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>> female announcer: This is a

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production of WKNO, Memphis.

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Production funding for "Sports

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Files" is made possible in part

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by..

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>> Gaston: My guest today on

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"Sports Files" is the Head

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Baseball Coach of the University

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of Memphis Tigers, Daron

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Schoenrock.

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[instrumental music]

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♪♪♪

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>> Gaston: We normally don't

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think about America's pastime in

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early February, but believe it

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or not, the baseball season is

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upon us.

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At least it is for the

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collegiates.

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The Memphis Tigers will open the

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2013 campaign, their final one

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in Conference USA, a week from

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today at FedExPark.

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And when they do, skipper Daron

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Schoenrock will be manning the

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Memphis Dugout in his 9th season

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opener as Tigers Head Coach.

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"Coach Rock", as he's

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affectionately known, has been a

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pillar of stability for

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University of Memphis baseball.

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And while his 250 losses

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outnumber his 207 career wins at

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Memphis, "Rock" has picked up

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his share of big wins.

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In fact in 2007, in just his 3rd

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season on the job, the Tigers

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won 36 games and ended a 13 year

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post season drought as they made

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the NCAA Tournament field.

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Last season the Tigers won 31

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games and narrowly missed

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winning the Conference USA

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tournament championship, falling

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in the title game to UAB.

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And while criticism of the

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competition in the Conference

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can be made, and often is, about

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certain sports, it never is made

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about CUSA Baseball where the

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competition is always at a high

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level with several established

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national powers.

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In other words, Memphis has held

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it's own and Daron Schoenrock

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has been a major reason why.

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Today we'll not only look ahead

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to the 2013 Memphis Tigers

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Baseball season, but discuss the

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importance, with it not only

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being the swan song season

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before the Tigers head to the

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Big East, but also the

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celebration of 100 years of

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Memphis Baseball.

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We'll "rock" around the clock

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with the Top Cat of Tigers

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Baseball, Daron Schoenrock, next

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on "Sports Files."

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[instrumental music]

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♪♪♪

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>> Gaston: Rock, thank you so

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much for joining us.

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We appreciate it.

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>> Schoenrock: Thank you so

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much, Greg.

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Great to be here.

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>> Gaston: It's only February

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but we're already talking

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baseball.

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It's always good to talk

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baseball.

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>> Schoenrock: Well, anytime the

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sun comes out in February, I

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know it gets on a lot of

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people's minds.

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But we're going full speed now.

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>> Gaston: Yeah, it's been

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crazy.

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We had a 77 degree day.

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Then, you practiced then.

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Then, it was down to 32.

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So it changes real quick.

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>> Schoenrock: We told them we

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were getting ready for the

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conference tournament and for

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the opening season the same week

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is what we're doing, so..

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>> Gaston: Hey, big day

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tomorrow.

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South Campus at the Murphy

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Complex in the turf room, you

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guys are going to have a

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celebration, a banquet where

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you're celebrating 100 years of

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Memphis Tigers baseball, the

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centennial year.

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You're going to have some former

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players.

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It's going to be a nice little

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shindig.

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Tell everybody about what's

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going on tomorrow.

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>> Schoenrock: Well, you know we

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thought with the 100 year

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celebration lasting all year,

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this is a good time to try to

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corral all the former players

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that we can get a hold of and

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get them back for one evening to

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renew old ties and tell stories

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and just celebrate.

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And we've had different types of

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events and banquets each year

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with speakers coming in.

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And we're going to have some

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former players speak.

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And then along with Tom Bowen,

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our AD, is going to speak at the

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end.

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So, mostly just to celebrate

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what they've done to build

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Memphis and then mainly to let

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our current team look and see

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what a proud tradition this

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program has.

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>> Gaston: Give us a few names

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of the former players who are

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showing up.

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>> Schoenrock: Well, I know Mark

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Little, who's been down in the

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big leagues, we'll actually give

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him the mic for a little bit and

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talk.

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And the Mike Paxtons of the

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world, several of the big league

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guys.

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You know I've got Brent Dlugach

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on my staff as a student

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assistant now, former major

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leaguer.

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We've chosen a guy from

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different eras to come.

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Jeff Hopkins is going to speak a

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little bit.

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Allie Prescott's going to speak

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a little bit.

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Ben Grisham, who is my team

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captain on the '07 team, nephew

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of John Grisham, will speak a

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little bit.

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So, we'll get a variety of

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stories and things that the

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Tiger program did for them to

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put them where they are today.

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>> Gaston: It's a nice

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fundraiser, a nice fundraising

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event.

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And that's big for you.

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You've done a great job with

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fundraising.

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Very important when you're

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talking baseball as opposed to

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maybe a football or a basketball

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program.

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Baseball, you got to get out

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there.

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You got to dig deep.

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You got to find those backers

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and that's very important to

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you.

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>> Schoenrock: Very important.

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We've got kind of a little goal

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each year that we put money that

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we raise through any fundraising

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efforts back in to some

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significant upgrade of the

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stadium every year whether it's

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a new camera system, a new sound

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system, updating a batting cage,

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fixing something on the field.

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So we put the money back in to

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the facility to help the

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program.

