On December 21 our family was asked to attend the Indiana University Mens Basketball game against Florida Atlantic as the guest of Coach Tom Crean. Our visit to IU was on the day that we returned from Ayden's Atlanta Trip. The funny thing about this is that when we were in the airport in Atlanta the Florida Atlantic Basketball team was in the airport with us and we were able to talk with some of them. We found out about one week earlier that we were going to the game. A member of Hoosier Sports Nation an IU Basketball Forum that I belong to took the time to contact the IU mens basketball office about Ayden and long story short Coach Crean invited our family to the game on Dec 21, 2012.
The day got off to a little of a rough start we got back from Atlanta at 4am by the time that we reached our house. Since i had to take extra vacation days to go the appt I had to go to work on game day which did not allow us to make a full day of it in Bloomington. My wife was really sick and would not be able to make the game so Oakley took his best friend with us. It was his first game at Assembly Hall.
We got to the game and we were all so excited, Ayden could not wait to get to our seats. We had no idea where we would be sitting. Our seats were located in row 9 benind the basket near the IU bench. We were able to talk a little with the Zellers before the game, Oakley attends Distinxion Camp ran by Luke and Steve. It was so much fun to be so close to the action and for Oakley and Hunter to hear how much talking goes on during the game. Being a coach I tell them all the time that communication is the easiest way to make yourself a better player, but they could see it first hand. I cold not believe just how big and strong each player is, we were all amazed.
the game was not close very long as we all knew that would be the case. it was fun to see all the players being able to contribute. Ayden made his appearance be known when he and sissy were dancing and caught on the big screen. Ayden has an ability to be the center of attention every where we go and this was no different. He was on the big screen a lot that night. I received a text during the game from OGGY who saw us on the big screen. Also a very close friend of mine had seats way up in the balcony and saw us down there. The game was very fast paced and several dunks made all of us happy. At half time the kids waited in the tunnle to say hi to the players and coaches on their way out.. Ayd really likes Cody and Jordy and he yelled at them. As they ran off the court and gave some of the Bench Mob knucks.
Once the game was out of control and people began to leave seats on the floor became open. I told Oakley to take Ayden and go sit there were about 6 in a row. Always wanting to do the right thing he said no, he did not want to get in trouble and told to move. 2 minutes later 3 more seats opened up right across from the bench now there are like 9-10 seats available. A couple of kids go grab a seat and at this time Oakley and Ayden make there way to the chairs. (I bring this up because Ayden somehow seems to get most things that he wants he just has the smile and personality that people have a hard time saying no to. The first time that Cody came out of the game Ayden looks at me and says, "Dad I'm gonna go sit next to Cody on the Bench," He pronounces TODY so that makes it even cuter. He was seroius. all game he wants a seat in the chairs.) They are in the chairs for all of 2 minutes when security comes and kicks themout. Oakley is embarrassed and said I told you, and Ayden tells the guy my dad i said I could sit here.
When the game was over we went on the court took some pics and was hoping to talk to coach, but Ayden yelled to him but he was ushered off by security. We went to the Varsity Shop looked around and hung out in Assembly Hall for a while. Ayden was getting tired and we needed to eat so we left and headed back to Westport.
It was a great night and a great Christmas gift from HSN. Thank you all so much for caring about my little boy and for making his first game in the HALL so memorable. Thank you and GOD Bless and I know that I did not talk much about the game but the experience is what was important to us.
The day got off to a little of a rough start we got back from Atlanta at 4am by the time that we reached our house. Since i had to take extra vacation days to go the appt I had to go to work on game day which did not allow us to make a full day of it in Bloomington. My wife was really sick and would not be able to make the game so Oakley took his best friend with us. It was his first game at Assembly Hall.
We got to the game and we were all so excited, Ayden could not wait to get to our seats. We had no idea where we would be sitting. Our seats were located in row 9 benind the basket near the IU bench. We were able to talk a little with the Zellers before the game, Oakley attends Distinxion Camp ran by Luke and Steve. It was so much fun to be so close to the action and for Oakley and Hunter to hear how much talking goes on during the game. Being a coach I tell them all the time that communication is the easiest way to make yourself a better player, but they could see it first hand. I cold not believe just how big and strong each player is, we were all amazed.
the game was not close very long as we all knew that would be the case. it was fun to see all the players being able to contribute. Ayden made his appearance be known when he and sissy were dancing and caught on the big screen. Ayden has an ability to be the center of attention every where we go and this was no different. He was on the big screen a lot that night. I received a text during the game from OGGY who saw us on the big screen. Also a very close friend of mine had seats way up in the balcony and saw us down there. The game was very fast paced and several dunks made all of us happy. At half time the kids waited in the tunnle to say hi to the players and coaches on their way out.. Ayd really likes Cody and Jordy and he yelled at them. As they ran off the court and gave some of the Bench Mob knucks.
Once the game was out of control and people began to leave seats on the floor became open. I told Oakley to take Ayden and go sit there were about 6 in a row. Always wanting to do the right thing he said no, he did not want to get in trouble and told to move. 2 minutes later 3 more seats opened up right across from the bench now there are like 9-10 seats available. A couple of kids go grab a seat and at this time Oakley and Ayden make there way to the chairs. (I bring this up because Ayden somehow seems to get most things that he wants he just has the smile and personality that people have a hard time saying no to. The first time that Cody came out of the game Ayden looks at me and says, "Dad I'm gonna go sit next to Cody on the Bench," He pronounces TODY so that makes it even cuter. He was seroius. all game he wants a seat in the chairs.) They are in the chairs for all of 2 minutes when security comes and kicks themout. Oakley is embarrassed and said I told you, and Ayden tells the guy my dad i said I could sit here.
When the game was over we went on the court took some pics and was hoping to talk to coach, but Ayden yelled to him but he was ushered off by security. We went to the Varsity Shop looked around and hung out in Assembly Hall for a while. Ayden was getting tired and we needed to eat so we left and headed back to Westport.
It was a great night and a great Christmas gift from HSN. Thank you all so much for caring about my little boy and for making his first game in the HALL so memorable. Thank you and GOD Bless and I know that I did not talk much about the game but the experience is what was important to us.
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