[Sly Fox]

From the SIDs ...

Reunited In The Blue Ridge

February 12, 2008
Lynchburg, Va.

Story first appeared in Flames Illustrated, Jan. 15-29 issue

When Liberty Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ritchie McKay first started to feel that the Flames’ head coaching job was coming to fruition, he immediately thought of an old friend who could be a perfect fit on his new staff.

The friend on McKay’s mind was Dale Layer, who had spent the last seven seasons as the head coach at Colorado State. While in Fort Collins, he had led the Rams to the 2003 Mountain West Conference Championship and a narrow defeat to Duke in the NCAA Tournament. At the conclusion of the 2006-07 season though, the university administration informed Layer they were going a different direction and had decided not to bring him back.

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[ToTheLeft]

2003 was a great year.

Matt Newton, 7 feet tall, holding down the center position.

I honestly thought we were going to pull off the upset on Duke... that team was a team of destiny.

I was very happy to see Layer and McKay having ties to the Mountain West, mainly CSU. I know I sound like a homer, but there is some good basketball played out in the Rocky Mountains.

Hopefully we hang on to this staff for a while, including coach Soucie and Aker, all of these guys are quality coaches and quality people.

And of course Tom Crom.

[Chris Lang]

Matt Nelson.

[ToTheLeft]

Matt Nelson.

Thanks... I am getting to be an .

Glad you knew that... or looked it up.

[Chris Lang]

I knew it because my roommate in Flagstaff at the time was a CSU grad and he was going nuts through that whole tourney run. Plus, I wrote that Layer story in December, so the name was still relatively fresh in my mind.

I have no idea where I just put my keys though.

[ToTheLeft]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/pr ... yerId=3699

Ahh Matt, where have you gone, my friend?

[ToTheLeft]

I knew it because my roommate in Flagstaff at the time was a CSU grad and he was going nuts through that whole tourney run. Plus, I wrote that Layer story in December, so the name was still relatively fresh in my mind.

I have no idea where I just put my keys though.

Go Rams!

and Flames to a greater extent. But, still, go Rams!

-hums fight song-

[ToTheLeft]

Fight on you stalwart Ram team
On to the goal!
Tear the Buffalo line asunder
As Down the field we thunder.

Knights of the Green and Gold
Fight with all your might!
Fight on you stalwart Ram team
Fight! Fight! Fight!