A Texas Homecoming
9/25/2013 10:18:00 AM | Volleyball
Photo Gallery
Earlier this month, senior outside hitter Caroline Brown got the chance to do something she has rarely done in her collegiate career: play in front of family and friends in her home state of Texas. On September 6 and 7, Brown hit the court in the Lone Star state for just the second time while in a Davidson uniform as the 'Cats played a three-game slate at the Southern Methodist Invitational in Dallas.
Brown has been a standout player for the Wildcats for four seasons, and that weekend in early September was no different. As the squad went 2-1 to take the runner-up spot at the event, the El Paso native earned all-tournament team honors for finishing the weekend averaging a team-leading 3.64 kills per set with seven service aces and 3.73 digs per set. However, this time those close to her were around to enjoy her performance – despite the 10-hour drive (or 90 minute flight) from her hometown.
"It was such a special experience. I was beyond excited to play in Texas my last season at Davidson. Going to school so far from home, it was nice to come back to a familiar place that even though wasn't my hometown, still was a taste of home," said Brown. "I love Texas. I'm sure people get annoyed with my Texas pride all the way in North Carolina (only Texans would understand), but ever since Coach Willis started as head coach here, I would continually go into his office and bug him about planning a trip to Texas my senior year. I would secretly write it on his white board to remind him to plan it! Luckily, he went to school in Texas and had many connections as well, so he was never opposed to the idea."
In addition to her parents, Brown had the support of both sets of grandparents, her sister, two aunts and eight cousins sitting in the stands. Alongside her relatives, a number of Brown's hometown pals drove in from Baylor and Texas A&M to show their support. They decided to bring along some of their college friends as well, ensuring the Wildcats had quite the cheering contingent. A number of pro-Davidson posters were spotted and numerous Wildcat cheers were echoed through the Dedman Center, creating quite the home-away-from-home environment for the 'Cats.
"I was amazed with the amount of family and friends that came out to support us! There were three games and different fans at each game, but probably the best turnout was our evening match against SMU," said Brown. "Although we played in the SMU Rec Center, the gym was packed, and without a doubt the Davidson fans outnumbered the Mustangs. I know that Coach Willis had former players and friends that came out, and a few of the girls on the team had Texas connections from summer camps or family friends, but I think I had a pretty good fan base as well."
Head coach Chris Willis was also pretty impressed with the Brown contingent.
"I think the Brown/Miller family out numbered any group in the gym. Caroline's family was a tremendous support to the team that weekend with their cheering and hosting. We were thrilled to be at SMU where her grandfather was a basketball player in the '50's and I think it meant a lot to him as well. Having so many of our other players' families added to the atmosphere and made it feel like we were playing in front of a home crowd. We have a special group of parents and I hope we never take that for granted."
However, Willis had his own group of supporters at the matches. Another Wildcat with Texas connections, Willis spent four years in Waco as an undergraduate and player at Baylor. His wife, Leslie, hails from nearby Arlington and the couple used it as an opportunity to introduce some friends and relatives to young daughters Hayden and Harper.
"The trip to Dallas was wonderful for the team and personally for me. Being a Baylor alum, it allowed me to reconnect with a few former schoolmates who are still in Texas," said Willis. "As well, my family, including my mother-in-law, was able to travel with us and spend time with several friends and family members. I also saw several former players from the area, including an All-American, who drove four and half hours to watch us play. I think we made a few new Davidson volleyball fans in Dallas."
Aside from simply playing in Texas, the fact that the tournament was held at Southern Methodist University was special to the Brown family for another reason. Brown's maternal grandfather, Tom Miller, played basketball for the Mustangs from 1953-56. A 6-6 center, Miller, or "Big Daddy" as his grandchildren refer to him was a member of SMU's Final Four team in 1956 and is able to boast of once defending five-time NBA MVP an 12-time all-star Bill Russell in the Mustangs' loss to the San Francisco Dons in the NCAA Tournament semifinals. Brown's uncle, Mark Tomlin, was a swimmer at SMU as well. As a child, Brown had heard stories of her grandfather's time in Dallas and once looked to follow in his footsteps.
"I had been to the campus a few times growing up and actually looked to play volleyball there at one point," said Brown. "Big Daddy wanted his children and grandchildren to go their so badly that when my mom and her brother chose to go to Texas over SMU, he told the grandchildren that he would buy us each a car if we went there. Unfortunately, I never got that car, but I know he couldn't have been more excited to watch us play at his alma-meter. As much as he wanted to rep his SMU shirt, I made him promise that he would wear his Davidson polo!"
After their three-game slate was finished on Saturday Brown was able to give her teammates a taste of the Texas life, particularly two of the staples of lone-star living – football and country music. Some of the team took in SMU's football team's 31-30 win, while the squad hit up Katy Trail Ice House for live for Tex-Mex, barbeque and live music to cap the trip.
As she wraps up her playing career this November, her trip "home" will always be one of the highlights.
"Although Dallas is pretty far from El Paso, having so many family and friends come out was such a blessing and made it feel like home."
Coach Willis agrees.
"Overall, the girls had a wonderful time and got to see a different region of the country. Many of the parents also commented that they love planning small vacations around our trips because we go to fun cities and they get to spend time with their daughters."
