National Champ Jacks take Cabs home? Are you kidding me?
When the Humboldt State softball team packed their bags and headed for Houston, I warned pitcher Lizzy Prescott to beware of the Texas heat.
But a funny thing happened. The Jacks seemed to take a piece of Arcata with them.
What do I mean?
Well, when the 2008 NCAA Division II Softball Championships began, the weather was a cool 70 degrees with overcast skies. I remember watching the NCAA live stream for the games leading up to the national title contest and the announcers repeatedly mentioned that the weather was un-Texas-like. While over here in Humboldt County, we enjoyed one of the best/worst -- depending on how you look at it -- heat waves the last couple of days.
However, once HSU claimed the national title -- a great achievement for a team that had to run through the West Regional loser's bracket to gain entrance into the Texas tournament -- they packed their bags and boarded a plane back to Humboldt County.
I was at the Eureka-Arcata Airport among several fans, family, friends and HSU faculty waiting patiently and anxiously to get a word in with the national champion Jacks. However, long before I got to the airport, I knew something was wrong. The weather in Arcata was fine. No clouds, brilliant blue sky. But the drive towards McKinleyville, where the airport was located, was filled with low clouds, which equaled a low ceiling, something that you don't want as a pilot.
Airport officials told members of the media in attendance on the tarmac that the flight had been diverted and the NCAA-chartered flight the Jacks were on had been diverted to Chico. A huge sigh was let out by the crowd as soon as they heard, and that's when the journalists got on their phones.
Word came out they were going to try and refuel and head to Murray Field in Eureka. No go. Overcast skies never let up.
I was texting HSU Sports Information Director Dan Pambianco after the Jacks couldn't touchdown in Humboldt County, trying to figure out what they were going to do to get home.
And then, I received a "driving home" message.
Cool. I thought the Jacks were able to get a bus, nope. Dead Wrong.
IInstead, the national champions were left to take taxi cabs back home. Something not very befitting of a champion is it? Ouch!
My wife and I ran into Geneva Perrine and Kristina Lewis at Toni's in Arcata at about 11:38 p.m. on Sunday night. Surprised to see them, my first remark was, "National champions taking a cab home huh?".
Lewis responded with a sarcastic, "Yep."
I understand the fact that the weather cannot be controlled and things don't always go as planned. And the NCAA probably had to scramble to figure out what the Jacks could do. But after winning a national title, you'd think the NCAA could provide them something better than some taxi cabs.
But thankfully, the Jacks got home safe, and in the end, that's what truly matters.
Comments
Who cares.......recruit some local talent....then let HC accept the team dont try to force out of town players down our throat Im not impressed. TS reports that these teams are such a local flavor and there not...the local mecca for softball (Hoopa Valley) doesnt even relate to HSU softball because they have no relationship to these out of town girls....Cheek try harder to get some HC girls and watch the fan base increase.
Posted by: tony | April 3, 2009 10:49 AM
Totally disagree, Tony. Cheek has tried to get local girls, but they all quit or are not willing to put in the time and effort to earn a spot. Hoopa girls? The Ferndale girl quit right before HSU went on a road trip. Consequently, the girl in front of her got injured, but the Ferndale girl didn't get her chance because she didn't even show up.
How's that for Ferndale class? And the Arcata/CR pitcher...can you think of a bigger headcase? Big arm but no control, with her pitches or her emotions. It's too bad, really.
Can you name me any that are eligible or that have been successful even at the JC level?
Cheek and HSU are doing a great job. It's the local talent that needs to step up!
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