The 2004-05 Ohio athletic seasons provided plenty of memorable moments to relive again and again around the proverbial water cooler.
This fall is going to top them all.
I know what you are thinking -you can't top Leon Williams' last-second tip-in, provide more thrills than the volleyball team's run to another Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament title, or even come close to rivaling the excitement of Solich fever after the announcement of his hire.
Yes, this fall season will.
While the big news is Frank Solich leading the Bobcats, bigger still will have to be the performances of returning quarterback Austen Everson, wide receiver Scott Mayle and an offensive line that surrendered 52 sacks last season.
And that's just the offense. On the other side of the ball, the defense will have to continue the success it generated during the 2004 season.
With talk of a few games landing national exposure on ESPN coupled with all of the Solich hype, the pressure to perform will only build for Ohio throughout the season.
With pressure comes the ability to create memories that will not easily be forgotten.
Of course, don't get focused entirely too much on Peden Stadium. The volleyball team is defending back-to-back MAC season and tournament titles and hasn't lost a MAC contest since Nov. 8, 2003, against Akron.
The Bobcats have been on a tear under coach Geoff Carlston. Since he took over the helm in 2003, Ohio has an overall record of 57-8, an astonishing 31-1 MAC record and the 'Cats have been perfect at home, 20-0.
Heck, the last time Ohio lost a volleyball game at home was Sept. 28, 2002! On top of all that, the team made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003 and found its way to the second round last season.
If the seats of The Convo are not full in 2005, we are all fools.
All of this, and I haven't even touched on coach Stacey Strauss' soccer club that was co-MAC regular season champs last year -not allowing a goal for a nine-game stretch in the process. The squad has the ability to do it all over again and then some.
Those who follow Ohio field hockey -a team with all the necessary ingredients for a successful season -will reap the benefits of new coach Neil Macmillan. Meanwhile, both the men's and women's cross country and golf teams have young stars ready and capable to step up and have breakout years and lead their team to MAC titles and beyond.
Seriously, Bobcat fans, this year has been pretty darn exciting, but it should only get better from here. Here's to next year, and see you in the fall, sports fans.
-Shugar is a sophomore journalism major and Post sports editor who plans to be in attendance at every Ohio athletic event in 2005-06. Send him gas money donations or an e-mail at ms314803@ohiou.edu.
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Mark Shugar
