Want to write to Alex? Click here to e-mail him.
The Farrer Files Part IV: The Dance Ends
Well … what can you say? It has been a great run and an even better time for the team. I just wish it didn’t end like this. I took a night off to gather my thoughts. Here’s what I brewed up.
We woke up in the morning and ate. Then we were off for a quick walk-through. I really didn’t sense any nerves, but just anticipation. The team was excited and at the same time confident. Coach Brady gave us a few tips on how to defend them and then it was back to the hotel. The hotel set up a light lunch just to hold us over until pre-game meal.
The day of games is mostly just laying around and watching movies. We try to get as much rest as we possibly can. Pre-game meal always comes about fpur hours before the game. This pre-game meal was the same as any other: chicken, lasagna, mashed potatoes, and good spirits. Once again, we head to the room for some more sleep. A lot of us watched the first half of the game before us.
An hour and a half before tip-off, we loaded the buses. The mood was mellow on the bus and nothing out of the ordinary. The team got to the arena and I got this vibe. It felt like I was in a holy place that I have always wanted to see, but never got the opportunity. Well, we were and ready for a battle. The team stayed in the locker room until we went onto the court. I have never seen so much excitement and people in one building in my life. The game started and I knew that something special was going to happen.
I don’t really need to explain the game. I might slip out a few curse words. Its so hard to explain the game of basketball. A team like ourselves can be playing so good and then all a sudden play awful. There is no specific problem or solution to the game. All you can do is tip your hat to UCLA and their coaching staff. Then pick yourself up and carry on to what lies ahead. Just ask Boston Red Sox fans how to do it because they have done it so many times. If you think about it, there are about three hundred Division I schools. That puts us in the top 4 out of 300. Not something you want to hang your head about. Plus all the memories and people/fans we have met and made along the way.
I would like to thank all the people for reading my diary. It was the first time I have done this, so thanks for bearing with it. I appreciate all the e-mails and the nice things you have said. Now it is back to work to get back where we just left.
Lastly, I want to thank Darrel Mitchell. He truly is a great basketball player but an even better person. His skills and personality have truly been something I admire. I want to wish him the best of luck in his next step and to know that he will always have a team of brothers, by his side.
Thanks again and I hope to see you all next year for some more memories!
March 31, 2006 — Gettin’ Prepped for the Biggest Dance
It’s the day before the big game. Everyone is filling up the ice chest with drinks and picking out their favorite chair in the living room. Teams are getting ready to have their lives change in a matter of 24 hours. It is March/April madness and no other team feels it more than the LSU Tigers.
The wake-up call Friday came in at 9 a.m., which is way too soon. Then again, what college student would not want to sleep in a little longer. Once again, the team had breakfast and a brief film session. We headed to Butler University for a light practice. We warmed up and ran some of our plays.
Coach (John) Treloar took over and he walked us through some of UCLA’s plays. Not many people know how much Coach Trelour means to this team. He works endlessly on breaking down film and scouting the opposing team. If there is a man that works harder than him in this profession then I would love to meet him. Coach Trelour is definitely a blessing to this team.
Practice ended and we had a great meal at the local McDonald’s. Next on tap on our busy schedule was a practice in the RCA Dome for the media. We got in the locker room and received gift bags from the NCAA. The team took the court and there were about 12,000 fans. It is such an unbelievable feeling to have kids screaming for your autograph and people watching your ever move.
Practice was just some dunking with the exemption of David Fleshman and Ben Voogd (who suffer from “white man can’t jump disease”). We also did some shooting drills and free throws. When we got to the locker rooms, it was soon filled with media all over the place. Glen was swarmed with cameras, and just being “Glen.” We finally got to leave the hype and go relax at the hotel.
Back at the hotel, everyone just relaxed and got ready for what lies ahead. I was lucky enough to catch one of the all-time great movies, “Rudy.” This movie almost squeezed a tear out of me, well maybe a few.
Dinner was the next stop for the team. We drove to a little restaurant in the suburbs of Indianapolis. The restaurant was your typical southern family dinner. Lots of great food but especially a ton of hospitality.
We were joined by the CBS crew who wanted to film for their pre-game show. After all of us were stuffed with plenty of ribs, beef, mashed potatoes, and macaroni, we decided to head back. We finally got back to the hotel and watched some more film. Also Ben and I got a chance to see our families — which is nice — because I have only seen them three times since the beginning of the year.
