• Blaine enters his second season at Cornell after arriving in
2010 from Maryland-Eastern Shore, where he was instrumental in
helping to turn around a once downtrodden program.
• Prior to his stint at UMES, Blaine spent one season at both Radford (2006-07) and Hampden-Sydney College (2007-08). He also has experience in the Director of Basketball Operations position at Army (2004-06) and James Madison (2003-04), spearheading the administrative efforts, as well as film exchange, academic progress of the players and team travel.
• A 2003 of Johns Hopkins University, Blaine ranks among the school's top 20 in three statistical categories (field goal percentage, blocks, offensive boards).
Diary Series: Mike Blaine, Asst. Coach - Cornell
The post-Halloween sugar rush has subsided, the leaves in Ithaca have turned, and there is a nice breeze coming in off Cayuga Lake. All of this means it is time for another exciting season of Cornell Basketball!
The beginning of our second year under Coach Courtney has brought with it many positive changes. Our system, our terminology, and our core values are firmly in place. Fortunately for the coaches, the values of unselfishness, trust, team work, and passion have been entrenched in Cornell Basketball for many years. They have been passed down from the outstanding coaches and players that have been a part of this program in the past and helped make Cornell what it is today. We hosted our Cornell Basketball Alumni Weekend back in October and it was really special to see our alumni (some from as far back as 1955!) come back and share their experiences playing for the Big Red.
With the arrival of Year Two, our upperclassmen are now thoroughly familiar with our expectations. They know what and who to look for on the court. They know how to “speak our language” and how to effectively communicate. Most importantly, they know how to teach our freshmen what we do and how we play. Last season our staff had to teach the whole team new drills, new sets, and new rotations. This year we are a step faster on the court because our habits have been built. Our captains, Chris Wroblewski and Drew Ferry, have set the example of what it means to be a Cornell Basketball player. Our younger players see this and are rapidly following their lead.
Amidst the ever shifting landscape of college athletics, Cornell Basketball is looking forward to another exciting season in the Ivy League. The Halloween edition of the Cornell Daily Sun had some fun with its readers about Cornell changing its affiliation, but our program is thrilled to be a member of the Ivy League. The League has grown in profile on the court a great deal in the last five years, and obviously its academic reputation remains second to none. Cornell’s run to the Sweet 16 in 2010 showed what the champion of this league is capable of. Recent improvements in programs across the Ivy League have made our games tougher than ever before. We are fortunate to be able to attract some of the finest student-athletes in the country to Cornell University!
As we head into the holidays, it is important to remember those whose sacrifice makes it possible for us to enjoy this great game of college basketball. I am happy to see events like Operation Hardwood and this year’s 2011 Carrier Classic which honor then men and women of our armed services. Two major events take place this week for our military. I hope that you wish all the members of our Armed Forces a safe and Happy Veteran’s Day. Also, a reminder to all that yesterday marked the 236th birthday of the United States Marines Corps. I am proud to count my dad, my uncle, and soon my youngest brother, in their numbers.
I wish all the coaches, players, and fans of college basketball an outstanding start to this season!
Go Big Red!!!
