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Tears flowed freely at a sports press conference, and the lack of embarrassment was palpable.
Long Beach State men’s basketball had just secured its inaugural Big West Tournament championship and a ticket to the NCAA Championship, marking their first appearance since 2012. It was during the ensuing emotional postgame press conference that the poignant moment unfolded.
Merely five days after learning that his contract would not be renewed by the university, signaling the end of his 17-year tenure as the most successful basketball coach in the school’s history, Dan Monson sat on stage, flanked by the Traore brothers from Côte D’Ivoire, Aboubacar Traore, and Lassina Traore.
The champions of the moment spent a significant portion of the 18-minute question-and-answer session emphasizing that the Beach basketball program transcends mere teamwork—it embodies a profound sense of family.
Reflecting on his experience, L. Traore expressed gratitude towards Monson, highlighting the unwavering support extended by Monson and his wife, Darci. The emotional exchange culminated in Monson’s heartfelt declaration of love towards Traore, underscoring the deep bond forged within the team.
As emotions ran high, tears welled up not only in my eyes but also in the Monson family members gathered at the back of the room. The collective emotional release underscored the tumultuous week the Monson family had weathered.
Monson eloquently articulated that the essence of the journey lies in the relationships forged rather than the outcomes achieved, emphasizing the invaluable role his extended basketball family played within the broader Beach community.
With a touch of nostalgia, Monson reminisced about his sons MicGuire, the current Graduate Assistant, and Maddox, a current player on the team, recalling their humble beginnings as floor kids on the baseline. The mention of his sons evoked a poignant moment, causing tears to stream down my face uncontrollably.
On my way out, I paused to express gratitude to Monson for his acknowledgment, to which he responded, “I’m surprised you got emotional.”
I confided in him, revealing that despite never stepping foot on the court, Long Beach State men’s basketball had significantly influenced my transition from adolescence to adulthood, much like the players themselves.
Unbeknownst to Monson, the Long Beach State men’s basketball program had played a pivotal role in saving my life back in 2006. During my time as a journalism student at LBSU, I grappled with profound darkness and internal turmoil, resorting to self-destructive tendencies that culminated in a suicide attempt.
The aftermath of that harrowing experience, waking up in the hospital amidst a surreal dream of familial support only to be confronted by stark solitude, served as a turning point. It was then, standing on the balcony overlooking Pacific Coast Highway, that I confronted myself, seeking a sense of belonging and community.
Since that pivotal moment, my dedication to Long Beach sports has been unwavering, a decision that feels almost predestined. The inception of the first sports page in the history of the Union Weekly Newspaper on campus, with the support of friends, marked the beginning of a transformative journey.
The camaraderie fostered during the 2006-07 LBSU team’s triumph in the Big West Conference Tournament and subsequent journey to Columbus, Ohio, for a showdown against Tennessee, encapsulated a period of newfound purpose and vitality. The experience, shared with my Union Weekly family, solidified my resolve to pursue a path aligned with my newfound sense of purpose.
Subsequently, embarking on a professional writing career in 2008, covering Monson and the LBSU program through its highs and lows, provided valuable insights into the essence of integrity, mentorship, and resilience. Monson’s role transcended that of a basketball coach; he embodied the qualities of a father figure and mentor, shaping young men beyond the confines of the court.
While victories on the court may have been scarce, the enduring impact of Monson’s leadership on character development and integrity resonated profoundly. Monson’s emphasis on nurturing individuals into responsible, upstanding members of society underscored the transformative power of mentorship and guidance.
As Monson aptly articulated, “It wasn’t just about wins and losses, it’s to win with principle and doing with integrity. It’s a tough business. I’m okay with what other people do, but I’ve got to look in that mirror, and I’ve got to look at these players… Hopefully when I recruit kids I always tell their parents and their guardians that if you trust them with your young man, in four or five years, I’ll give you back a grown man. We’ve had a lot of guys go through this program, and it’s been a really gratifying week to hear from a lot of them that grew up in this program and were able to leave here and go out in society and be good fathers, good people in the community. I’m proud of all of that.”
Indeed, the legacy of integrity and character instilled by Monson transcends the realm of sports, leaving an indelible mark on all those touched by his mentorship.
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