I decided to split this up from my usual Game Report format. The game is televised, so I'll be providing my observations in the normal Downpour format as a Game Report, but I figure the celebration will not be on the radio, nor televised, and that print media will only carry cursory descriptions. It's possible that a lot more will make it onto the STH DVD (if that's not reason enough to buy season tickets if you haven't already, I don't know what is), but meanwhile, you'll have to content yourself with what I'm able to piece together from rapidly-written notes (perhaps I should learn short-hand? ;)) written in the dark while trying to also watch the proceedings. :D
While waiting for the festivities to start, people continued to trickle in and bolster the initial rush of fans (who were loyally lined up outside Key Arena well before the doors opened at 10:30 AM). An announcement went out through the Arena after a while of sitting and chatting/waiting, and we looked up at the Arenavision to watch video of the rings arriving outside, driven up in a big, shiny, black SUV. A man in a suit got out of the back with two brief cases. It was an awesome touch, at least in my opinion. It's the little things, right? I was quite entertained already.
There was some other pre-game stuff that I'll detail in the regular edition of my Downpour (I apologize for the delay, but it was too nice a weekend to stay inside and type), but then the lights dimmed, we got the seasoning-opening commercial (which is pretty cool; I'm sure you can find it on You Tube) with a "Welcome to Championship Saturday" tacked onto the end. So far so good. 8-)
Karen Bryant took the mic and in an energetic and personal address welcomed us back saying, "We've missed you." She thanked Force 10 Hoops (big cheers; they're still rock stars to the fans). She thanked the fans and the sponsors, "You are our home court advantage." She said their employees were some of the most passionate, dedicated and talented around, and warmly thanked the staff. Then stated her intention to move on to the team, prompting another swell of cheers.
Note: A lot of what follows will be paraphrased, so I won't use quotation marks, except in specific circumstances, like when I'm sure of the quote, but I think you'll get the gist. ;) Also, if I'm short on descriptions as far as the setting, with the columns, the red carpet, etc., that's what the photos Scott and coconutmonkey, etc. are for, right? Just go over to Stormfans.org and click on the June 4 Game Topic thread: http://www.stormfans.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1307056473
Back to KB...first the players not with us. #5 Abby Bishop (too bad she couldn't have timed her Seattle visit a couple weeks ago to coincide with the ceremony). #7 Jana Vesela (prompting big cheers). #40 Alison Lacey. And #25 Svetlana Abrosimova (prompting the biggest cheers for players to date). After that interlude, KB moved on in fantastic MC fashion to tell us to give a warm Storm welcome to WNBA President Laurel Richie! She came in on the red carpet they'd rolled out, accompanied by swelling orchestral music dominated by horns and drums, followed by a spotlight.
President Richie said that she has to admit "they" warned her about the fans in Seattle, and how loud, crazy and passionate they are. Then she congratulated us and Force 10 Hoops, and called out the leadership of Karen Bryant and Coach Agler...? :D Anyway, her inflection and slight hesitation made it sound almost like a question, which amused me. By all accounts, though it's been official since April, she's only actually been in the position for around 3 weeks, so I guess I can forgive her for being a touch unsure about names. ;)
Then there was a montage on the Arenavision, that I believe is straight from the much-anticipated STH DVD (if the tag at the end reading "STH DVD Coming Soon a free gift to STH" was any indication). It featured the players talking about winning and the championship last year, reliving that final game. There was a hilariously inspired bit where they were talking about the final sequence where one Miller rebounded and passed out to the other on the wing for a final, unsuccessful 3-point attempt, and the players were all giving variations on the "what twin" statement. It was very Abbott and Costello, in a way. :) I can't wait to watch it again.
At this point Dawn Trudeau took over as the Ring part of the ceremony began. She introduced KB as the one constant through the Reign of the ABL (nice to have them remember that, and the fans were appreciative around me too), ownership change: CEO Karen Bryant! Karen came and accepted her ring, then she took care of announcing the staff as they emerged to collect their bling (I'm not 100% certain of all names because I'm clearly not a good storm fan :-[): equipment manager Danielle Yellam (?), athletic trainer Tom Spencer, Director of Basketball Operations Missy Beckett (2nd ring), Assistant Coach Jenny Boucek (2nd ring), Assistant Coach Nancy Darsch, and 2010 Coach of the Year Brian Agler! (big cheers).
They all posed for a photo. Then Coach Agler took the mic. I was really liking the hand-off. It kept the ceremony lively and allowed everyone to put a personal touch on it. 8-) So back to Brian, he took the microphone and said that he had one announcement to make: Storm fans are absolutely the best. He moved on to introduce the next player (after those not appearing in this film). He called her the glue since he's been here and promised that this year she'd be giving us even more by becoming the 2011 Most improved player: "A-rob, Ashley Robinson!"
A-rob greeted us, "Hi, my Storm crazies!" Then launched into her introduction of the next player, as a back-to-back champion, from an ACC nemesis, to a Western Conference nemesis, then she listed several nicknames, finishing, "I call her Coco!" L'Coe joins her at center court.
L'Coe continued, "Hey, Storm fans. Welcome back." She said it was her honor to introduce this defensive stopper, underestimated by some but not underappreciated: "#30 Tanisha Wright."
Tanisha introduced her closest friend, a constant force producing big rebounds and big plays, "From NORTH CAROLINA (she really got her announcer voice on here; it was great), Camille Little!"
Camille said that it was her honor of introducing this two-time national team Olympic gold medal winner, three-time WNBA champ, "The one and the only, Swin Cash!"
Swin had the pleasure of introducing "your 1st daughter" the best in the world, "aussie, aussie, aussie", to which the crowd of course enthusiastically responded "oi, oi, oi!"
LJ came out and thanked Swin and us for the introduction and reception. Then said it was her pleasure to introduce one of her closest friends and who she thinks in the best player in the world: Sue Bird.
Sue came out and started, "I have the honor of...talkin' to you guys." ;D Big laughs. She went on to talk about how it was a special year, and try to express what the loyal home crowd had meant to them during their historic run. She said what we all brought to them, the energy, the passion: "we felt". She said that there were times when they were running out on the court that she "got chills". She admitted to being apprehensive as a 21 year old, worried about being drafted to a team across the country (I think anyone who's watched the STH DVD covering 2004, or who has watched clips of the 2002 draft can see that look on her face, that mix of "it's neat to be #1 draft pick...but Seattle?"), but finished by saying it's been the best 10 years.
At this point they directed our attention to the rafters for the ceremonial unveiling. The announcer had us count down with him "5-4-3-2-1", then the black cloth came off the banners, and Queen's "We Are the Champions" played over the speakers as we cheered one more time for what we'd accomplished in 2010, before putting it behind us and focusing on 2011.
So there you go. A very special addition of Norwester's Downpour. ;) What did you notice that I missed? I thought that the ceremony was pitch-perfect. Good job, Storm organization. Loved it. XO
Now I'll finish typing up my game notes.
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