Hello and welcome back! Today, there’s a bit of a different bent in store as we shift the perspective from the court to carpet row as we welcome ‘71 grad Mike Dady, who played for coach smith during his student days and served as Board of Regents chair from 1992-1995 as well as President of the Alumni Association and is the founding partner of Dady and Gardner PA, along with Fr. Roman Paur, who received both an undergrad and masters of divinity from Saint John's, was ordained in 1966, completed graduate degrees in clinical and counseling psychology and has filled numerous roles at the university including a faculty resident, psychology professor, vice president of Student Affairs, residential programs director, as well as the director and founder of the Human Resource Center among other roles. Still feels like I sold these guys a little short, but that’s what the rest of the episode is for. So without further ado ... here’s Mike Dady and Fr. Roman Paur with Coach Smith, Tom Connell and John Russett.

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Thanks to Troy Bigalke, Bryon Krause, Sam Bugbee, Luke Witt, Ryan Dusha, Chris Nordmann, Ryan Keating and Mike Nester for all getting together and being so willing to share their stories. And, of course, thank you to Coach Jim Smith.

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible.

Are you a member of the Johnnie Basketball Alumni Association? You should be! Sign up right now to join the Johnnie Basketball Nation and connect with teammates and friends, flip through old photos, even listen to episodes of the podcast. Founded and managed by SJU basketball alumni and friends, the Johnnie Basketball Alumni Association exists to foster the already formidable Johnnie Basketball Nation. Go to johnniebasketballalumni.org to see what it's all about.

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.

Hello and welcome back! Today, senior manager Andrew Nerud joins the show to talk about his decision to come to St. John's, the transition from player to manager and some of the unique insights he has gained from seeing the game from a different perspective. Thanks Andrew for making the time!

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Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible.

Are you a member of the Johnnie Basketball Alumni Association? You should be! Sign up right now to join the Johnnie Basketball Nation and connect with teammates and friends, flip through old photos, even listen to episodes of the podcast. Founded and managed by SJU basketball alumni and friends, the Johnnie Basketball Alumni Association exists to foster the already formidable Johnnie Basketball Nation. Go to johnniebasketballalumni.org to see what it's all about.

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

Hello and welcome back! Today, we have one of the most successful teams in St. John's history in the same room to turn back the clock and reminisce about their time together. Usually reserved for later in the episodes, we’re going straight to the source for some context before we begin. From The Record, Thursday March 1, 2001, page 14.
"Basketball Success Leads to Windfall of Awards. In the wake of its recent 15-game winning streak and conference titles, several members of the SJU basketball team received awards Monday. Junior forward Mike Nester was named MIAC men's Basketball Player of the Week. During the MIAC playoffs, Nester averaged 15.5 points per game and 6 rebounds per game including 23 points on 10-11 shooting against Gustavus in the MIAC final. Nester is ranked second in the nation in field goal percentage, shooting at a 69.3 percent clip. Senior guard Troy Bigalke was named MIAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Bigalke, the Johnnies' leading scorer, shared the award last year with Geoffrey Reed of Augsburg SJU head coach Jim Smith was named MIAC Coach of the Year. Smith is in his 37th season and has 588 career wins. Nester, Bigalke and junior guard Ryan Keating were named to the All-MIAC first team."
And they advanced further than any other team to-date in the NCAA tournament, making it to the sweet 16. Buckle up, it’s a long one … with some bleeps because, well, you all know Mike Nester. And if you don’t … you sure will after this. OK, here we go … 2001 team right now on "No Place I'd Rather Be …"

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Thanks to Troy Bigalke, Bryon Krause, Sam Bugbee, Luke Witt, Ryan Dusha, Chris Nordmann, Ryan Keating and Mike Nester for all getting together and being so willing to share their stories. And, of course, thank you to Coach Jim Smith.

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible.

Are you a member of the Johnnie Basketball Alumni Association? You should be! Sign up right now to join the Johnnie Basketball Nation and connect with teammates and friends, flip through old photos, even listen to episodes of the podcast. Founded and managed by SJU basketball alumni and friends, the Johnnie Basketball Alumni Association exists to foster the already formidable Johnnie Basketball Nation. Go to johnniebasketballalumni.org to see what it's all about.

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.