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And again, mainly, and it's

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really helped us locate where a

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lot of former players are.

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We're expecting anywhere from

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195 to 240 former players, plus

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their spouses.

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So we could get up in to the 350

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range in total number.

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>> Gaston: The season starts a

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week from today.

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You open up against Illinois

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State at home.

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I assume you like what you're

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putting on the field.

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You like this roster.

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Tell us a little bit about it.

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>> Schoenrock: Very different.

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You know, in my tenure here,

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we've been a little bit more of

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an offensive oriented club.

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We've won games offensively.

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The pitching is always the

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hardest to build.

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You're always one guy short.

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There's always, you know, one

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injury can kind of set you back.

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This club is built a little

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differently.

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We lost the four real key

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ingredients to our offensive

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club last year in Jacob Wilson,

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Eli Hynes, Adam McClain and TJ

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Rich.

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And replacing those guys are

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guys that played a lot last year

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as freshmen and sophomores that

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have at bats under their belt

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that are a little different cut

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of players.

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The biggest change is the amount

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of pitching depth.

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This is the deepest we've been

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on the mound as far as quality

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numbers, you know, one through

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twelve that can go out and

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function in a Conference USA

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game and we can actually build a

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true bullpen now.

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We've got a potentially building

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a maybe an all left-handed weak

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end rotation.

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We've got some interesting

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dynamics with this pitching

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staff that, you know, just

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looking back at the pro scouts

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and what they come out and see

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in the fall, there's a lot of

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guys getting a lot of attention

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now on our pitching staff which

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is a really good thing.

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>> Gaston: Twenty returning

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letter winners.

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Seven were started from a season

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ago, including a couple of

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pitchers.

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You got 12 pitchers back.

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Eleven newcomers.

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This is a team last year that

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went to the championship game,

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as you know, in Conference USA.

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Lost to UAB in the finals.

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So, that close to getting back

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to the NCAA tournament.

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And now you've added, as I've

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mentioned, 11 newcomers and have

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those quality pitchers back.

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So, you got to feel pretty good.

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>> Schoenrock: Feel really good.

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You know, we've got on a pretty

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good role waiting year.

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We had our struggles early.

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We had about four freshmen that

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were sprinkled in the line up

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that were getting their feet wet

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for the first time.

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And the last month of the

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season, they started going a

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little bit.

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And they added to what the

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seniors were doing.

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And we made a nice little run in

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the tournament and fell a game

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short.

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Those guys are back with a

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little different taste in their

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mouth now.

291
00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,000
They've been there.

292
00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:38,000
I think that's huge.

293
00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,000
This offensive team, this line-

294
00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:41,000
up were going to put on the

295
00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,000
field, we'll actually have this

296
00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:44,000
line-up together for two years.

297
00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,000
So, we won't lose any guy that

298
00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,000
will start opening weekend.

299
00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:49,000
They're all sophomores or

300
00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,000
freshmen.

301
00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,000
But the pitching being elevated

302
00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:53,000
gives us something to kind of

303
00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,000
hang out hat on early until this

304
00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:56,000
offense can get going.

305
00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,000
>> Gaston: Well, your ace, I

306
00:07:58,000 --> 00:07:59,000
assume, is Sam Moll.

307
00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,000
Last year, five an five.

308
00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,000
ERA under three and a half to

309
00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,000
three four eighty with second

310
00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,000
team all conference.

311
00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,000
He's a first team, pre season,

312
00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:07,000
all-conference selection.

313
00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:08,000
How pivotal is Sam Moll?

314
00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,000
>> Schoenrock: Huge and Sam has

315
00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,000
elevated what he can do and who

316
00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:13,000
he is and how he thinks and

317
00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,000
everything about his game now.

318
00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,000
He's a lot different level.

319
00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,000
And Fred Corral, my pitching

320
00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:19,000
coach, has done a tremendous job

321
00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,000
just elevating the mentality.

322
00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,000
He had a very good summer up in

323
00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:24,000
the Cape and they get valuable

324
00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:25,000
experience there.

325
00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,000
They come back different that

326
00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,000
they've been around, you know, a

327
00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:30,000
lot of first round pick.

328
00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,000
They've been around and seen how

329
00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:33,000
guys operate.

330
00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:34,000
Had a great fall.

331
00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:35,000
Picked right back up this spring

332
00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:37,000
where he left off in the fall.

333
00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,000
And he'll be our bell cow.

334
00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:40,000
You know, and then the next

335
00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,000
thing is to decide is he your

336
00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:43,000
Friday guy or Saturday guy.

337
00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,000
How you use him sometimes could

338
00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:46,000
depend on match ups and some

339
00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:47,000
other guys.

340
00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,000
But he's the guy coming back

341
00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:50,000
that the teams going to look to

342
00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,000
that has been there and done

343
00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:53,000
that but has also probably

344
00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:54,000
elevated what he can do.

345
00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,000
>> Gaston: Looking at the

346
00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,000
schedule for this season, once

347
00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,000
again, you'll play Ole Miss and

348
00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,000
Mississippi State at Autozone

349
00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,000
Park.

350
00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:03,000
Everything else, the home games

351
00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,000
are at FedEx park, including a

352
00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:06,000
series with Missouri.

