NoEditor's note: Check back throughout the rest of the week as we offer a behind the scenes look into the GNAC Basketball Championships which the NNU men's and women's teams are participating in.

Sunday, March 10, 10 a.m. update
SEATAC, Wash. – For the first time all season, dear readers, Sports Information Director Craig Craker was late for leaving time.

My alarm was set for 6 a.m. and after not falling asleep until 12:30 a.m. I went ahead and slept right through it. Assistant coach Elpidia Allen woke me up at 6:27 a.m. and I was in the van driving us out of the parking lot at 6:37 a.m.

I thought about taking a nap while driving on some of the straight aways, but apparently sleeping while driving is frowned upon.

I have a middle seat on the airplane, but you better believe I'm sleeping.

Other observations

• Assistant coach Kate Cryderman chipped a tooth drinking out of a glass bottle before Saturday's game. We're now going to require her to do this before every game. I hope she has good dental insurance.
• It's definitely basketball championship weekend. We've run into the University of Washington team and the Montana State team at SeaTac.
• The nicest TSA agents I've ever met were very excited about the women's championship. The ladies got lots of questions and congratulations throughout the airport while carrying their GNAC champions trophy.
• Without 104.3 FM, the throwback station, this trip would have been awful.
• The championship trophy is nearly as big as Jordan Pinson, but she refused to give it up when it was her turn to carry it.
• Awkward bench moment: Zoe Wessels had Erin Jenkins blocked on SnapChat.
• Despite what Elpidia Allen says, there is no better view than Mt. Rainier on a sunny day in Seattle. Amazing views driving to the airport this morning.
• We conducted an official ranking of states in our van: 1. Washington; 2. Oregon; 14. Idaho; 52. Texas (behind Puerto Rico and Guam).

And with that, Behind the Scenes draws to a close. I was going to let the team offer up some observations of their own, but I'm not sure they are to be trusted.

Saturday, March 9, 9:30 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The team celebrated its GNAC tournament title in style at a Bellingham restaurant.

The Nighthawks popped Nazarene champagne (sparkling cider), sang We Are the Champions and cheered so loud that they were asked to quiet down by the wait staff.
They didn't.

It was a most deserved celebration after knocking off the toughest opponent they have faced this season for the second time.

Other observations

• While it's fun that the game is on ESPN3, it really changes how timeouts work. Media timeouts are a full 3 minutes instead of just 1. Causes a bit of confusion on when to break up the huddle.
• The two crowds traded chants of N-N-U and U-A-A. It was a terrific atmosphere for a game being played a long way from either campus.
• An Anchorage fan keeps chanting air ball during our free throw attempts. We are 8-for-8 from the line in the early going.
• Anchorage head coach and NNU alum Ryan McCarthy took his coat off at the 9:06 mark of the second quarter.
• Raquel Jardine tried to injure herself twice in the aftermath of the victory. First, the Jardine twins jumped on top of other players knocking them over and creating a wild dogpile after the win. Raquel then slipped and fell while getting out of the van at the hotel. Awkward.
• Per assistant coach Elpidia Allen, North Carolina defeating Duke was a good omen for NNU on Saturday. Not sure how that works, considering she was seen wrapped up in a North Carolina State blanket on social media.
• Head coach Steve Steele said the good omen was the country music being played before the game. We know that can't be true because country music is awful.
• Assistant coach Kate Cryderman said she doesn't want me to go to nationals because then she will have to watch what she says so she doesn't end up in the Other Observations. Sorry, Kate. Even if you don't talk you will be mentioned.
• The team made the mistake of letting me carry the GNAC trophy on the way to the vehicles. The thought crossed my mind to steal it a la Putin jacking alleged criminal Robert Kraft's Super Bowl ring.
• Head coach Steve Steele said that other than winning the championship, the best thing about this trip has been my observations. I agree, coach. I agree.

We'll potentially have one more update Sunday morning from the airport. Good night and sweet dreams, my friends.


Saturday, March 9, 4 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – NNU might need to bring back Powder Puff football.

The women's basketball team likes to improvise football games using anything they can find in place of a football.

On Saturday, they had a spirited game of 5-on-5 using a full water bottle in place of the football on a lawn in front of IHOP while they waited for tables to open up.

