Many times, we have heard it stated that the success of the early '90s Buc basketball teams was a case of "catching lightning in a bottle", and indeed that's an apt description. I think one could also say that about the Irish Brigade teams (although I personally haven't heard that descriptor used with them) of the '70 and '80s. And while this is 'only' one doubles pairing, instead of the whole team, I don't think it's wrong to call this another case of that phenomenon. It's quite inexplicable. And although I'm under no illusion that this is as big or important in the grand scheme of things as if it were hoops, I mean come on......
This is the freaking semifinals of the national championships!

We all also know that "success begets success", so imagine the extra boost this will give Yaser's recruiting efforts. And it can't help but make a few folks around the country sit up and take notice - albeit largely tennis fans. As they say, you can't buy this type of exposure, even tho it's on a much smaller scale than if it were hoops.

I know some of you guys used to be down on tennis, thinking it was drawing resources away from the major sports (which was almost completely untrue), but I urge those of you who may have been slow to embrace this success to give full credit here. Yaser has done more to help build the ETSU image (and brand) around the country (and the world!), over the last 25 years, than all but a few people involved in the athletic administration - those whom have had a broader platform, such as our various ADs, basketball coaches, Dave Walker, Ray Flynn, etc. Within the confines of his place in the organization, he has been a warrior for ETSU, and has fought tooth-and-nail for the university that he came to as a student, but fell in love with the place and the people here.

This, already, is an achievement that will be remembered long into the future, and who knows what positive repercussions will flow from this as time marches on? Such things, along with what success Steve Forbes, etc., etc., bring to our university, all add together to help build a much brighter athletic pathway forward.

It's great to be a BUCCANEER!