353
00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,000
It's the first SEC team that you

354
00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:09,000
will host for a series since

355
00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,000
Tennessee back in '81.

356
00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:12,000
Now, you play teams for a single

357
00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,000
game but this is a full series

358
00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:15,000
with a newcomer to the SEC,

359
00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:16,000
Missouri.

360
00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,000
You got to feel pretty good

361
00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:19,000
about being able to host this

362
00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:20,000
team at FedEx park.

363
00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,000
>> Schoenrock: There's some very

364
00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,000
strategic things put on our

365
00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:25,000
schedule to help RPI.

366
00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,000
This is one of them.

367
00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,000
We went up to Missouri last year

368
00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,000
and played them a three game

369
00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:30,000
series there.

370
00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,000
So, it's a return trip and it's

371
00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:33,000
huge.

372
00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:34,000
We scheduled the series,

373
00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,000
actually, before they became an

374
00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:37,000
SEC member.

375
00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:38,000
And then talking to Coach

376
00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,000
Jamieson when they did join the

377
00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:41,000
SEC, he wanted to keep the

378
00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:42,000
series intact.

379
00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:43,000
So, I'm thankful for that.

380
00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,000
There's a lot of RPI elevation

381
00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:47,000
type things on that schedule.

382
00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,000
Kent State coming to town for a

383
00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:49,000
series.

384
00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,000
You know, and Omaha participant

385
00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:52,000
last year.

386
00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,000
Of course, they're our normal

387
00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:55,000
conference.

388
00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:56,000
So, we have opportunities.

389
00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,000
And we talk to our guys about

390
00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,000
this year.

391
00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:00,000
I think the focal point-We've

392
00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,000
held our own on the weekends,

393
00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:03,000
the Conference USA slate.

394
00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:04,000
Where we've come up short

395
00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:06,000
possibly is taking care of

396
00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:07,000
business in what they call mid-

397
00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,000
week games in baseball.

398
00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:10,000
And that's a lot of the regional

399
00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:11,000
type opponents.

400
00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,000
And that usually involves

401
00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,000
pitching depth.

402
00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:15,000
And we have an opportunity now

403
00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,000
to treat everyday unique and say

404
00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:18,000
today is the game.

405
00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,000
You know, Josh Pastner talks

406
00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,000
about it a lot in basketball is

407
00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,000
whatever lies ahead, this is the

408
00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:24,000
game that's important.

409
00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,000
Having the chance to do that in

410
00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,000
baseball, a lot of teams make or

411
00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,000
break themselves in what they do

412
00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:31,000
on Tuesday and Wednesday.

413
00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,000
We've got the weekend rotation

414
00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:34,000
intact.

415
00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:35,000
Now, we've got to use this

416
00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:37,000
pitching staff to build a tact,

417
00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,000
Ole Miss, Mississippi State, all

418
00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,000
the mid week opponents in a

419
00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,000
different matter.

420
00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:43,000
>> Gaston: Unlike, you mentioned

421
00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:44,000
Josh Pastner and basketball

422
00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:45,000
hurt.

423
00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:46,000
I'll go out and say it.

424
00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,000
So, don't get mad Conference USA

425
00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:49,000
supporters.

426
00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:50,000
But they're hurt by playing

427
00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,000
Conference USA opponents.

428
00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:53,000
Certainly for all these years,

429
00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,000
it enhanced your schedule

430
00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:56,000
because of the powers in

431
00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:57,000
Conference USA led by Tulane.

432
00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,000
You're picked to finish sixth

433
00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:00,000
this season.

434
00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,000
Same bell cows picked to win

435
00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:03,000
this thing?

436
00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:04,000
>> Schoenrock: Well, you still

437
00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:06,000
have Rice and Central Florida

438
00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:07,000
and East Carolina and Southern

439
00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:08,000
Miss and Tulane.

440
00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,000
You know, those are schools that

441
00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,000
three of those have been to

442
00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:13,000
Omaha.

443
00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:14,000
Three of those have been through

444
00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,000
our equivalent of the final four

445
00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:17,000
in my tenure here.

446
00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:18,000
So, you're in some talk.

447
00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,000
Usually, it evolves or revolves

448
00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:21,000
around pitching depth.

449
00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,000
And I think the league this year

450
00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:24,000
will be very strong on the

451
00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,000
mound.

452
00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,000
Obviously, Rice is always the

453
00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:29,000
program in our league that kind

454
00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:30,000
of gets the first attention.

455
00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:31,000
How's Rice going to be?

456
00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:33,000
They're going to be a typical

457
00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:34,000
Rice.

458
00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,000
They're going to be dominant on

459
00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:37,000
the mound.

460
00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:38,000
You've got to play perfect to

461
00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,000
beat them.

462
00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,000
You know, we had a big win

463
00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:42,000
against them in a conference

464
00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:43,000
tournament last year that

465
00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,000
propelled us to the championship

466
00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:46,000
game.

467
00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:48,000
We have actually played very

468
00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,000
well against them.

469
00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:50,000
Tulane has really made

470
00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,000
resurgence, you know, since

471
00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:52,000
Katrina.

472
00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,000
Their depth has been hurt a

473
00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,000
little bit.