Last weekend on their Alaska trip, they were stuck at the Fairbanks airport for a few hours so they played a spirited game of football using an orange.

I'm not sure if there were any winners or losers, though Avery Albrecht did step in some dog poop.

Other observations

• On the food front, Kate Cryderman gags at the sight of eggs. She apparently only eats them if they are over-hard and bounce. She says it's from seeing how eggs are brought from farm to table.
• I now know why the ladies wanted me to drive their van. Elpidia Allen was making questionable decisions, causing Albrecht and others to scream in fear.
• The loudest cheer Steve Steele has gotten from his team this week was after the shoot around Saturday morning when he said, "Coffee is on me."
• Avery Albrecht can do toothpick tricks, citing her love of the movie Uncle Buck where an actor spins toothpicks in his mouth.
• The two head coaches from Anchorage and NNU shared a rare chuckle together as they discussed past horror stories of flights home after tournament games. Limited flights out of tournament towns have caused for some awkward plane row seatmates, including from players they had beaten the night before or players who had upset their team. I don't think either team will have to worry about that tomorrow.
• The Official Musician of the NNU Women's Basketball team, Justin Bieber, was heard singing on the radio on the ride to the game. People in my van claimed it was a sign. I cited Article 11.92a from The Manual that pointed out that Nazarenes don't believe in signs.
• Whoever loses this game is probably going to be pretty irritated on the ride to SeaTac in the morning considering it is Daylight Saving's Time tonight. An hour less sleep is more manageable when you win.
• The sun came out today. It wasn't very warm, but it definitely improved the mood of the team. It's been a long winter.

We'll be back with an update after the game.


Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The goat came up again.

Jordan Pinson is convinced that there is a mountain goat that lives in the Franklin Mountains near El Paso. A cursory Google search says that it is a million-to-one chance that there is a mountain goat there.

Pinson claims she has seen it twice. Based on the photo, I personally think it is a cow.

I'm guessing if she had grown up in Washington instead of Texas she would claim she's seen Bigfoot twice as well.

Other observations

• Maya Rodgers puts ketchup on her eggs. That seems questionable to me.
• The women's hotel is a million times nicer than the men's. I switched hotels since I would have been staying by myself at the Springhill Suites and it's like I moved into a much ritzier side of town. Fireplace and waterfall in the lobby, catered breakfast, shampoo and conditioner dispensers in the shower. It's ridiculous. I guess when you are 27-2 you get the nice hotel.
• Avery Albrecht wanted to be a writer growing up. She wrote a 21-page book about her teacher being an evil witch. The teacher must have taken it well because she had the book laminated. Albrecht figures she peaked at that moment and it's all been downhill since.
• McKenna Walker pulled out her phone to take notes during the team's whiteboard session. Not sure if that is like when I have my phone out during church to "read my Bible."
• Ellie Logan takes detailed notes, including drawing up the plays that coach Steve Steele shows. It's interesting to see how the different players digest the information.
• Anchorage chose not to have breakfast at the hotel. I guess they didn't want to fraternize with the enemy.
• The men's team left early Saturday morning to fly back to Nampa. It was a pretty disappointed group who likely won't make the NCAA tournament because of Western Oregon's upset of Saint Martin's on Friday.

We'll have a midday update after shootaround.


Friday, March 8, 10 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – NNU men's basketball coach Paul Rush didn't have the best birthday Friday.

Rush turned 36, but his team lost in the GNAC semifinals to Seattle Pacific.

Rush was 2-0 in games played on his birthday previously, winning a state title game while coaching at Capital and winning a third-place state game at Capital as well.

On Friday as he looked back on his season he quoted part of the 23rd Psalm and said it often comes into his head at the end of seasons.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me besides still waters; he restores my soul."

Rush said he often takes time to reflect on the season that was and tries to figure out how he can improve as a coach and a leader and that the scripture helps him do that.
 
