the power of Big Blue Nation and the Kentucky Wildcats. More than half the crowd was dressed in UK Blue the first night of games; obviously this dwindled for the final between UCONN and Butler.

I am not going to lie, but the NCAA games were ugly in a lot of ways. The best team to watch was easily VCU, and with the NBA game splitting things up, it is amazing what the 24 second shot clock can do to a game! As good as the coaching is at the Final Four, it was amazing to see that for all intent and purpose, the games were decided by on-ball screen offense and defense. UCONN did most of its damage when Shabazz Napier was at the one, dribbled the ball around for 20-25 seconds, and then got the ball to Kemba Walker outside the 3 point line at the top of the court or on the wing. He was able to create for himself and for his teammates off on-ball screens, and the result was a National Championship. He was just too quick for all any team to handle, and his ability to get into the paint, a long with the ability of Jeremy Lamb to hit shots was the difference offensively. UCONN's length was just way too much for Butler in the final as well. They could get nothing going in the paint, and had a hard time getting any positive movement toward the hoop.

The NCAA was just such a chess match compared to the NBA which is more free flowing, and every cut and pass on offense has a purpose. Sure, on-ball screens are also the most prevalent happening on offense as well, but to witness the talent and movement in person of the best players in the world is pretty great.

My last thought on my trip to Houston was that I went away comparing Butler to Carleton of the CIS. Sure Butler has not won a National Championship, but the comparison comes just in the way Brad Stevens has a specific offensive and defensive system, fits the right kind of players into it, and they are achieving success. Coach Dave Smart at Carleton didn't win National Championships right off the bat, and I think that Butler will be back. They are just so good defensively, and you can see it from the moment they step on the court for warm-up. They are constantly working on that end of the floor, and their communication is evident. I love defense so this makes me a big fan!

The summer also consisted of 3 weddings. The first was in Calgary for one of my girlfriend's close friends. The second was in Moncton, again for one of my girlfriend's former teammates. And lastly, the third wedding was in Winston Salem, North Carolina for one of my long time friends. He is now the Head Football coach at Christ School in North Carolina after playing football at Wake Forest, and playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Ti-Cats.

There were three things I will always remember about my trip to NC. First was the reunion of my group of friends that has been tight since probably grade 6. Matt Coccagna, Mark Moroz, Steve Hale and I have been like brothers for such a long time, and with us being all over the place now, it has been a rare occasion for all of us to be together. I was thrilled to be able to see them, and we even got a round of golf in together. Too many laughs, and thanks for the Cook Out recommendation fellas!

Secondly, I got to go to NYC. This was the second time I have been to the city, but the first time I have done the touristy part of Time Square, 7th Ave and the Fashion District. It was a cool experience even though it was 95 degrees amongst thousands and thousands of people! The only other time I have been to NYC I went to Harlem and to Rucker Park to watch the Entertainers Basketball Classic. Two completely different experiences that is for sure!

Lastly, on our way to Winston Salem, my girlfriend and I stopped in Durham, NC to stop at Duke University. For those people that know me really well, this was like visiting the Mother Land! The best part about visiting universities are that they are normally readily available for you to tour and access. Cameron Indoor Stadium was exactly what I hoped for, and I hope some day to be able to catch a game there!

Intertwined with all of my adventures, I have been steadfast in watching game tape, and preparing for the new season. We are integrating a new offense this year, so I have had to everything I can to know it inside and out, and have talked to other coaches who use the system, including the originators, to ensure that I can teach it as effectively as possible. My reasoning for the new system is that we are bringing in 7 new players this season, and it is a system I think I am going to keep for a while, so I thought this would be an opportune time. I am excited to see how certain returning players benefit from it, and to see how the new players take to it.

Speaking of excitement, it is crazy to think that our first practice is so close from today. Xavier basketball camps start on August 7th, with 10 of the X-Women players working as counsellors, and this is really the beginning of the season in a lot of ways. The only negative is that a few players are nursing some nagging injuries, but there is a long time until our first regular season game, and truly that is what matters!

Well I think that is everything for today! I am hoping to post minimum once a week from now until the end of the season. If you do read this, and I haven't posted in that time frame, email me and get on me about it! I will do my best to keep everyone updated, especially since my brother Andy and his wife Amanda are in Botswana for four months!

Take care...

Come on Canada, let's promote the good stuff!

