Saturday, August 25, 2012
On the Road with the Butler Bulldogs
Earlier this year I got a nice break from political coverage and flew out to Indianapolis, Ind. to meet up with the Butler University men's basketball team for four days on the road in Ohio. The team was battling to make the NCAA tournament in the midst of a rocky season. Butler, as you may remember, made unprecedented back-to-back appearances in the NCAA National Championship Game in 2010 and 2011. Not bad for a school with an approximate enrollment of only 4700 students. I really enjoyed working with NYT Sports reporter Pete Thamel and after four days felt like a part of the team. Thanks to Head Coach Brad Stevens and all the players for giving us an inside look at life on the road for a college basketball team.
Constructed in 1928, Hinkle Fieldhouse (Left) is home to the Butler University Men's Basketball team and a source of pride for the team as evidenced by the design of their trophy case. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Freshman guard Andy Smeathers of Bargersville, Ind. boards the Butler University Men's Basketball team charter bus after landing in Youngstown, Ohio. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Junior center Andrew Smith of Indianapolis, Ind. does his finance homework in the lobby of the Hampton Inn where the Butler team was staying in Youngstown, Ohio on the morning of the Bulldogs' away game against Youngstown State. Student athletes must balance schoolwork and athletics while on the road with the basketball team. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
(L-R) Senior Ronald Nored and junior Emerson Kampen watch film of their previous games against Youngstown State in a meeting room of their Hampton Inn on the morning of Butler's away game against Youngstown State in Youngstown, Ohio on Thursday, February 9, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Senior Ronald Nored (right) has a spirited discussion with fellow senior Garrett Butcher about girls who are marriage material onboard Butler's charter bus enroute to Cleveland, Ohio for practice the day before their game against Cleveland State on Thursday, February 10, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
(L-R) Sophomore Chrishawn Hopkins and junior Roosevelt Jones lace up before practice in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday, February 10, 2012, the day before their game against Cleveland State. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
The Butler Bulldogs stretch at center court to wrap up practice in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday, February 10, 2012, the day before their game against Cleveland State. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler University Men's Basketball head coach Brad Stevens watches his players during practice at the Beeghly Center on the Campus of Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio before Butler's Thursday evening game against Youngstown State. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Senior guard Ronald Nored has stitches removed from his bottom lip after Butler's practice at Beeghly Center on the Campus of Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio before Butler's Thursday evening game against Youngstown State. Nored split his lip and cracked his right front tooth during Butler's home loss against Detroit Titans on Saturday, February 7, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Senior guard Ronald Nored's injured lip is seen on the morning of Butler's Thursday evening game against Youngstown State. Nored split his lip and cracked his right front tooth during Butler's home loss against Detroit Titans on Saturday, February 7, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler University Men's Basketball head coach Brad Stevens huddles with his players during practice at the Beeghly Center on the Campus of Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio before Butler's Thursday evening game against Youngstown State. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler players ate a big breakfast at their hotel before their away game against Cleveland State on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler Freshman guard Alexander Barlow looks for the visitors locker room backstage at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler Freshman guard Alexander Barlow looks for the visitors locker room backstage at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler University Men's Basketball head coach Brad Stevens congratulates his players in the visitors locker room after their 68-59 win against the Youngstown State Penguins in Youngstown, Ohio on Thursday, February 9, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler University Men's Basketball head coach Brad Stevens composes his thoughts before writing notes on a dry-erase board in the visitors locker room of the Beeghly Center on the Campus of Youngstown State in Youngstown, Ohio before Butler's game against Youngstown State on Thursday, February 9, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler senior forward Garrett Butcher walks through a curtain backstage to the visitors locker room before Butler's away game against Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler's starters bow their heads in a huddle just before tip-off against Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Senior guard Ronald Nored jumps up and down seconds before tip-off against Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Butler University Men's Basketball head coach Brad Stevens huddles with his team during the Bulldogs' away game against Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Butler won 52-49. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
The Butler University Bulldogs form a celebratory huddle in the visitors locker room after their 52-49 victory over Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
The Butler Bulldogs walk from their bus to a charter jet at Cleveland Hopkins airport in a snow storm before returning home to Indianapolis, Ind. after their mid-day away game victory over Cleveland State in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
Thanks for looking!
**Photos copyright Luke Sharrett and The New York Times**
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