Other observations

• The life of an unnamed assistant coach is not always glamorous. After the game, you come back to your hotel room and rehash the loss in your head. Then you call your spouse, eat your Chipotle in bed, vent and then start trying to find the positives.
• The van ride back to the hotel was mostly quiet except for random shouts of frustration at how the team played.
• Rumor has it that a certain NNU vice president who will remain unnamed, but who has a daughter on the women's basketball team could be seen watching Friday afternoon's women's semifinal on his laptop during a Board of Trustees wrapup meeting. The ladies appreciate your support, sir.
• The women's basketball team made sure to show up and support the men, returning the favor from earlier in the day.
• The men's basketball team is working on finding flights home Saturday and the consensus in my van was for a nighttime flight. No college student wants to get up at 4 a.m. to drive to Seattle less than 10 hours after a potential season-ending loss. We'll see what assistant coach Levi Stuart can come up with.
• The life of an SID includes weird moments like the one pictured above. SPU Sports Information Director Dan Lepse and NNU's SID, me, each had pre-fabbed Tweets ready to go with 90 seconds remaining in the semifinal Friday. One said, "FALCONS WIN!!!" One said, "The NNU men's basketball team lost …" The world of instant info is a strange one.
• The music selection is much better here at Carver Gym than at the Johnson Sports Center. Not having to worry about the content of the music goes a long way, I suppose.
• On the flip side, I kind of thought we were done playing Michael Jackson music after the HBO documentary that just came out.

We'll check back in tomorrow morning as the NNU women's team gets ready for a monster game against Anchorage.


Friday, March 8, 6 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Advancing to the GNAC title game means a bit more attention than many of the Nighthawks are used to.

Immediately after a win, two players the head coach head to a press room where they are interviewed press conference style and the video is posted online.

Since ESPN3 is streaming the championship games, their play by play and color commentators then do some background work so they know what to talk about on the broadcast.

Avery Albrecht and Ellie Logan didn't seem too thrilled that I went ahead and offered up some of their farming stories.

The best part of the press conference room, though, has to be the candy bucket. Lots of candy bars make the world go round.
 
Other observations

• The Concordia women's team were some of our biggest cheerleaders during the women's game. They definitely helped spur our women on in the first half.
• The NNU men's team was loud, chanting defense and generally just supporting the ladies.
• The Nighthawks men seemed enamored with Ellie Logan's Euro step. Logan has used it a few times to create easy chances for her teammates in the post. Marina Valles also had a couple of really nice crossovers that broke off defenders.
• Nighthawks fans, if you think Obi Megwa and Adonis Arms only ride the refs when they play. Well, never fear, they are giving the sideline official an earful every time down the floor during the women's game.
• The alternate referee, who runs the instant replay booth is convinced she knows me. I haven't been in this job long enough to really know any referees, but we finally realized we worked at the Morgan Family YMCA together in Tacoma, Wash. It's a small world.

Friday, March 8, 2 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The NNU women's pregame chat was a tad different than the men's.

Head coach Steve Steele and the team spend a portion of their pregame locker room time to do a Bible study of sorts.

For the past two months they have been working through the Old Testament and Friday talked about 1st Samuel 15.

The team discussed what the passage meant to them and how it related to where they are at in the season.

Frankly, if Olivia and Dustin – our glorious chaplains – are reading this, it should probably count as a road chapel credit.

Other observations

• The team watched former teammate Lexi Tubbs compete in the Indoor Track and Field National Championships in the 60-meter hurdles while sitting in the Western Washington gym. Tubbs just missed advancing to the finals in her first trip to nationals.
• Jordan Pinson continues to talk about the goat to anyone and everyone. She is still the only person that has any idea what she is talking about.
• The team appears loose and ready to get their playoffs underway. NNU swept the season series with Western Washington.
• The Vikings have a loud and boisterous band. They appear to have marching band type instruments. I'm guessing it's for their football team which they got rid of a few years ago. NNU football has a better lifetime record than the Vikings in football, as the Nighthawks are undefeated.
• Hopefully Gabe Murphy shows up at some point to drown out the Western Washington crowd. He's been one of the biggest women's basketball fans this season.
• While watching the end of the Alaska Anchorage-Central Washington game, Pinson took a look at herself in her phone using it as a mirror. She declared that her hair was a hot mess. "You are going to write that I only care about what I look like, aren't you?" Never fear, Jordan. We know you are worried about the game as well.
• Redshirt Maysun Wellsandt has missed six consecutive 3-pointers in warmup. It's by design, though, as she is helping the team work on a rebounding and a half-court set drill.
• Meal of the Day, Part Deux: The media hospitality suite had Korean BBQ. That certainly hit the spot. Thanks Western Washington.

We'll be back postgame with another update.