Earlier this month, senior outside hitter Caroline Brown got the chance to do something she has rarely done in her collegiate career: play in front of family and friends in her home state of Texas. On September 6 and 7, Brown hit the court in the Lone Star state for just the second time while in a Davidson uniform as the 'Cats played a three-game slate at the Southern Methodist Invitational in Dallas.
Brown has been a standout player for the Wildcats for four seasons, and that weekend in early September was no different. As the squad went 2-1 to take the runner-up spot at the event, the El Paso native earned all-tournament team honors for finishing the weekend averaging a team-leading 3.64 kills per set with seven service aces and 3.73 digs per set. However, this time those close to her were around to enjoy her performance – despite the 10-hour drive (or 90 minute flight) from her hometown.
"It was such a special experience. I was beyond excited to play in Texas my last season at Davidson. Going to school so far from home, it was nice to come back to a familiar place that even though wasn't my hometown, still was a taste of home," said Brown. "I love Texas. I'm sure people get annoyed with my Texas pride all the way in North Carolina (only Texans would understand), but ever since Coach Willis started as head coach here, I would continually go into his office and bug him about planning a trip to Texas my senior year. I would secretly write it on his white board to remind him to plan it! Luckily, he went to school in Texas and had many connections as well, so he was never opposed to the idea."
In addition to her parents, Brown had the support of both sets of grandparents, her sister, two aunts and eight cousins sitting in the stands. Alongside her relatives, a number of Brown's hometown pals drove in from Baylor and Texas A&M to show their support. They decided to bring along some of their college friends as well, ensuring the Wildcats had quite the cheering contingent. A number of pro-Davidson posters were spotted and numerous Wildcat cheers were echoed through the Dedman Center, creating quite the home-away-from-home environment for the 'Cats.
"I was amazed with the amount of family and friends that came out to support us! There were three games and different fans at each game, but probably the best turnout was our evening match against SMU," said Brown. "Although we played in the SMU Rec Center, the gym was packed, and without a doubt the Davidson fans outnumbered the Mustangs. I know that Coach Willis had former players and friends that came out, and a few of the girls on the team had Texas connections from summer camps or family friends, but I think I had a pretty good fan base as well."
Head coach Chris Willis was also pretty impressed with the Brown contingent.
"I think the Brown/Miller family out numbered any group in the gym. Caroline's family was a tremendous support to the team that weekend with their cheering and hosting. We were thrilled to be at SMU where her grandfather was a basketball player in the '50's and I think it meant a lot to him as well. Having so many of our other players' families added to the atmosphere and made it feel like we were playing in front of a home crowd. We have a special group of parents and I hope we never take that for granted."
However, Willis had his own group of supporters at the matches. Another Wildcat with Texas connections, Willis spent four years in Waco as an undergraduate and player at Baylor. His wife, Leslie, hails from nearby Arlington and the couple used it as an opportunity to introduce some friends and relatives to young daughters Hayden and Harper.
"The trip to Dallas was wonderful for the team and personally for me. Being a Baylor alum, it allowed me to reconnect with a few former schoolmates who are still in Texas," said Willis. "As well, my family, including my mother-in-law, was able to travel with us and spend time with several friends and family members. I also saw several former players from the area, including an All-American, who drove four and half hours to watch us play. I think we made a few new Davidson volleyball fans in Dallas."
Aside from simply playing in Texas, the fact that the tournament was held at Southern Methodist University was special to the Brown family for another reason. Brown's maternal grandfather, Tom Miller, played basketball for the Mustangs from 1953-56. A 6-6 center, Miller, or "Big Daddy" as his grandchildren refer to him was a member of SMU's Final Four team in 1956 and is able to boast of once defending five-time NBA MVP an 12-time all-star Bill Russell in the Mustangs' loss to the San Francisco Dons in the NCAA Tournament semifinals. Brown's uncle, Mark Tomlin, was a swimmer at SMU as well. As a child, Brown had heard stories of her grandfather's time in Dallas and once looked to follow in his footsteps.
"I had been to the campus a few times growing up and actually looked to play volleyball there at one point," said Brown. "Big Daddy wanted his children and grandchildren to go their so badly that when my mom and her brother chose to go to Texas over SMU, he told the grandchildren that he would buy us each a car if we went there. Unfortunately, I never got that car, but I know he couldn't have been more excited to watch us play at his alma-meter. As much as he wanted to rep his SMU shirt, I made him promise that he would wear his Davidson polo!"
After their three-game slate was finished on Saturday Brown was able to give her teammates a taste of the Texas life, particularly two of the staples of lone-star living – football and country music. Some of the team took in SMU's football team's 31-30 win, while the squad hit up Katy Trail Ice House for live for Tex-Mex, barbeque and live music to cap the trip.
As she wraps up her playing career this November, her trip "home" will always be one of the highlights.
"Although Dallas is pretty far from El Paso, having so many family and friends come out was such a blessing and made it feel like home."
Coach Willis agrees.
"Overall, the girls had a wonderful time and got to see a different region of the country. Many of the parents also commented that they love planning small vacations around our trips because we go to fun cities and they get to spend time with their daughters."
Volleyball - Us vs. Everybody
Monday, January 30
Davidson Volleyball - Carpool Karaoke
Monday, January 23
2021 Volleyball Intro Video
Tuesday, June 28
Catching up with the 'Cats: Chris Willis
Tuesday, April 21