474
00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:56,000
Their numbers, their enrollment-

475
00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,000
They weren't getting the quality

476
00:11:58,000 --> 00:11:59,000
depth walk on.

477
00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,000
They've built that back up now.

478
00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,000
>> Gaston: Well, let me ask you

479
00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:04,000
this.

480
00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,000
We know they're a quality

481
00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,000
program.

482
00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,000
We know there are some in the

483
00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,000
Big East.

484
00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:10,000
But it's going to be different.

485
00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,000
Can you give us a thought about

486
00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:13,000
moving in to the Big East?

487
00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:15,000
>> Schoenrock: Okay, we're

488
00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:16,000
leaving a league that's

489
00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:17,000
typically a four or five bid

490
00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,000
league in good years.

491
00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:20,000
Bad years, it's a three bid

492
00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:21,000
league at worst.

493
00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,000
The Big East on their good years

494
00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:24,000
have been a three bid league.

495
00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,000
So that means that they're just

496
00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:27,000
not the depth in the league.

497
00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,000
Now, the top to win the league,

498
00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:31,000
you've still got to go through

499
00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:32,000
some very good programs.

500
00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,000
You know, Louisville's been to

501
00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:35,000
the College World Series.

502
00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:37,000
Saint Johns has been in Super

503
00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:38,000
Regionals.

504
00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:39,000
UConn has been in Super

505
00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:40,000
Regionals.

506
00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:41,000
So, there's programs at the top

507
00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:43,000
that have been very good.

508
00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:44,000
But top to bottom, it's not as

509
00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:46,000
closely matched as the league

510
00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:47,000
we're in now.

511
00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:48,000
It will be an interesting

512
00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:49,000
culture.

513
00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,000
You know, from what they say,

514
00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:52,000
there's big arms.

515
00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:53,000
Their position player teams

516
00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,000
aren't quite as athletic.

517
00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:56,000
There's some differences.

518
00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,000
But, you know, I'm looking

519
00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,000
forward to what it does for our

520
00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:01,000
athletic department, one.

521
00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:02,000
And two, a change.

522
00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:03,000
A change is good.

523
00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:04,000
Different is good.

524
00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:05,000
Taking our guys to New York to

525
00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:07,000
play Saint Johns will be good.

526
00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:08,000
Going to Connecticut, you know,

527
00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,000
there will be some cultural

528
00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,000
things that are really good for

529
00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,000
development of the whole person.

530
00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,000
Half my locker room's never been

531
00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:16,000
to New York City.

532
00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:18,000
And they'll get to experience it

533
00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:19,000
next year.

534
00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:20,000
>> Gaston: Culture shock-two

535
00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:21,000
words for ya.

536
00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,000
I've be remised if I didn't ask

537
00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:25,000
you about Eric, your son.

538
00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:26,000
What's it like to coach this

539
00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:27,000
young pitcher who's done a

540
00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:28,000
phenomenal job?

541
00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:30,000
>> Schoenrock: Well, you know,

542
00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,000
he came in.

543
00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,000
He had a lot of options out of

544
00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:34,000
high school.

545
00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:35,000
It was a unique thing.

546
00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,000
I got out of the way and let my

547
00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:38,000
assistants recruit him.

548
00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,000
And he made a lot of visits and

549
00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,000
decided on his own to attend

550
00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,000
Memphis and, you know, play a

551
00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:44,000
very small role as a freshman,

552
00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,000
as a lot of freshman do.

553
00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,000
Had a good summer after his

554
00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,000
freshman year.

555
00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:49,000
Came back last year, sophomore

556
00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,000
year, much different pitcher.

557
00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,000
Had a pretty serious back injury

558
00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:54,000
that sidelined him for about

559
00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:55,000
half the season.

560
00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,000
So, didn't really come like we

561
00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:59,000
thought it would it would last

562
00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:00,000
year.

563
00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,000
Went to the Cape Cod league this

564
00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:03,000
summer and really improved and

565
00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,000
elevated and had a tremendous

566
00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:06,000
fall.

567
00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,000
Now, he's found himself

568
00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,000
somewhere in the midst of being

569
00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,000
our starting weekend rotation.

570
00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,000
So, he's gone from relative

571
00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:13,000
obscurity to probably on a lot

572
00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,000
of draft lists, as Sam has, as

573
00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,000
Jonathan Van Eaton.

574
00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:17,000
Our closer's on some draft

575
00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:18,000
lists.

576
00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,000
We have two or three junior

577
00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,000
college guys.

578
00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:22,000
It's neat to see the transition.

579
00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,000
I have not been involved in the

580
00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,000
daily individual grind and

581
00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,000
bullpens and the plan.

582
00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,000
I leave that to my assistant

583
00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:29,000
coaches.

584
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,000
And Coach Corral and Eric have

585
00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,000
bonded very well.

586
00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:33,000
And he's got strike out

587
00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:34,000
capabilities.

588
00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:36,000
So, could be a unique rotation.

589
00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:37,000
Could be an all left-handed

590
00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:38,000
rotation.

591
00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:40,000
We've got a junior college

592
00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:41,000
pitcher named Alex Gunn that

593
00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,000
will factor in as possibly a

594
00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:44,000
Sunday starter.

