By Mel Greenberg
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Due to considerations for packing for a 7 a.m. direct flight to Philly and the fact the laptop did not go to the theatre because of the Guru's role as a most recent inductee at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame ceremonies, Saturday night, a full accounting will be delayed until late Sunday afternoon or a few hours later following transcription of the acceptance speeches.
But while you are here, the Guru can report that Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma, who was coming to support his former boss, Virginia coach Debbie Ryan, ran into an airplane traveling nightmare and did not arrive until after the ceremonies.
Thus, he was not in the same room as Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who was seated next to the Guru on her 56th birthday, during the event.
All the speeches were excellent. A snafu caused the video introduction of recently-retired Central Arizona coach Lin L. Laursen to repeat. When she reached the podium, she began her remarks by saying, "You will not hear this speech twice and proceeded to hunor everyone.''
Because of Patty Broderick's induction, there were enough referees to stage the entire NCAA tournament over the weekend. ESPN personalities Debbie Antonelli and Beth Mowins were the emcees and in turning to the moment for the longtime official, they noted "... and kept blowing her whistle until she got (a call) right.''
Geno and Pat may not have been in the same room, but Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer, a past inductee and member of the board, were in the same room as two of three officials involved in the infamous clockgate controversy here when Tennessee won in February in the "extended" closing seconds.
Hint: Bonita Spence was not here.
Dawn Staley made it with her staff from South Carolina.
Debbie Ryan's uncle, former Virginia and Notre Dame athletic director Gene Corrigan, also a past Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner, was her escort.
Stringer and the Guru spent some time together have side discussions on staffing situations at her place as well as several other schools that have been in the news. But remember, the two were together as past inductees and not in their other known roles.
In terms of Connecticut, one assistant has been interviewed for a head coaching job, while the other will be interviewed next week. But remember, the Connecticut head coach and the Guru were here as past inductees.
A contingent of Penn State officials flew down here late Saturday for Suzie McConnell-Serio's induction. Her coach, former Nittany Lions mentor Rene Portland, was not here, but was mentioned in the acceptance speech.
Happy Fathers Day to those who are celebrating and the Guru will return later Sunday.
-- Mel
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