Takeaways from the Kirby Hocutt Radio Show
Another week, another show. Texas Tech Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt was in Indianapolis today for the NCAA Convention with Tech football OL Travis Bruffy. Rodney Allison, former Texas Tech QB from 1975-77, joined Robert Giovannetti with Hocutt's absence. Darvin Ham, former Texas Tech basketball great and current Milwaukee Bucks lead assistant coach, joined the show today
... The groundbreaking for the Dustin R. Womble Basketball Facility will be on Friday, according to Giovannetti.
... Hocutt believes in the student-athlete and is doing monumental things at the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy. Amy Heard joined the show as well to discuss that program.
... Heard said the Leadership Academy is about grooming student-athletes into more than an athlete. They provide experiences that will set them up for success in their careers outside of athletics.
... Heard added the West Texas workforce is a strong network that they like to bring in for mock interviews, resume building and teaching student-athletes how to be good interviews, how to succeed within the workforce.
... Allen Iverson was in the building when Ham broke the backboard against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament in 1996. Ham said Iverson had a lot to do with Ham's All-Star participation in the dunk contest and rookie showcase after college. He said he and Iverson are not close but will always talk when they run into each other.
... Ham said current Texas Tech coach Chris Beard has created a spark not only on campus but nationally for Texas Tech. He said the current three-game losing streak is just a moment that the team has to work around and bounce back from in a difficult league.
... Personally, Ham said he's fortunate to go into such a successful program in Milwaukee. He added he wanted tom implement the success of the Hawks in the 2015 season to Milwaukee, which has a similar offense. Ham said it's taken off a lot faster than they expected but they still take it day by day and practice by practice like a team that is not worried about the playoffs or standings. The end goal - the NBA Finals.
... Giovannetti said two series for baseball will be on ESPN and one on FS1. The TV schedule is set but not announced, yet. The Texas Tech TV app will also show any game not televised to be available through a stream on your Apple TV or Roku. There are some conflicts that they'll work through on certain games.
... Allison talked about the football ring of honor. The committee meets every year, he said and they've discussed the future. Wes Welker along with others are in the discussion but no further discussions on when or who will be the next one in. It's a subjective deal with the Ring of Honor. Allison said there's no criteria of Hall of Fame or first-team All-American needed. He ended with he'll bet there will be an addition within the next two years.
... New areas of concessions will be added to Dan Law Field. Soon enough there will be renovations and movement at the location.
... Allison said they have created a basketball Ring of Honor. The first Ring of Honor inductees will be unveiled on March 4 when the Red Raiders host the Longhorns as they have already been selected. Men and women will each have their own sides in the United Supermarkets Arena. Both will be recognized that night and the following when the Lady Raiders host Oklahoma. The first class consists of three women and four men.
... A baseball Ring of Honor is up next to be discussed.