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America's Best-Dressed Assistant Coach
By Angela LentoCLICK HERE FOR EARLIER RESULTS
Wofford Head Coach Richard Johnson Talks About the Big Victory in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
It has come down to this. Two extremely well-pressed and well-poised guys would vie for the right to be called America?s best-dressed assistant coach.
Both Tom Schuberth (Southeast Missouri State) and Mike Young (Wofford) reside in small out of the way towns, which don?t normally show up on the media map.
Schuberth, who reports to work in Cape Giradeau, Missouri, is no stranger to ?Final Four?s.? The 43-year old stylish understudy began his collegiate career at UNLV and was part of the Runnin? Rebels squad that advanced to the Final Four, in 1977.
Schuberth later transferred to Mississippi State, where he played three seasons for the Bulldogs.
From 1983 to 92, Schuberth was an assistant under Mike Vining at Northeast Louisiana before moving on to Memphis.
His accomplishments as a coach and style maven are well documented, but what about his playing days. Well, Schuberth spent two years touring with the Harlem Globetrotters. Unfortunately he played for the opposing team, the California Chiefs.
In the ?Fashion Fair? it?s been Schuberth who has used a variety of tricks to defeat all opponents, to advance to the ?Trendy Two.?
His opponent, Mike Young resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina and has spent the past 12 seasons as a member of the Wofford College staff.
Like Schuberth at SEMO, Young?s efforts have helped in the continued building process in Spartanburg. Interestingly enough, coming into this season only two division I program have increased their win total in each of their last four seasons. You guessed it. The two programs are SEMO and Wofford.
While the recruiting efforts of both coaches have played a major role in the building process at their respective schools, both guys have used a more meticulous approach in putting together their wardrobes.
The results have been evident during the stroll to the main stage for the championship contest.
?I never had any doubt in my mind that Mike [Young] would be in the championship contest,? said Wofford head coach Richard Johnson. ?With each round the competition got a little tougher, but it was clear that Mike was much more stylish.?
While Johnson spoke on behalf of his understudy, Schuberth made his own statement.
?This has been a lot of fun,? Schuberth said. ?Win or lose it has been a lot of fun. So many people have mentioned this to me during the season. I think it is great for us to have something we can laugh about during the season.?
As the grand finale drew closer, the laughter and smiles changed to the more serious ?runway? faces.
The crowd had gathered hours in advance in anticipation. In the parking lot, Terrier fans were tailgating.
?Mike Young is one of the select few men in America who assumes the pride of the 'well dressed' with poise,? said Doctor Mark C. Poole. ?He is among the elite in his field.?
?How many basketball coaches do you know that have passed up a trip to the old Boston Garden to visit Boston's trendy Newbury Street to shop at Gucci, Cole-Hann, and Armani,? said Lynn Lepcio.
?There is absolutely no question in my mind that Mike Young of Wofford College should be the hands-down winner of the Fashion Fair title,? said Elizabeth B. McGehee who was holding a sign that read: ?Eat your heart out, Rick Pitino!?
The SEMO contingent was a little more subdued, but not lacking in confidence.
?Armani will be the difference today,? said an unidentified fan. ?Coach Schuberth has consistently gotten 30+ from Armani in mowing down the competition. I am looking forward to the trophy presentation. Tom Schuberth is America?s best-dressed assistant.?
The festivities outside moved into the arena, as the big event was about to begin.
The crowd was treated to an oldie, but goodie as the one-hit wonder ?Hot Chocolate? performed ?You Sexy Thing,? as the two contestants walked out of the tunnel and onto the stage.
Young was the first to strike a pose and the Terrier faithful exploded in pandemonium. And the SEMO fans voiced their approval with the first appearance of Schuberth.
Among the notables in the SEMO crowd was James Gandolfini. He didn?t have anything to say, but he was spotted whispering something to Tony Sirico (A.K.A. Paulie Walnuts).
As the catwalk contest began it was clear that this would come down to the final T.V. tailor timeout.
Supporters of both contestants roared as their coach strutted his stuff.
Neither coach built more than a tie?s length lead, with the lead ?changing? throughout.
As the two took their final steps towards the end of the runway the outcome was still in doubt.
Both stylish guys had to be concerned.
Schuberth had gotten everything he could from Armani, but was unable to pull away, while Young?s closet had also been exhausted.
