STORRS, Conn. – I don’t remember if I first heard this from a journalism professor or from an editor early in my career, but I’m well aware of the fact a reporter should never become part of the story. Cover the story; don’t get involved.
Sometimes, you have no choice – especially if you spend a great deal of time sitting courtside at basketball games. The odds will catch up with you.
Such was the case Friday night at Gampel Pavilion when Connecticut, the defending national champion in NCAA women’s basketball, played Gannon in an exhibition game. The Huskies, who were voted the No. 1 team in the Associated Press preseason poll announced earlier Friday, were leading by 46 points with just under 18 minutes left in the game when UConn All-American Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis headed my direction as she chased down a loose ball.
I saw her coming. I’ve been in this situation countless times in my career. But in 35 years, no player has actually ever flown over press row, glanced off my lap and landed on the floor. KML was my first. It was a hustle play. She didn’t have to do it, but that’s how Mosqueda-Lewis plays the game.
She bounced up on her feet. I asked her if she was OK, but I don’t think she heard me as she hurried to get back in the game. She was fine. I was fine. The folding chair I had been sitting in was not fine. It got crushed pretty good. As I grabbed a new chair, John Altavilla of The Hartford Courant insisted that I not move the damaged furniture. He wanted a picture to post on Twitter.
Suddenly the story – and pictures – were all over Twitter and Facebook. I was famous. I don’t think I was trending, but I might have been close.
I didn’t need quotes for my AP story, but I wouldn’t have missed the postgame interviews for anything. Check out this video for KML’s explanation of the play – and her apology. (It wasn’t necessary, but she was sweet to do that.)
There have been numerous comments about me saving the Diet Coke in my left hand. I had just returned with the soda at halftime. I did save half of the cup. But as everything went into slow motion – as it does in a car crash – I could only think of my laptop. I didn’t want Diet Coke all over my keyboard, frying all the circuitry in my MacBook. Give me a little credit for quick thinking. My computer and iPhone escaped unharmed.
And I know one thing – my feet were set. That was a charge on Kaleena.
Several years ago, during an NCAA Tournament game, I got hit in the forehead by an errant ball that zipped across court. I had been writing running copy and looked up from my laptop just in time for the beaning. When I entered the UConn locker room after the game, Ray Allen could only point at me and laugh. He thought it was hilarious.
At least Kaleena apologized.
The UConn women are so talented, most of their games are lopsided and boring. And that was the case against a good Division II team from Erie, Pa. The Huskies won 101-35 but that close encounter I had with KML provided my scribe friends with the opportunity for fresh copy.
I knew coach Geno Auriemma would have his unique take on the incident. The first question of his press conference was about that play. And Geno didn’t disappoint.
“My first reaction was that I knew she had gotten stronger,” Auriemma said. “But to knock over . . At first, I thought it was Jim Fuller [of the New Haven Register] or some skinny guy or something. But when I saw that it was Ken Davis, I said, ‘Holy shit.’ Kaleena has gotten strong as hell.”
I couldn’t let that dig go uncontested.
“You’ll hear from my attorneys later,” I joked.
“No, I expected you to put up more of a fight, Ken,” Auriemma said.
“That was worth at least a free meal at Geno’s [restaurant in Storrs],” I replied.
“It’s on the house,” he said. “On the house.”
“Hey, you made a comeback,” Auriemma said. “I like that. A lesser guy would have gone home.”
Damn right. Listen to the Hall of Fame coach when he speaks.
Now I need a reservation for my wife and myself for Saturday night at Geno’s. I wonder how much the best bottle on the wine list will set him back.
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