Why we are playing Quinnipiac (sentimental)

#1
mitzustu

mitzustu

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#1
Pretty cool story. Sorry if already posted. Not from me but saw this online.

Sentimental story on why we are playing Quinnipiac from Tony Basillio on Knoxville radio:

I was recently lucky enough to work at an establishment
here in town that would be visited by several of the
university's coaches. It was a low key restaurant so
there was a chance for the owner (Eric Nelson) and staff
to interact with some of the coaches provided they were
not discussing business. Coach Serrano would always
take time to speak to the owner about this and that but
mostly about baseball since Eric had a couple of sons
playing high school ball. Serrano arrived in town at the
same time the Eric's oldest son (Ryan) was making his
decision about college. His son ended up at Quinnipiac.
Serrano always asked about how his Ryan was doing but
would follow that up by saying "yeah, I saw that they
won Friday and Sunday but struggled Saturday" or "I saw
they went 1 and 2 this weekend" . He took a personal
interest in his conversations. That always impressed me
but what follows impressed me even more.

After Ryan decided where he would attend and play for
four years, Serrano started working on getting
Quinnipiac on the schedule (this weekend) so that
Ryan's family and friends (but mostly his father,
Eric)can watch him play ball.

Unfortunately, about 3 weeks ago Eric passed away after
a 3 year bout with cancer. You could tell he was trying
to hang on to see his son play one last time but he
just didn't have the strength. In honor of Eric and
Ryan, Serrano is having Ryan's Mother/Eric's Wife throw
out the first pitch to Friday's game and she will be
throwing to Ryan.

Class! That is what sums it up best to me. I am so
proud to have Dave Serrano as not only our baseball
coach but as an ambassador to our University and
Knoxville.
 
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#3
#3
aw :(

sigh...

That would make a loss to them easier to handle. I'd still like the Vols to win though, obviously.
 
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#7
#7
Class act. Seems like we have a collection of good guys as coaches. CCM, CDS, and CBJ have been very impressive men.
 
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#8
#8
CDS is a proven, national stage head coach in collegiate baseball and is highly respected by the pros. His career can only be topped by his caring for the well being of the many people with whom he has relationships. UT is really, really fortunate to have him as its baseball coach. It also appears Butch will be joining him by being successful at his occupation and relationships. UT needs to hold on to those two for a long time.
 
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#9
#9
I read Volnation everyday all day and really never reply.

I have to say this is greatness.

God bless the family in their loss and CDS for doing His work!
 
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#14
#14
I was curious how Quinnipiac became part of the Vols schedule. After the story, it makes perfect sense. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Nelson family. I have long been a supporter of CDS and this kind of story makes me even more pleased that such a fine person, and unquestionable winner, is coaching the Orange. These kind of stories should be news not only on sports pages but news in general. We are bombarded by negativity and stories about, selfish pampered individuals and trival events in the lives of so called "celebrities" when there are these stories about family and community which I fear doesn't exist much anymore. It's people like Coach Serano that go about their business unheralded that are the real heroes. Like one poster says, we are blessed to have very good and honorable persons representing us -- CDS, CBJ, CCM, CHW, our beloved Pat, and I suspect others, too, but just don't know enough about them to say.
 
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