Friday, March 8, 11 a.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The life of a team manager is not one filled with much glory.

At the Division II level you rarely get to travel, there are never any photos of you in the galleries (I looked but couldn't find one) and you have to do a lot of dirty work.

And while Ethan McPherson would rather be on the court than on the sideline, he is happy with the way things have worked out.

McPherson, a sophomore computer science major, hoped to walk onto the NNU men's basketball team as a freshman. It didn't work out, but the team had a manager spot open so he took it.

"I still wanted to be a part of the team and this was a way to do it," he said.

This past summer he again hoped to walk onto the team, but there were no open spots. He even thought about leaving NNU to pursue playing elsewhere.

"I got a job as an RA (resident assistant) and I love the team," he said. "So, I felt like I was meant to still be here."

The GNAC basketball tournament is only the third time McPherson has gotten to travel. He has gone on the Central Washington bus trip twice. While on the road, he handles laundry, helps with stats, water and shooting shirts during the games and then anything else coach Paul Rush needs him to do afterward.

"It's been a blast," he said of traveling. "I love coming on the road. You get to see them in a different way than if they were just at home."

McPherson did have a moment of panic before Thursday's quarterfinal.

As the team filed into the Western Washington gym the coaching staff suddenly realized the jerseys were still in a suitcase back at the hotel.

Assistant coach Levi Stuart and McPherson quickly hopped into a van and raced back to the hotel.

"If they would have told me it was my responsibility, I would have made sure they were there," McPherson said. "I feel a little responsible just because it is part of my job to keep track of everything, but sometimes stuff happens."

In the end, the jerseys got there on time and the Nighthawks won the game. All's well that ends well.

Other observations

• The team decided to skip their morning shootaround partly because they were watching film until 11:30 p.m. and they wanted to let the players sleep in. And partly because Whatcom Community College canceled NNU's use of the gym late last night.
• During the morning scout session, assistant coach Jon Hawkins interrupted to bring coach Rush a birthday cake. Rush is 36, though some of the players claim he looks 50.
• There was a bomb threat near campus Thursday evening, which caused NNU to be asked to shelter in place by the Nampa Police Department. As the men's team got back to the locker room after their win everyone was a tad confused at the multiple text messages and voicemails left by the campus warning system. Thankfully nothing happened and no one was hurt. And I guess the warning system works.
• Meal of the day: Not sure I can already rule on this, but since I'll be eating concession stand food later I'm not sure my Starbucks drip coffee with creamer and a piece of coffee cake will be topped.

We'll be back later with updates on the women's team as they prepare for their semifinal game against Western Washington.



Thursday, March 7 11 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – We are finally back in our rooms after a great postgame meal provided by Adonis Arms' family.

They are staying about 25 minutes away from campus which wouldn't be a problem, but it was a virtual blizzard on the way back.

On the way there, well dear readers, sit back and let me tell you a story about Google maps.

There is an option in Google maps that allows you to choose the shortest route or the most direct.

I have no idea which choice Adalberto Diaz has selected on his phone, but the rental car agency might not be too thrilled with it.

We got off the freeway and athletic trainer Ken Becker turned left, but Beto assured me that the map said go right. So I did.

It started out OK. Windy roads through a deep forest, creatures running across the road, big dropoffs on either side, trailer homes with Christmas lights still up, you know, normal backwoods stuff.

Then suddenly we were on a gravel road. In the middle of a forest. And it was snowing.

Sam Roth and Ethan McPherson assured us that they were true hicks and would keep us safe. James Nelson was convinced we were going to drive up on a fallen tree and then someone – he never said who – would come up behind and kill us.

At any rate, we were the first people to reach the house we were having dinner at, so obviously it was the correct decision.