595
00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:45,000
That can kind of throw an

596
00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,000
opposing coach in to a

597
00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:47,000
whirlwind.

598
00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:48,000
>> Gaston: Sure can.

599
00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,000
(laughter)

600
00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,000
Keeps them on their toes, if

601
00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:52,000
anything.

602
00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:53,000
Make sure you go to gotigersgo-

603
00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,000
dot-com to check out the

604
00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:56,000
schedule.

605
00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:57,000
But again, a week from today

606
00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,000
against Illinois State is when

607
00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:00,000
it all starts.

608
00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:01,000
Memphis plays a very rugged

609
00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,000
schedule, non conference and of

610
00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:04,000
course in conference.

611
00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,000
Rock, we like to do this with

612
00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:07,000
all our guests.

613
00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,000
We end our interview with five

614
00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:09,000
for the road.

615
00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,000
I give you five questions.

616
00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:12,000
Quick answers, first thing that

617
00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:13,000
comes to mind.

618
00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:14,000
Ready?

619
00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,000
>> Schoenrock: Ready.

620
00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,000
>> Gaston: Your favorite

621
00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:18,000
professional team of all time in

622
00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:19,000
any sport.

623
00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,000
>> Schoenrock: Of all time and

624
00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,000
any sport, I would probably have

625
00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:24,000
to say the Atlanta Braves and

626
00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,000
I'll say a series of teams when

627
00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,000
they were going with Maddux,

628
00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:29,000
Galvine, Smoltz and Avery.

629
00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:30,000
That pitching staff-Being a

630
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:32,000
former pitching coach, that was

631
00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:33,000
a lot of fun to watch.

632
00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,000
>> Gaston: Imagine you were a

633
00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:36,000
big fan of Bobby Cox.

634
00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:37,000
Professional athlete-your

635
00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:39,000
favorite professional athlete of

636
00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:40,000
all time.

637
00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:42,000
>> Schoenrock: You know, I had

638
00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:43,000
the opportunity, Greg, as a

639
00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,000
volunteer coach in the Chicago

640
00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:47,000
White Sox organization in '94 to

641
00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:48,000
work with the Birmingham Barons

642
00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,000
when Michael Jordan played.

643
00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:51,000
And wasn't a huge Michael Jordan

644
00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,000
fan one way or the other before

645
00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:54,000
that.

646
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,000
I got to see it up close and

647
00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:57,000
personal.

648
00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:58,000
And I say this about it.

649
00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:00,000
Spending everyday with Michael,

650
00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:01,000
throwing batting practice to

651
00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,000
him, the hardest working athlete

652
00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:04,000
that I've ever been around.

653
00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,000
>> Gaston: Playing chess, he

654
00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,000
would be competitive.

655
00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:08,000
Real quick, final three.

656
00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:09,000
Favorite music.

657
00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:11,000
What do you like to listen to?

658
00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:12,000
You got a group, a band?

659
00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:13,000
>> Schoenrock: Eagles.

660
00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,000
I am old Eagles guy, retro.

661
00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,000
>> Gaston: Favorite movie of all

662
00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:18,000
time?

663
00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,000
>> Schoenrock: Gotta say I'm a

664
00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,000
big fan of Hoosiers and the

665
00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:22,000
impact that that guy, that coach

666
00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:24,000
has on the team dynamic.

667
00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:25,000
>> Gaston: Surprised you went

668
00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,000
with basketball instead of a

669
00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:28,000
baseball movie.

670
00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:29,000
>> Schoenrock: Well, I spent

671
00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,000
sometime coaching at Kentucky,

672
00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:32,000
too, so I got a little

673
00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:33,000
basketball in me.

674
00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:34,000
>> Gaston: Absolutely, and

675
00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,000
finally, favorite television

676
00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:37,000
show.

677
00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:39,000
What do you like to watch when

678
00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:40,000
you're unwinding from baseball?

679
00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,000
>> Schoenrock: Tough-"Sports

680
00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:43,000
Files with Greg Gaston."

681
00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:44,000
How about that?

682
00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:45,000
>> Gaston: How about that?

683
00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,000
Our producer, David George, says

684
00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:48,000
bingo!

685
00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,000
That's two weeks in a row that

686
00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:51,000
our guest ahs said that.

687
00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,000
>> Schoenrock: And I didn't even

688
00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:54,000
see last week's show.

689
00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:55,000
So, there!

690
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:56,000
>> Schoenrock: Right on cue.

691
00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,000
Hey, Rock, thank you so much.

692
00:16:58,000 --> 00:16:59,000
Always a pleasure.

693
00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:00,000
Best of luck to you.

694
00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,000
Enjoy the celebration tomorrow

695
00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:03,000
of 100 years and we'll be

696
00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,000
celebrating it all year long

697
00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:06,000
with the Tigers, their 100th

698
00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:07,000
year of playing baseball.

699
00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:08,000
Take a break.

700
00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,000
Come back with Overtime right

701
00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,000
after this.

702
00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:33,000
[instrumental music]

703
00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:38,000
♪♪♪

704
00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,000
>> Gaston: I can't imagine that

705
00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:41,000
starting a company from scratch

706
00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:42,000
is an easy task.

