As promised, here's the Senior Night Speech from Kyle Taber and the introduction given by IU basketball coach Tom Crean.
Enjoy.
IU Coach Tom Crean...
"This crowd never ceases to amaze us, whether it was Hoosier Hysteria or the final home game for our senior, you people deserve so much credit for what you mean to all of us. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Let's hear it again for our wonderful band and our wonderful cheerleaders. Let's hear it for all of the seniors who have been through everything at Indiana up in that crowd for helping keeping this tradition alive.
"Obviously we don't have all of the results that we would like but I think if tonight has proved anything, of if this year has proved anything, it's that we have a group of people that represent Indiana very well. Very well. The epitome of that representation comes from our only senior. And what he has meant to this program since the first day I met him April 2 to where we are tonight. He has taken every bit of grief, every bit of criticism, every bit of tough coaching and become an unbelievable part of Indiana history for what he has had to endure. I think I can speak on behalf of all of his coaches at Indiana and as his coach now, he has meant a great deal to everyone here. He took care of his academics, he took care of his social life, he took care of his basketball and he represents each and every one of you the right way as the only senior member of this Indiana basketball team.
"What I'll remember, and I know I'll have lots of memories, but with Kyle this past week when he didn't practice Thursday, or Friday, or very, very limited Saturday at Penn State because of an injured ankle. He wasn't sure if he would be able to play. But played 35 minutes in another valiant effort by our team. That's real leadership. That is true Indiana leadership. One final time, I proudly present to you our senior, Kyle Taber.''
IU senior forward Kyle Taber....
(Huge ovation)
"What can I say: It's Indiana. Look at this: A team who's 6-23 and we're playing in front of a packed house that's louder than any place in the country. It doesn't get any better than this.
"Our fans are so great. In Maui, we got beat by almost 40 and got a standing ovation. It's unbelievable. There's nothing like it. I'm proud to be part of it.
"First, I want to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to play for this wonderful program.
"I'd also like to thank my mom and dad, who are with me right now. They supported me the whole way, gave me a lot of courage and a lot of words that helped guide me through these five years. I want to thank them and I love them very much I'd also like to thank my step parents. They've been here every game to support me and I appreciate that. I'd also like to thank my brother and sister. They made it all the way from Los Angeles and Las Vegas to be here tonight. I love you guys, thank you. They're our biggest fans on the West Coast.
"I'd also like to thank my grandparents. It's all their first times here. Up there, up here in the wheelchair, making it for the first time. Thank you, guys.
"Next, I'd like to thank my friends. I think there are probably 25 of them who made the trip here tonight. They've been with me the whole time and given me support. Thank you very much.
"I'd like to thank one of my best friends who's been with me this whole time, Jana (Doyle). She's been here for me the whole way, supporting me, and without her I wouldn't be here.
"Next I'd like to thank Coach Crean for everything he's done for me, pushing me to become an all-around player. I really appreciate it, Coach.
"I'd also like to thank all the assistant coaches around here. You've been on me every step of the way, but it's made me a better person. I appreciate it. Coach Seltzer. Coach Buckley. Coach Roe (Roshown McLeod) My boy Peter Gash. Coach Grossman. Coach Wat (Jeff Watkinson), who's been with me three years now and made me in a little better shape than I was before.
"I'd like to thank my teammates for playing so hard tonight and giving us an opportunity to win against a top 10 team. It means everything to me. Thank you, guys.
"My roommate, Mr. Jobe. I was a little disappointed last night, Tijan said he'd write my speech for me but he didn't come though, so I had to write it on my hotel notepad. But I still love you, Tijan
.
"All the managers and everything you've done for me, rebounding and doing anything I've asked. It means a lot. I know you guys are everywhere, doing all the behind-the-scenes work. Thank you very much. The student trainers, too.
"Tim Garl. I've spent a lot of time with Tim Garl. He's been with me every step of the way since I've been here. He's the only guy who has been here with me the whole time I think. I appreciate everything you've done for me Tim, keeping me somewhat healthy. All the doctors: Dr. Rink, Dr. Ahlfeld, Dr. Heady (sp?) and Dr. Hipskin (sp?). Any time anything goes wrong they're there in a second. They're great people and they're doing great things for this program. I really appreciate it.
"The new athletic director Fred Glass who is here at every game, even on the road trips. Selling 5 dollar balcony seats to get this place packed. It's great and thank you so much.
"B.J. (McElroy) and Beth (McLaughlin) sitting over here. Thank you so much. They would do anything for anybody in this program. They do a lot of things for the coaches and they mean a lot to me. Thank you so much. Kimya (Massey) and Marnie (Mooney). Without them I probably wouldn't have my degree. They're the academic support people and everyone else up there. They've helped me get my degree and into a Masters program which is really nice of them so I appreciate all the help you've done for me.
"My high school coach, coach Chitty (Brent Chitty), I know he's here tonight somewhere. There he is (he points into the stands). Without him I definitely wouldn't be here. He's done a lot for me and made me a better player.
"A couple of people that nobody really knows about: Our previous chaplains from a couple of years ago. Galen Dolby and Tom (name inaudible but sounded like Rust) and Galen's wife Laura. They've done tremendous things for me, helping me with Bible studies and all this stuff. And Galen unfortunately passed away a few years ago but bless his heart I know he's looking up .. or looking down on me so I want to thank him for everything.
"To all my former teammates and coaches that have done everything for me as well. I've learned a lot from everybody in my time here. Four head coaches, 30 assistant coaches probably, a lot of different players. I've learned everything from everybody so I thank all of them as well.
"The band. You guys are great. I love the songs. I love the fight song. All the things you guys do, all your support, being here for us. It really means a lot to us. Also the cheerleaders. Always getting the crowd fired up. It means a lot to us as well.
"All the media people and everybody around, all the academic people upstairs that makes this program go. I want to thank all of them. J.D. (Campbell) and people like that. They're great as well.
"And last I'd like to thank the Hoosier Nation who has been wonderful. You guys are tremendous. I can't say enough about you guys. This program is headed in the right direction as you can see tonight. We have a team with six walk-ons, five freshmen scholarship players, two junior college transfers and you guys helped us come within one or two possessions of beating a top 10 team. It's incredible what you guys do for us. Thank you.
"I guess that's all of my thank you's. I just want to say one last time that this has been an incredible experience for me. I appreciate what everyone has done for me. I will remember this for the rest of my life and thank you all and God bless.''
That's the end of the Taber's Senior Speech.
Now, I'm not going to make any speeches but I would like to thank my colleague Bob Kravitz, who helped me transcribe Taber's speech so that we could leave Assembly Hall at a decent hour tonight. Thanks Bob.
