Date: April 2 - 3, 2010
Where: Murfreesboro, Tennessee 

Nov. 17 Update: In the handout area is the list of players going and their fundraising status and how much they owe and who they owe it to.

Special notes from Myron's update:

• If you're staying with another player or coach, you must make room payment prior to January 1. The Clarion, our hotel, will provide a breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.
• We should have team fund money for complimentary evening meal on Thrusday in the hotel after we arrive. This will be for our team informaitonal meeting. We'll probably order an assorted choices of pizza. This will be for players and families.
• Coaches meeting is at 5 p.m. at the hotel in the hospitality room.
• Thursday or Friday there will be a team photo session. Dawn Fones will be taking the photo.
• Team Diary: several players, coaches and parents will construct a tournament team notebook. More to come on this.
• Clarion Hotel: 615-896-2420; All room reservations must be made prior to Jan. 1. Rooms must be held via credit card, the card will not be credited until stay is completed. This is only to hold the room under the adult's name. Please use the Blue Ridge block of room, you might have to mention that you're there for the Lady Warriors Southern Classic Tournament. You can also ask for Sandy. All unused rooms will be returned to the hotel the first of the year. Please make your arrnagements as soon as possible. Please let Myron know when you've done this.

September: Those players going to the NIT should have also received informaiton sheet about the touranment, lodging, travel, etc. Copy is available in the Handout area.

KNIGHTS will be cindarella among a large school field

COACH'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE NIT: "I was not going to let this opportunity for these girls pass, as we got the invitation and thought how much this could help us as a team and as a program in the future. Win or loose, means little when you get to participate in this type of event. This is something the girls can hang their hat on for years and the memories will last a lifetime. I am so excited for these kids, that I wish we could leave tomorrow. I am sure just knowing the competition that we will be facing is enough to spur an increased work ethic in most of our players. I know I will be working a little harder to help them reach their full potential."

The NIT field presently has 11 state champions and runners up signed up. 42 teams from 8 states (Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, West Virgina and Florida) are signed up. This should be something to see.

There will be 8 different tournament sites throughout the Nashville area participating as hosts. This should be a terrific experience for the girls. We will be the second smallest school in the 42 team field, as it seems, most are county schools and metro schools. Most also, play a 60 or 70 game schedule in the spring and fall combined. It is also likely that the majority of the teams in the field will have played 15 to 20 games prior, as we may be lucky to have 2 or 3 games in prior to tournament play.

Sept 30: The NIT field will have a total of 3 Illinois' teams: 4A Mother Maucaley from Chicago and 4A Carl Sandburg from Orland Park.

At this time, with the field of teams set, it is estimated that we will likely play one team from Ohio, one team from West Virginia, one team from Florida or Texas and two teams from Tennessee. Can we compete?  You Betcha!!

We may not be as deep as most, but I feel we will be able to compete with any of these teams, because we know how to play as a team.

At this time, it appears that we only need about 2 or 3 more parents to go to complete the vacancies. Also at present we may need rides for 6 more players. This will be updated once all forms are returned.

All NIT players should have their NIT information sheets turned in by Friday Oct 16th to Coach Thacker. Those that we presently do not have are: Hillary Foster, Kayln Reynolds, and Tierney Riddle

Please let me know as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend or will need a ride with another family. This was part of one of the papers handout during the Sept. 11 meeting.

FUNDRAISING: For the girls that will be going to the NIT

It is very important that all players do the best they can to raise funds for the team, as we use these funds to also provide equipment and awards.

We will be giving you the opportunity to help your parents, by fundraising through the Hit A Thon, VB Concessions, and perhaps cookie sales at the basketball games. The money profits will be credited to the girls that either work the concessions, sell cookies, and raise funds from the hit a thon. So if you want or need to work for it, here is your opportunity. 

Any questions on this matter may be directed to Myron @ teamilsoftball@aol.com or call 309-825-4352 cell.