I am not sure how many people read this blog, and quite frankly, I guess it doesn't matter. But I think that our country as a whole needs to do a better job of promoting the university sports rivalries that matter.

I have been lucky as an athlete and as a coach across Canada to be a part of a few of the best rivalries that I feel our CIS has to offer. As a player at CBU, I was a part of the great CBU-StFX rivalry. As an assistant coach at the University of Calgary, I was a part of the Battle of Alberta: Calgary vs. Alberta rivalry. And now, coaching at StFX, I am again a part of the StFX-CBU rivalry.

The one thing that continues to boggle my mind, is that there is no exposure to the rest of the country for these great games. It seems that there has to be a way to televise some of these great games and promote what is a sports rowdy nation! Wouldn't the exposure bring more to these games than already exists? Is it not possible that student-athletes at the secondary level could see these events and realize that there is more to life than just the NCAA? That the CIS boasts a great environment to play in as well?

I just think it is crazy, personally. This year, we played at CBU in front of an incredibly rawkus crowd of at least 2,000 clad in orange and bashing on instruments to the effect of zero on court communication, and wringing ear drums during post game. This past Wednesday, StFX hosted CBU in front of a packed gym dressed in all white, with a section of CBU fans in orange cheering against one another. At a few points during the game, security had to be used to hold the crowd back because of their uproarious reactions. But is there anything wrong with that?

I honestly believe this is one of the best products the CIS has to offer. Do people not want to see that this type of atmosphere exists and happens every year when CBU plays X on a Wednesday night? I don't think local cable is enough for these games, let's get this on national TV. Is there not a way to do it?

When I was in Calgary, the same went for our games vs. the Golden Bears. The gyms would be packed and the crowds would be absurdly loud. Standing room only in the Jack Simpson Gym means more than 3,000 people. Yes it does happen!

Here are some possible examples of games we should be promoting:

CBU vs. StFX

Calgary vs. Alberta

Ottawa vs. Carleton - Cross town rivalry and two great programs!

UQAM vs. McGill - Always two of the best teams in their conference in the same city!

Waterloo vs. Laurier - Anytime a rival school is down the street, there will be some intensity!

Regina vs. USask - 2 Universities in the same province

I am sure there are even more that I haven't mentioned, where no matter what the teams are like, people show up and cheer. Come on everyone, let's get on board and get this done for the love of our game, and for the betterment of our sport!

Vanessa Pickard joins X-Women for 2011

X-Women Basketball to welcome Riverview native Vanessa Pickard

ANTIGONISH, NS – StFX women’s basketball head coach Matt Skinn is pleased to announce that Riverview High School 5’11 guard Vanessa Pickard has committed to StFX University and will be joining the X-Women basketball program this fall.

“Vanessa's commitment to the X-Women Basketball program is a tribute to the hard work and dedication that the players have put in to excellence over the past two and a half seasons that I have been here,” comments Coach Skinn. “We are constantly striving to be a championship basketball program, and with Vanessa joining the fray, it definitely helps us in our attempt to achieve our goals.”

“Vanessa is the epitome of a student athlete. She excels in the classroom and on the court. She is a mature and driven person who is ready to take on university life and challenges. She is an extremely hard worker who has pushed herself to be the student and player that she is today. The program is ecstatic to have her, and we will do everything we can to push her to become the best player she can be.” says Skinn, who is currently in his third year as head coach of the X-Women.

Pickard competed for Canada's Cadette National team in 2009 and 2010 including a World Championship appearance. She competed at National Championships from 2007-2010 for Team New Brunswick at the U-15 and U-17 levels where she had a 5th place finish and she was named 2nd team All Star in 2010 in Toronto. In Vanessa’s three years at Riverview High School the school team has only lost three games and has won back to back New Brunswick 4A Provincial Championships in 2009 and 2010. Off the court Pickard is an honor roll student.

“I was impressed with the renowned academics at StFX along with the general atmosphere of the campus. The campus is a perfect size where everything is easily accessible,” comments Pickard. “I loved X from the first time that I visited in grade 11 so when it came down to my decision, there was no other university that I could see myself going to.

Pickard said the X-Women Basketball program was the best fit for her. “I love their high-tempo style of play. Their aggressive defense combined with their fast-pace offensive transition is exactly what I was looking for,” comments Vanessa. “I know that the program will challenge me and make me a better teammate and player. The girls are very skilled and I have a great deal of respect for the coach. I knew that this was the team I wanted to play for a National Championship with.”