707
00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:44,000
So much goes into the process.

708
00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,000
The time, energy, financial

709
00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:47,000
commitment is just the tip of

710
00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,000
the iceberg because sustaining a

711
00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:51,000
new product is even tougher than

712
00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:52,000
initially getting it off the

713
00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:53,000
ground.

714
00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:55,000
Nick Harmeier is the President

715
00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,000
of V3 fights, an Amateur Mixed

716
00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:58,000
Martial Arts company that began

717
00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,000
in Memphis and is now branching

718
00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,000
out to Nashville.

719
00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:03,000
In fact V3 will put on a show in

720
00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,000
Nashville a week from Tomorrow.

721
00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:06,000
V3 is one of the fastest growing

722
00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,000
MMA companies in the nation.

723
00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,000
The show's production is

724
00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,000
impressive, leading to a deal to

725
00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:13,000
air it's product on regional

726
00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:14,000
network CSS, with hopes to go

727
00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,000
National in the near future.

728
00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:17,000
Fighters from all over the

729
00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,000
Southeast are catching wind of

730
00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:20,000
the quality of V3 and are

731
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:22,000
seeking out opportunities to be

732
00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:23,000
a part of a V3 fight card.

733
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,000
I recently had a chance to chat

734
00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,000
with Nick about the origin of V3

735
00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:28,000
and plans for the future.

736
00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:30,000
Just a word of caution to you

737
00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:31,000
parents, some of the footage in

738
00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:33,000
this piece may not be suitable

739
00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,000
for young children.

740
00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,000
>> Gaston: Well, Nick, thanks

741
00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:39,000
for being with us.

742
00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:40,000
How did V3 start?

743
00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:41,000
>> Harmeier: Well, it started

744
00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:42,000
off.

745
00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:43,000
You know I did a little

746
00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:45,000
promoting and stuff when I was

747
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:47,000
back in college with parties and

748
00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,000
everything.

749
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,000
And I'd worked with FedEx Forum

750
00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:51,000
on their initiative with

751
00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:52,000
legalizing MMA in Tennessee to

752
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:53,000
bring in UFC fights.

753
00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,000
And I saw an opportunity for it.

754
00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:56,000
So, I jumped right in to it.

755
00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,000
And we started doing V3 fights.

756
00:18:58,000 --> 00:18:59,000
>> Gaston: Are you surprised at

757
00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,000
how much it has grown in such a

758
00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:02,000
short time?

759
00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:03,000
>> Harmeier: Not at all.

760
00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:05,000
I mean, out west, it's really

761
00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:06,000
taken off really well.

762
00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:07,000
It's taken off in a ton of

763
00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:08,000
different countries, also.

764
00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:10,000
So, Memphis with it's strong

765
00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,000
wrestling background in general,

766
00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:13,000
you know, from Monday night

767
00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:14,000
wrestling with Jerry King.

768
00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,000
I knew that this city loves that

769
00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:17,000
action.

770
00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,000
And it produces some of the best

771
00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:20,000
fighters really in the country.

772
00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:21,000
So, it works out well.

773
00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,000
>> Gaston: yeah, Jerry Lawler,

774
00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:24,000
the King.

775
00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:25,000
Well, did you expect to have

776
00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,000
this plethora of talent that you

777
00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:28,000
have assembled?

778
00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:29,000
And not only are you getting

779
00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:31,000
fighters from Tennessee, but

780
00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:32,000
nearby Arkansas, Mississippi,

781
00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:34,000
Alabama, and Missouri.

782
00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:35,000
But did you expect this part of

783
00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,000
the country to have this many

784
00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,000
young impressive fighters?

785
00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,000
>> Harmeier: I didn't expect it

786
00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:41,000
to take off this quickly with

787
00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:42,000
the fighters.

788
00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:43,000
I knew that we were going to

789
00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,000
have to build them a little bit

790
00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,000
and get good strong fighters and

791
00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:48,000
kind of get everyone kind of up

792
00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,000
speed with it.

793
00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:51,000
I mean, you go in Memphis right

794
00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:53,000
now and everyone's, you know, a

795
00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:54,000
ton of great basketball players.

796
00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,000
But now you grab some of these

797
00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,000
guys and they're great strikers.

798
00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:59,000
They're great brawlers.

799
00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:00,000
And you get a little wrestling

800
00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:02,000
behind them, a little jiu jitsu,

801
00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:03,000
and they're, you know, pretty

802
00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:04,000
well-rounded fighters.

803
00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,000
So, Memphis has that attitude.

804
00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:07,000
It's that grit.

805
00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,000
Everyone has that grit here in

806
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,000
this city, I think, and really,

807
00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:11,000
just in this area.

808
00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:13,000
And that's what, I think, really

809
00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:14,000
makes a lot of these fighters

810
00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:16,000
stand out from other fighters.

811
00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:17,000
>> Gaston: Nick, not only do you

812
00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:19,000
have great match ups, great

813
00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:20,000
fighters, but the show, the

814
00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:21,000
production.

