PonyFans.com

JON KONCAK TO SPEAK AT SMU MEN’S BASKETBALL TIP-OFF DINNER ON OCTOBER 11

DALLAS (SMU) --- The SMU men’s basketball team will host its inaugural Tip-Off Dinner at the Radisson Hotel Central Dallas on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Former Mustang All-American Jon Koncak will serve as the keynote speaker and head coach Matt Doherty will give insight into his opening season on the Hilltop. The event gives fans a have a chance to sit, visit, and eat dinner with SMU players and coaches.

Mustang Fans can sponsor a table for $450 or individual tickets are available for $45 each. To register or get more information, contact Kristi Kaiser at 214-768-1319 or [email protected].

The Mustangs’ 2006-07 season begins Nov. 12-14 in Tallahassee, Florida, in a three-day round-robin event where the Mustangs face Illinois State, McNeese State, and host Florida State, respectively. The Mustangs host the Dayton Flyers in the home-opener at Moody Coliseum on Nov. 18. The slate includes a home game against Texas College on Dec. 3, which is the 50th anniversary of the opening of Moody Coliseum when the Mustangs topped McMurry 113-36 on Dec. 3, 1956. The Ponies host Houston Baptist in an exhibition game at Moody on Nov. 4.

Keynote speaker Jon Koncak is one of two consensus All-Americans from SMU, earning the honor during the 1984-85 season. He led the Mustangs to two NCAA Tournaments in 1984 and 1985, advancing to the second round each year. Koncak led the team in scoring his final three years while compiling a 67-29 record in that span. The Mustangs spent the entire 1984-85 season in the Associated Press top-25, reaching as high as No. 2 at the end of January. He was a first-round selection of the Atlanta Hawks in the 1985 NBA draft and went on to a 12-year NBA career, spending the first 10 seasons with the Hawks. Koncak holds SMU career marks of first in rebounds (1169), first in blocks (278), third in scoring (1784 points), and second in field-goal percentage (.559).

The SMU Coaching Staff of Head Coach Matt Doherty, Associate Head Coach Mike Garland, Assistant Coach Lance Irvin, and Assistant Coach Steve Lutz have a combined 49 years of collegiate coaching. The group has compiled 16 conference crowns and 12 conference tournament championships while earning 26 postseason appearances, including 18 bids to the NCAA Tournament with 14 trips to the Sweet 16, nine Elite Eights, six Final Fours and two National Championships. The success also includes 32 players that have gone on to the NBA.

http://media.www.smudailycampus.com/med ... lisher.com

Men's basketball season tips off
Jordan Hofeditz, Sports Editor, [email protected]
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Sports
PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 The SMU men's basketball team welcomed in the new season on Wednesday night with the first annual Tip-off Dinner.

The night began with the voice of SMU basketball, Rich Phillips, announcing the players and assistant coaches as they entered from the back of the dining room. The first speaker of the night was Athletic Director Steve Orsini.

Orsini touched on the basketball team, but focused on the athletic program as a whole. Stating two purposes of the athletic department. The first is to "develop future leaders in our society," and the second is "to get results in athletics."

"Its time, things are in place," said Orsini.

He went on to discuss the facility improvements being made for the basketball program at SMU. The groundbreaking of the new practice facility is scheduled for Nov. 8, and there is going to be a video board put into Moody Coliseum over the holiday break.

But the most important aspect of the Mustang basketball program, according to Orsini, is attendance continually stating that we've "got to fill Moody."

Then head coach Matt Doherty was introduced. Doherty spoke of what brought him to SMU and the its leadership, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel these people were committed to men's basketball."

Doherty has big plans for the program and has no problems challenging his players. Doherty wants the Mustangs to be regular season Conference-USA champions, C-USA tournament champions, and to get into the NCAA tournament. As far as his players go, Doherty "dares [them] to be great, invest [their] whole self into the season."

The keynote speaker for the night was former Mustang All-American Jon Koncak. Koncak led SMU to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, where the Mustangs reached the second round each year. Koncak was also a member of the 1984 gold medal winning USA Olympic team.

Koncak focused on the role of the players at each position, but also said there are five keys to winning - talent, dedication, goal setting, teamwork and sacrifice, with that the Mustangs will be just fine.

Anyone else have thoughts of the dinner?

Pretty good statement -- "I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel these people were committed to men's basketball."

The quality of recruits considering (and committing to) SMU suggests that he's not the only one who feels that way.

Was there any story the next day (or yet!) in the DMN following this dinner?