The two were right in sync as they took their final step.
Both contingents were claiming victory and the announcement came: ?Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a photo finish.?
Schuberth and Young waited in anticipation of the final results.
?It?s too close to call,? said Fashion analyst Shakey Rodriguez. ?Angela [Lento] and Jackie [Bracco] will have their hands full in reviewing the television monitor.?
The former Florida International coach waited with everyone else for the final word.
?We have a winner,? said Bracco. ?I would like to turn the microphone over to Angela for the announcement of America?s Best-Dressed Assistant Coach.
It was a very tough decision. Both candidates showed all season long that they are worthy of being recognized as the Nation?s most stylish, but unfortunately only one can be crowned No.1.
The 2001 Best-Dressed Assistant Coach is Wofford?s Mike Young.
?It?s a tremendous honor,? said a gracious Young. ?I have always admired Tom Schuberth. He has a tremendous wardrobe and I feel fortunate to have won. I want to recognize Mark Cohen (Wofford Sports Information Director) for his fine work in promoting me. I could not have gotten to this point without Mark. I would also like to thank coach Johnson, all the Terrier fans and my lovely wife for her continued support.?
On this day there were no losers on the catwalk.
?This has been a lot fun,? said Schuberth. ?Of course I would have like to have won, but Mike Young is a worthy and deserving opponent. I congratulate him on his victory. I am looking forward to competing on the runway again in 2002.?
Congratulations to both Mike Young and Tom Schuberth for styling with class!
THE FANCY FOUR
Mike Young (Wofford) defeated Steve Sauers (Marist)
Tom Schuberth (SE Missouri State) defeated Brian Loyd (Portland State)EAST
Steve Sauers (Marist) defeated Stephanie Ready (Coppin State)Note that Hofstra's Tom Pecora has been replaced Iona's Rob O'Driscoll.
Steve Sauers (Marist) defeated Rob O'Driscoll (Iona)
Stephanie Ready (Coppin State) defeated Mike Jarvis II (St. John?s)
Steve Sauers (Marist) defeated Keith Bike (Sacred Heart)
Tom Pecora (Hofstra) defeated Eugene Burroughs (Marist)
Stephanie Ready (Coppin State) defeated Bobby Collins (Hampton)
Mike Jarvis II (St. John?s) defeated Garland Mance (Kent State)
WEST
Brian Loyd (Portland State) defeated Michael Holton (UCLA)
Michael Holton (UCLA) defeated Ronny Thompson (Georgetown)
Brian Loyd (Portland State) defeated Brian O?Neill (Baylor)
Ronny Thompson (Georgetown) defeated Rob Jeter (UW-Milwaukee)
Michael Holton (UCLA) defeated Cameron Dollar (Saint Louis)
Brian O?Neill (Baylor) defeated Lew Hill (Texas A&M)
Brian Loyd (Portland State) defeated Bobby Kummer (Texas A&M)
MIDWEST
Tom Schuberth (SE Missouri State) defeated Darby Rich (Sam Houston State)
Tom Schuberth (SE Missouri State) defeated Jeff Battle (Xavier)
Darby Rich (Sam Houston State) defeated Jennifer Johnston (Oakland)
Tom Schuberth (SE Missouri State) defeated James Stafford (Duquesne)
Jeff Battle (Xavier) defeated Keith LeGree (Cincinnati)
Jennifer Johnston (Oakland) defeated Scott Drew (Valparaiso)
Darby Rich (Sam Houston State) defeated Darren Savino (New Mexico)
SOUTH
Mike Young (Wofford) defeated Byron Samuels (Tennessee)
Mike Young (Wofford) defeated Mike Gillian (George Mason)
Byron Samuels (Tennessee) defeated James Wilhelmi (Maryland-E.S.)
Mike Young (Wofford) defeated Jay Hickson (Campbell)
Mike Gillian (George Mason) defeated Rodney Terry (NC-Wilmington)
James Wilhelmi (Maryland-E.S.) defeated Monte Ross (St. Joseph?s)
Byron Samuels (Tennessee) defeated Alvin Williamson (Tulane)
Note: The 32-Assistant Coach field was selected among the 100 plus under studies, which were nominated by their head coach or sports information director. In order to be considered an assistant MUST have met that criteria.
Fashion Fair Field
Copyright © 2001, College Hoops Insider and Gametyme, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