815
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,000
It's so important to you to put

816
00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:24,000
on for the fans out there as

817
00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,000
they're going to be entertained

818
00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:27,000
not just by what happens inside

819
00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,000
the cage, but everything that

820
00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:30,000
goes along with the fight.

821
00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,000
>> Harmeier: Exactly, you know,

822
00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:33,000
it's fight week.

823
00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:34,000
Once that's going-I mean, going

824
00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:36,000
from the weigh ins to tonight.

825
00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,000
I mean, you come to it and it's

826
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:39,000
not just fights going on here in

827
00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:40,000
the cage.

828
00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,000
It's, you know, it's a very

829
00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:43,000
eclectic atmosphere.

830
00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:44,000
I mean, we have people that come

831
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:46,000
in here that's 85, 90 years old

832
00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:47,000
to watch these fights.

833
00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:48,000
But then we also have people

834
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,000
that come in here and, you know,

835
00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,000
six, seven year old kids come in

836
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:53,000
here and watch it.

837
00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:54,000
So, a lot of that is because of

838
00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,000
how we set up the production and

839
00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:57,000
how the shows built.

840
00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:58,000
It's built just like.

841
00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,000
You know, we try to build it

842
00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:01,000
just like the Grizzlies or like

843
00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,000
the University of Memphis.

844
00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,000
You know, our team goes to all

845
00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:05,000
those events.

846
00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:07,000
You know, and so, it was a no

847
00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:08,000
brainer for us to try to say,

848
00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,000
"Hey, this is the blue print for

849
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:11,000
what a sporting event is

850
00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:12,000
supposed to look like when

851
00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:13,000
you're at it."

852
00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,000
It's not just basketball when

853
00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:16,000
you go to a Grizzlies game.

854
00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,000
There's a ton of stuff going on

855
00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:19,000
there, also.

856
00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:20,000
You know, with different

857
00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:21,000
promotions and stuff.

858
00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,000
That's what we bring here, too.

859
00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:24,000
>> Gaston: Not only that, but

860
00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,000
you've also built on what MMA

861
00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:27,000
has become.

862
00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:28,000
You watch UFC fights and how

863
00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:29,000
popular that is.

864
00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:30,000
And I guess you put it all

865
00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,000
together and you come up with V3

866
00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:33,000
Fights.

867
00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:34,000
>> Harmeier: yes, exactly.

868
00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:36,000
And you know, we're getting

869
00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:37,000
there.

870
00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:38,000
And we still have a lot of work

871
00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:39,000
to do.

872
00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:41,000
We're moving around to a couple

873
00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:42,000
different markets.

874
00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:43,000
We're going to Nashville in

875
00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:44,000
February.

876
00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:46,000
And, you know, that's going to

877
00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:47,000
be a true test for us is check

878
00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:49,000
out how strong we can be in

879
00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:50,000
another market.

880
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:51,000
>> Gaston: Yeah, we have the

881
00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,000
fights coming up in February in

882
00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:54,000
Nashville as you mentioned.

883
00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,000
And the expansion, is that a big

884
00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:57,000
part of it?

885
00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:58,000
You feel right now you are ready

886
00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:00,000
to take it to that next level

887
00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,000
and go beyond just what you do

888
00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:03,000
here in Memphis?

889
00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,000
>> Harmeier: Yes, definitely.

890
00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,000
I mean, we can be the biggest

891
00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:07,000
and best in Memphis.

892
00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:08,000
And that's great to be in

893
00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:09,000
Memphis.

894
00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:10,000
But as we just signed with

895
00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:12,000
Comcast Sports South, it makes

896
00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:13,000
sense for us to try to go around

897
00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:15,000
and start hitting some of these

898
00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:16,000
different markets and finding

899
00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:17,000
these great fighters.

900
00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:19,000
But also, we have a great show,

901
00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:21,000
a great production, great event.

902
00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:22,000
So, you know, we pride ourselves

903
00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:23,000
on being from Memphis.

904
00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:24,000
You know, the home on

905
00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:26,000
entertainment, home of Elvis

906
00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:27,000
Presley.

907
00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:28,000
You know, we know good

908
00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:29,000
entertainment.

909
00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,000
So, let's take it on the road

910
00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:32,000
and show people what we're

911
00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,000
about.

912
00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:34,000
>> Gaston: Right now it's the

913
00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:35,000
best amateur fighters.

914
00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,000
They make their mark right

915
00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:38,000
inside this cage, the V3 cage.

916
00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:40,000
And then they move on to the

917
00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:41,000
professional ranks.

918
00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,000
Are there any thoughts about

919
00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,000
expanding to professional MMA?

920
00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:45,000
>>  Harmeier: Yes, ultimately

921
00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,000
our goal is we really kind of

922
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,000
want to be the triple-A for UFC.

923
00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:50,000
So, with that being said, we

924
00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:51,000
want good, young, strong

925
00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:52,000
fighters.

926
00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,000
And what we have right now is we

927
00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:55,000
have-We're getting a really

928
00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:56,000
good, deep pool of amateurs.

929
00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:58,000
And so as those generations of

930
00:22:58,000 --> 00:22:59,000
amateurs turn pro, it makes

931
00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:01,000
sense for us to turn pro with

932
00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:02,000
them because now, we know that

933
00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,000
we built that supply.