Other observations

• I've been in a lot of winning locker rooms over the years thanks to my past life as a sports writer, but this one was special. After struggling down the regular-season stretch, the Nighthawks willed their way to victory Thursday.
• Word on the street is that Cayden Wright was nearly named Pickles, but his parents decided on Cayden instead.
• Athletic director Kelli Lindley was interviewed on the web broadcast at halftime. I heard she did a stellar job. I'm going to need a replay to decide if that's true.
• I was given a warning by the other SIDs for cheering on press row. I thought that rule only applied to journalists? Aren't I paid to be a homer now?
• Felix White attempted to knock Zac Furgerson out at the dinner party. The house included a pool table on a landing above the living room. Not sure if Felix tried a trick shot or what, but a pool ball sailed off the balcony and bounced on the floor just behind Furgerson's chair.
• Luke Wicks really enjoyed the pizza at the postgame meal, telling me it is a Costco take and bake and is much better than DiGornio's.
• Cody Frazer is claustrophobic and really doesn't enjoy being on an elevator with 10 of his other teammates.
• Meal of the day: Honestly, the best thing I ate or drank today was my Starbucks coffee. A good cup of joe goes a long way on a busy road trip.

We'll see you back here tomorrow friends. I'm going to try and fall asleep before the unnamed coach with food poisoning shows back up.

Thursday, March 7 5 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The van ride to the game today was much different than earlier van rides.

Very little talking, lots of music being played through air pods and perhaps some nervous gas – or else the Sugar Beet Factory moved to Washington.

The players start getting locked in for game time in advance. Gone is the joking, throwing snowballs and general horseplay.

When we arrived at the gym it was time to get taped up, go to the locker room to listen to music, finish getting ready and then going over the gameplan with the coaching staff.

Then it was time for a prayer, some advice from the assistant coaches and then running out onto the court.

• There was a veritable dance party going on in the locker room. Senior Sam Franks got to choose the music since he is the old man of the team. Actually, Nikola Prvulj might be older but he apparently likes to listen to Serbian music which doesn't exactly pump the team up.
• Prvulj drinks a 12-ounce coffee before every game.
• James Nelson eats a Reece's Peanut Butter cup king size before every game. I'll try to find out more about this phenomenon.
• The unnamed coach who was in bed all day with Panda Express food poisoning has rallied and is at the game, though he was looking a little ghostly.
• As you would expect when playing a school that is less than an hour away, Simon Fraser has a decided crowd advantage. Though I'd guess there is less than 200 people in the building.
• The redshirts – or Bench Gang as they've named themselves – doesn't get to sit on the bench for this game. So, they have special passes to sit in the stands. They may have to rename themselves the Front Row Two Pass Gang or something.
• The NNU women's basketball team is in attendance supporting their counterparts.

 
I'll have another update after the game is over.

Thursday, March 7 5:15 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Head coach Paul Rush used to only get his suits dry cleaned at the beginning of the season.

Then assistant coach Rodrick Rhodes started convincing the players to pour water on Rush's head after big wins.

Rush has been visiting the dry cleaners a lot this season as the Nighthawks have had lots of firsts. A win tonight would be the first 20-win season since the school went to the NCAA in 2001. Rush did bring two suits on this trip, so he'll have some time to find a local dry cleaner for Saturday night's game – which is a good problem to have because it would mean the Nighthawks are in the championship game.

Other observations

• Gabe Murphy needs to keep working on his shot. He rimmed out a 1-footer when attempting to throw an empty water bottle into the recycle bin.
• Murphy also needs to work on his British accent. Not sure what the backstory is on this one, but Murphy is definitely working on some sort of accent for some unknown reason.
• For the first time all season some of the players had no idea what time they were leaving for dinner. So, Thursday night as the team was loading up to go to dinner coaches were trying to figure out where in the world George Reidy, Cayden Wright and Jaylen Fox were. Coach Paul Rush told them the good news is they didn't have to get up and run at 6 a.m. because it is the playoffs, they are freshmen so it will never happen again and it was just dinner and not a practice or a game.
• While finalizing things for tonight's game, Paul Rush pulled out his computer out and then he pulled out two pictures his two young sons drew. A family man to the end.
• The team enjoyed a pregame meal of grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and veggies from Applebee's. They ate at the hotel and watched offensive and defensive highlights from their regular-season games against Simon Fraser.

Thursday, March 7 11 a.m. update

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – While a trip to Western Washington might not be as exotic as some of the road trips NNU sports teams go on, it still has the appearance of being a vacation.

Rest assured it is not.

The men's basketball team met for mandatory breakfast at 8:15 a.m. (sparse offerings at the hotel, however – no cinnamon rolls? Really?) then loaded up at 9 a.m. to head to Western Washington for a 45-minute shootaround.

The team then loaded back into the vans, drove across town to Whatcom Community College and conducted a walkthrough to prepare for its game against Simon Fraser later tonight.

