Radio Workshop

Interview with Basketball Coach Dereck Wittenberg (Transcript)

by Ethan Lindsey

WHITTENBURG:

We acknowledged that there is a lot more important things going on than just a basketball game and we also acknowledged that it was just a basketball game, that there was a lot of important people, so we set out to have prayers and thoughts about the men and women fighting over in Iraq and their families back here at home.

LINDSEY:

This was the first ever trip to the NCAA men's basketball tournament for Wagner College. Could you talk a little about what this was like for the school.

WHITTENBURG:

It was tremendous for the school, not just the fact that we won the AC championship to go the NCAA. I just think it was some deserving publicity for a school thats got a beautiful campus, thats right outside of New York City, thats got a very good academic situation, good administration, and great publicity for the Staten Island community as well. So I think there was a win-win for everybody here and great exposure for the college and for the community.

LINDSEY:

You played the Number 2 seed Pittsburgh tough in the first round. You know, you are trailing by just 11 at the halftime.

WHITTENBURG:

Its hard to simulate their toughness and their size and how physical they really are. They are a great basketball team and probably should have been a number one seed. And we just tried to prepare in a way, with our game plan, to try to rebound with those guys and take care of the basketball. I thought we did that for a while, but its tough to consistently do that for forty minutes because they are such a great basketball team.

LINDSEY:

Both you and Pitt coach Ben Howland are being talked about for other coaching opportunities. I don't think most people know that the NCAA tournament is a job fair of sorts. Was there any extra pressure on you for that?

WHITTENBURG:

No, not at all. I never thought about any other team other than my own. I think its very flattering that people recognize that you're doing a good job. So I am very flattered by it, and it makes you feel good.

LINDSEY:

Not only the coaching rumors, the media pressure, the press conferences, the national television audience -- it must be a lot to handle for players from, like you said, a small Staten Island school. What did you tell your players? How did you guys handle the increased media pressure?

WHITTENBURG:

I think I let the kids enjoy this moment. I didn't want them not to interview. I didn't want to shelter them and they deserve this kind of attention because we don't this kind of attention at all. And I wanted the kids to realize that this is the kind of thing they are capable of doing. I just think its kind of tough for a school of our nature that has never been there for the first time, especially these kids, to understand the magnitude of everything and how to handle all that. And I think they did a pretty good job, we just went against a great basketball team. But I think they handled the media beautifully.

LINDSEY:

A return to the tournament must have been full of nostalgia for you, especially. You were a member of the 1983 North Carolina State team that upset the heavily-favored Houston team to win it all. Was it special on the twenty-year anniversary?

WHITTENBURG:

I think it was ironic and special that something like this happened. Twenty years when I won the championship, I think it was tremendous. It also humbled me and showed me how blessed and appreciated I felt, because these kids deserved it. It was great for them. I had won the national championship, but it was just so happy for my kids and for the program.

LINDSEY:

Thank you very much Coach Whittenburg.

WHITTENBURG:

Alright, thank you Ethan.