Indiana University Athletics
Davis Speaks At FIU Dinner
10/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
October 7, 2002
Bloomington, Ind - Men's basketball head coach Mike Davis travels to Miami, Fla. for Florida International University's men's basketball tipoff dinner, Tuesday, Oct. 8. The dinner is in its third year and is a tradition started by the Golden Panther's head coach Donnie Marsh when he took over the position three years ago.
Coach Davis was asked to deliver the message to the 2002-03 Golden Panthers as a way to kickoff the season.
"Each year, we try to get the best person to deliver our message for the season. Coach Davis is a very recognizable person who has endured things and persevered, who has fought for his goals and has strong faith," said Marsh. "What a great person to deliver our message."
That message is that this is the season to turn the corner, that doing things the right way in rebuilding a program will be rewarded and turning the corner on the improvement over the last two seasons is the next step in the long rebuilding process.
Jay Bilas, an ESPN basketball analyst, was the first speaker in 2000, telling the FIU team that the road to greatness takes time and to be patient. In 2001, Memphis men's basketball head coach John Calipari delivered the message that the team had made great strides, but success would not happen overnight.
The kickoff dinner is held in the Golden Panther Arena and is the signature event for the basketball program, FIU fans and supporters and most importantly, the 2002-03 Golden Panthers.
