May 16, 2005

Note - Tish and Bill Husak are writing this journal entry as we fly with the team to Cairns.

We are still pinching ourselves to believe that we are in Australia. Yesterday, the team traveled to the Australian Woolshed where we saw a demonstration of a sheep being sheared. We were all amazed as eight different breeds of sheep were introduced and ran on stage to the cheering and applause of the team. Dusty, the shows MC, was taken aback by the girls' enthusiasm and so were the sheep. Although the sheep are well trained to run up on stage to their places, it seemed that they were running fast to the cheers and screams of the team. When asked for a couple of volunteers from the audience to help shear, Amanda Patton and Laura Kennedy didn't hesitate. Their reward for being a part of the demonstration and show was some freshly sheared wool that they will bring back to the States. The Woolshed experience continued with the petting and feeding of kangaroos, the holding of koalas, a demonstration of sheep dogs at work and a stop at the gift shop. My, can these girls shop!

Afterward, we traveled to the Gold Coast which is a rapidly developing tourist area filled with wonderful shops, surf and sights. Surfers Paradise was our destination and it is reminiscent of the beach communities along the coast of southern California. The beach here is fine whitish sand that runs for 35 miles along the coast. The water was aqua in color and very clear. The afternoon and evening were filled with some beach time, dinner and even more shopping.

As with all experiences, it is more about people than anything else. The Aussies are generous, friendly and funny. Our favorite Aussie expression is "not to worry", which seems to summarize their attitude very well. The coaches and staff are organized and committed to an experience that intertwines athletics, culture and education. Classes and meetings are held in the airport as we wait, on the bus as we travel and the hotel lobby when appropriate. The women who comprise the LMU Lions basketball team are a group to be proud of. They represent the USA, LMU and their families so well.

There are two experiences that will leave an impression on us. The first we will write about here, but the second one you will have to read Bill's web site "Perspecives" column in the near future. As we were in Sydney visiting the Toranga Zoo we had to enter the Lion exhibit. There was a sign there that had a picture of a Lion and underneath that photo was the statement, "The Strength Behind the Pride." That statement touched a nerve with all of us. For LMU Athletics what is the strength behind the Pride?

We don't think the answer is a single one - but the answer is in the people that are associated with LMU. The religious who started the Jesuit and Marymount traditions had a vision for how to educate young people. The support of Fr. Lawton, Vice President Lane Bove, the faculty, staff, administrators and coaches that continue to make this vision a reality and have put theory into practice. As we write this, the golf tournament has just completed and the generous alumni and fans of LMU Athletics have had a wonderful time in supporting our efforts. The answer is also in the student body that provides the spirit during our games through cheer, band, Lion Pride and all of the activities they sponsor. And finally the strength behind the Pride is the family support that the athletes receive. The parents of the players on this team, like the parents of every athlete on every team, can feel great pride in how their daughters and sons represent them.

We look forward to landing safely in Cairns and winning our last game tonight. We have faced very good competition which will serve us well for the upcoming season. And we have also learned and had experiences which will enrich the rest of our lives. Through these journal entries, we hope to share these experiences with you and to say THANK YOU for the opportunity that has been provided this team.

Go Lions!
Bill and Tish Husak