934
00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:05,000
And whenever we turn pro, that

935
00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:06,000
demand will be there and we

936
00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,000
already have the supply with is

937
00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:09,000
also.

938
00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:10,000
So, it makes sense for us.

939
00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,000
But to go pro, there's just not

940
00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,000
enough pros out there,

941
00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:14,000
especially just around in this

942
00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:15,000
area.

943
00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,000
But I think, I always say

944
00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:18,000
generations.

945
00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:19,000
It's our third generation right

946
00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:20,000
now.

947
00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:22,000
So, this next group of guys that

948
00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:24,000
go pro makes sense for us to go

949
00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:25,000
pro with them because, again,

950
00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:26,000
we'll have a deep pool of

951
00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:28,000
fighters to pull from and

952
00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:29,000
continue to match good, strong

953
00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:30,000
and exciting fights for the

954
00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:31,000
fans.

955
00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:33,000
>> Gaston: Alright, final

956
00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,000
question for you.

957
00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:35,000
I'm a genie.

958
00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:36,000
You've already went like this to

959
00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:38,000
my shoulder and poof, I give you

960
00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:39,000
a wish.

961
00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:40,000
I give you one wish.

962
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:41,000
You can not say unlimited

963
00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,000
amounts of money because then

964
00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:44,000
obviously, you can do whatever

965
00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:45,000
you want.

966
00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:47,000
There's one thing that you want

967
00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:48,000
to be able to do.

968
00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:50,000
What would it be if you had that

969
00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:51,000
wish?

970
00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:52,000
>> Harmeier: Ah, there's so

971
00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,000
many.

972
00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:54,000
There's so many.

973
00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:55,000
>> Gaston: I mean, to help

974
00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:57,000
expand what you're doing right

975
00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:58,000
now with V3 Fights.

976
00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:00,000
>> Harmeier: I mean, national TV

977
00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:01,000
deals a no-brainer.

978
00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:02,000
I mean, you know, if we really

979
00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:04,000
want to push it strong, if we

980
00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:05,000
can get on NBC or something, you

981
00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,000
know, once a week, that'd be

982
00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:08,000
great for us.

983
00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:09,000
Once a month, I mean, I'd be

984
00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:10,000
happy with that.

985
00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,000
>> Gaston: And the popularity is

986
00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:13,000
still very much there.

987
00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:15,000
When the MMA hit and boxing took

988
00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:16,000
a step back and people still

989
00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,000
wanted that excitement, they got

990
00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:19,000
it with MMA.

991
00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:20,000
And its till continues today in

992
00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:21,000
2013.

993
00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,000
>> Harmeier: Well, unless you've

994
00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:24,000
been to a fight-

995
00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,000
I mean, its one thing watching

996
00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:27,000
it.

997
00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:28,000
And it's great to watch.

998
00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:29,000
But when you come and when you

999
00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,000
experience it, it's a whole

1000
00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:32,000
'nother kind of level of

1001
00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,000
excitement.

1002
00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:34,000
>> Gaston: It's an absolute

1003
00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:35,000
show.

1004
00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,000
And folks, it's right here

1005
00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:38,000
inside the cage with V3 Fights.

1006
00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:39,000
Nick, thank you so much.

1007
00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:41,000
>> Harmeier: Thank you.

1008
00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:44,000
>> Gaston: Appreciate it.

1009
00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,000
>> Gaston: So Jason Levien and

1010
00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,000
the Grizzlies top brass did it.

1011
00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,000
They dealt Rudy Gay.

1012
00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:50,000
They dealt a member of the

1013
00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:51,000
team's "Core Four".

1014
00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:53,000
Many thought it wouldn't happen

1015
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:55,000
until after the season concluded

1016
00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:56,000
because the team's previous

1017
00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:58,000
trade with Cleveland got them

1018
00:24:58,000 --> 00:24:59,000
under the luxury tax threshold.

1019
00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:01,000
Well, if there's one thing we've

1020
00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,000
learned about the new Ownership

1021
00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,000
and Management group with the

1022
00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:06,000
Grizzlies is to "Expect the

1023
00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:07,000
Unexpected".

1024
00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:08,000
No, dealing Rudy was not a

1025
00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:10,000
shocker, but I just feel

1026
00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:11,000
anything is possible.

1027
00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:12,000
Of course, as I've stated before

1028
00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:14,000
on "Sports Files", Jason Levien

1029
00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:16,000
was brought in by his buddy

1030
00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:17,000
Robert Pera to shed spending,

1031
00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:19,000
but to do so without damaging

1032
00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:20,000
the team's ability to compete.

1033
00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:22,000
And while the jury is still out

1034
00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:23,000
on what will occur in the

1035
00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:25,000
future, right now they have

1036
00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:26,000
accomplished that goal.

1037
00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:28,000
And that will do it for this

1038
00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:29,000
week's show.

1039
00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:30,000
Remember to see any of our

1040
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:31,000
previous programs, head to our

1041
00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:33,000
website at WKNO-dot-org and

1042
00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:34,000
click on KNO Tonite.

1043
00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:37,000
And we'll see you next time.

1044
00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:54,000
[instrumental music]

1045
00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:58,000
♪♪♪