I only have a few suggestions: run your errands early, hire a babysitter, turn your phones off because LSU is going to make history and most of all, make you proud.
March 30, 2006 — Tag, You’re It! Let the Games Begin
Back for more on LSU’s march through the Final Four. The second day was a busy and productive day for the team. Even if there really is not much to do, someone will come up with the entertainment.
We started off the day with a breakfast at the hotel. Pancakes, potatoes, and grits are the usually on the table. Grits are a must for the team, which I’ve learned to enjoy. Coming from Arizona, I didn’t even know that grits existed.
The coaches put together a tape of the opposing team before we headed off to practice. Then we hit the buses for Conseco Fieldhouse for a tough practice. Today’s emphasis was getting our timing down and also keeping our legs in shape for the game. Coach Brady was in full effect today. If you can’t tell already, Coach Brady is an intense man.
Lunch was served as soon as we stepped off the bus. The food as usual was wonderful and delicious. During lunch, we sensed a little boredom. A few of us decided to get out of the hotel.
We decided to go play lazer tag. The whole team fit into the small hotel van and we were off. The teams were split up and the game began. The red team (Glen Davis, Tyrus Thomas, Chris Johnson, Jason Reed, David Fleshman, and I) embarrassed the green team. We won all three games, and, at one point, we were shooting each other just to make it fair.
Worst Lazer Tag Player: Glen Davis– halfway through the first game, the loud speaker goes “Davis has no kills”…. Plus, his size is such an easy target.
Best Lazer Tag Player: Chris Johnson – he hides into tiny cracks, because the gun is practically bigger than his thighs
The team got back just in time to take a quick shower and get ready to go to the Final Four banquet. Everyone was dressed in suits and ties. When we got to the banquet, I definitely knew we were the best dressed team out of the four.
Jim Nantz was the host for the event. He is a great host because nothing can throw him into a loss of words. There were a few special guests, Bill Walton, Billy Packer, and Peyton Manning to just name a few. They presented a film of how each team got to the Final Four.
Then the teams were presented and each player where given a watch. However, we gave them back which seemed odd, but supposedly we will get them back. The night was capped off with a talk with the coaches and a video of “One Shining Moment.” It was a great event for everyone and it really started to hit me that I was really at the Final Four.
The pressure is starting to build up for the game. The team is feeling the excitement and emotion. Two days before the biggest game in all of our lives. Let’s just hope that Glen plays a little better on Saturday then he did on the lazer tag field.
March 29, 2006 — Welcome to the Final Four
I would like to welcome you to the “Farrer Files.” You will be experiencing the Final Four through my eyes and ears. My name is Alex Farrer and I’m a redshirt freshman on the LSU men’s basketball team. A little background on myself, I came to LSU from Saint Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Ariz. I enjoy long walks on the beach and also appreciate mustaches. Now let’s get to the good stuff.
This season has set the standard for the next generation of the LSU men’s basketball program. This is our first Final Four in 20 years and possibly the first National Championship since 1935.
Since beating Texas in Atlanta on Saturday, the past few days have been crazy for the team. When we got home from the Elite Eight, there were about a thousand people there to greet us.
Two days later, the mayor of Baton Rouge (Kip Holden) and the Governor (Kathleen Blanco) spoke to us. Both of them were happy for our accomplishments and excited about what we are doing for the state of Louisiana.
None of us really know or understand how much of an impact we are having on Louisiana. To top it off, Rev. Jesse Jackson made a surprise visit yesterday.
Today was the last practice for the team in the PMAC (Pete Maravich Assembly Center) and also the day we leave for Indianapolis. The fans sent us off with a little pep rally, which reminded me of my high school days. It was a tight fit on the plane and a bit uncomfortable. Then again, there is no reason to complain, because of all the memories we are about to make this week.
We were again greeted by many fans at the hotel. Some of these “fans” seek autographs to sell, which makes it difficult to sort through to get to the kids and real fans. To cap the night off, we ate dinner and then went to our rooms.
Nothing much exciting goes on at night, but just sleeping. Don’t worry, no parties or pillow fights go on. Well, actually Darnell (Lazare) and Garrett (Temple) engaged in frequent pillow fights. We don’t ask questions, but just keep that between them.
That is all for tonight and hopefully I’ve kept your attention for one more day.