Bobby Hurley is bringing some excitement to the ASU basketball program this year, and people are starting to notice. Coach Hurley coached his first ASU game on November 13th, 2015. In the short time since Bobby started, we have started to hear people talk about how much he is getting out of his players, how passionate he is about his job, and about how things are starting to turn around for the ASU basketball program.
Excited to coach my 1st game at ASU tonight! Come support the 2015-16 Sun Devils. @942Crew @ASU @TheSunDevils
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) November 13, 2015
We are also beginning to learn more about his style, his drive, and his determination. Sure, Bobby is well known in many basketball circles, and sure, he was a great hire for the program, but it takes a while before the average fan really begins to notice what is happening over at Wells Fargo Arena. Not only are more fans starting to notice his program, but he’s starting to bring out some super fans like Olympic Gold medalist and future Sun Devil swimming coach, Michael Phelps. Phelps was at today’s ASU vs UofA game, and he was shown on the stadium screens during a timeout and got a huge Sun Devil welcome.
This guy knows gold. #ForksUp with @MichaelPhelps and Sun Devil Club supporter Bart Wear at @SunDevilHoops. #AZvsASU pic.twitter.com/M8BZvy3EHw
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) January 3, 2016
This installment of the Duel in the Dessert brought out your typical UofA fans and their holier than thou attitudes of “we’re an elite basketball program, you know.” I was at the game, and it was actually a LOT of fun to watch. Sure, I wanted ASU to win, but they played well against a “#8” team. The Devils made them a little nervous, and Bobby Hurley made a ton of new fans along the way. His ( and his players ) drive, his passion and his will to win is evident in how he responded to the entire game.

We were near the end of the game, it was close, some UofA fans were starting to think it was too close for comfort, and we had a couple of questionable calls. Two technical fouls were called within minutes of each other, and the next thing you know, Bobby Hurley gets ejected! His reaction fired up his team, and it certainly fired up his fan base. People in the stands loved it and the media / social media crowd was eating it up, as well. ( big thanks to my friend Bob for the pic of Bobby after getting his T! )
With a new attitude, a new coach, and with some early rumors of Hurley’s recruiting successes, people are feeling like we are getting closer to a time when our friends down south won’t always say they are looking forward to basketball season. This was a great game for Bobby to get people excited about. The audience for ASU vs UofA is normally one of the largest of the season and this kind of thing helps let people know that we play more than baseball and football at ASU. Nice game today, coach! We’re looking forward to watching you lead the team to much more in the future!
Here’s a video from today’s ASU vs UofA game from when Bobby Hurley gets ejected. It seems to fire him up, and it certainly fired up the home town crowd.
Create A Winning Culture:
The Sun Devils are looking to create a winning culture. From Athletic director Ray Anderson to each and every sport, there is talk about changing from average fans to raving fans. From average teams to elite teams. This all starts with hard work, a great attitude and with a real fan base. ASU seems to be doing their part, I hope more fans begin to help them out in the near future.
We have an awesome new football stadium being built, and we have coaches with the right attitude to lead high-level programs. Sure, it is going to take some more wins to get the program(s) really charged up, but we are seeing signs of what is coming. I have to admit that I was embarrassed to be sitting 10 rows from the court and hear a “down in front” call from 2 rows behind me at the game. When I turned to tell the UofA guy to stand up, I saw an old dude in an ASU shirt stuffing his face with a huge bucket of popcorn. I reminded him that this was a sporting event and that we were playing the Cats. It’s time to support the Devils!
Winning takes hard work and dedication. It’s the same in real life as it is in the world of sports. If you want success, work hard and surround yourself with great people. If you are buying or selling a home, don’t hire some lazy agent who sits in the stands with a big bucket of popcorn, hire someone who actually works hard, has a winning plan and can get the job done.
This is a video from Instagram that gives another angle, but is just as much fun to watch. Go Devils!
Jay – I love how you promote Nick Bastian!!! He is my Favorite Realtor!!