After this they will head back to the hotel for some free time, then a pregame meal and then it will be off to the gym for game time.

Other observations

• Don't eat at the Panda Express at the mall in Bellingham is a lesson we've all now learned. My unnamed roommate got a little food poisoning. Hopefully he'll be able to get to the game tonight.
• An unnamed coach fell asleep to the sweet crooning of Frank Sin… actually he fell asleep to scouting video clips. This is truly a 24x7 job for these folks.
• The snow in Bellingham has already provided some epic snowball fights.
• You haven't lived until you head to breakfast after hearing your roommate empty his stomach into the toilet to then listen to two athletic trainers describe techniques for the work they do.
• Not a surprise, but the coffee at the Springhill Suites is abysmal. And inexplicably, there are no Starbucks nearby.
• The team seems locked in despite the different schedule involving shootarounds at multiple gyms and the endless travel.
• Jayden Bezzant has a Bluetooth speaker with him at all times, bumping some sort of rap music. He and Niko Prvulj held an impromptu dance session in the hotel parking lot. The old man of the team held his own.

 
Check back later for a pregame update.


Wednesday, March 6, 7:30 p.m. update
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – After a four-hour journey, we've finally arrived in Bellingham. Traffic was so bad that the ladies missed the first half of their allotted time in the gymnasium.

Seattle traffic is always bad, but throw some snow into the mix and it becomes a zoo.

For those who haven't been to Bellingham, you are missing out. A gorgeous little city with a really cool looking campus. Even better covered in snow.

I'm guessing they don't have many problems recruiting here.

Other observations

• Something that is fun about traveling with a team is you really get to know the coaching staff and players better as conversation is a bit more easygoing than when you interact after games. For example, you'll want to go ahead and ask Jordan Pinson about the goat. And ride in a car with Raquel Jardine and Zoe Wessels, who sing along to all the songs.
• Ellie Logan went with the healthy option at our late lunch. Or at least what someone who grew up on a ranch probably thinks is healthy. She ordered a giant salad with lots of veggies and … a hamburger patty. Hey, when you are in the top 10 in scoring in NNU history you can order whatever you want.
• I learned that you know a meal is done when Marina Valles finishes. She is apparently someone who likes to take her time and eat slowly. The joke is that when she finally finishes everyone else has already digested their food and it's time to get back on the road.

 
We'll be back tomorrow morning with our next update. The plan is to spend most of the day with the men's team as they get ready to tipoff their quarterfinal matchup.

Wednesday, March 6, 5:38 p.m. update
BOISE, Idaho – The life of a college athlete involves lots of sitting in airports doing homework, surfing social media and apparently braiding each other's hair.

Today the team had a little different experience as the GNAC all-conference team was announced as we waited to board.

Avery Albrecht, Ellie Logan and Marina Valles all made the teams and they were greeted with a loud cheer which drew a few stares.

Other observations

• The Bachelor appears to be the most popular TV show of all time based on the intense discussion about it.
• I think the ladies were asked approximately 10 times between the Boise airport and SeaTac who they were, what sport do they play and where are they going. For their part, they represented NNU well and were respectful throughout.
• While checking in for the flight in Boise, both Ellie Logan and Avery Albrecht's screens initially said "no reservation found." Guessing the Nighthawks would rather not leave their two first-team all-conference players behind.
• I appear to be the only person excited to be in the rain in Seattle. Can't get enough of the fog, gray clouds and green foliage.
• Seattle traffic has gone ahead and made it so we will not be making our 6 p.m. practice at Western Washington.
• While it's not snowpocalypse, it is snowing in Seattle and based on social media posts from the men's team it is sticking in Bellingham. You don't normally get to experience snow in Western Washington while there is none in the Treasure Valley.
• Meal of the Day: We are at Blazing Onion in Lynnwood, Wash. Per head coach Steve Steele, the peanut butter pie is to die for. Most of the ladies ordered the California burger, so that must be the way to go.
• I think the most impressive thing about the group, which is pretty standard for college kids but I'd forgotten about it, is their ability to fall asleep anywhere at any time. We had some decent turbulence out of Boise, but the whole team immediately passed out and didn't wake up until we touched down. Then in our van on I-5, they all went right back to sleep.