MONROE - The tip off to the basketball season will be an emotional time for Monroe senior Bryan Tordoff and the boys basketball team.
The Cheesemakers are still dealing with the death of Monsignor Thomas Campion, who died at his home Nov. 12. The Monroe boys basketball team will wear black patches on their jerseys in honor of Campion this season.
"There is no way to replace T.C.," Tordoff said. "That is just a way to remember him."
The team will be going to the visitation today and funeral Saturday. About half of the team will be involved in the funeral Mass. The Cheesemakers then open the season at 6 p.m. Saturday at Brodhead. The season opener will also feature the Monroe girls basketball team taking on Brodhead following the boys game.
"I think a lot of it will hit us Friday and Saturday that T.C. is not with us," Monroe boys basketball coach Pat Murphy said. "There are a lot of subplots to this game. They (Brodhead) are coming off the state football finals and we are dealing with the death of T.C."
Campion started the Apostolate to the Handicapped that both Tordoff and senior Michael Barrett have been a part of since their freshman year.
"The big thing about T.C. is he never pressed religion on us," Tordoff said. "He was a guy a lot of us would confide in. We could tell him anything and he would have our back."
Barrett said his most memorable times with Campion were the jokes he shared during team dinners.
"T.C. always had wise words," he said. "It's a huge loss. He was very close to a lot of us. Any of us would have done anything to help him."
Murphy said a lot of coaches and players will be looking into the stands where Campion cheered on the Cheesemakers.
"He's been a great role model for a lot of us," Murphy said. "His impact is way beyond what I can comprehend. He will be dearly missed."
Monroe girls basketball coach Sam Mathiason will be making his head coaching debut with the Cheesemakers. Mathiason took over the head coaching post following Kevin Keen's retirement as a coach, athletic director and teacher after last school year.
Mathiason served six years as Monroe's assistant coach. Replacing a legendary coach is not new for Mathiason. Mathiason coached at Monona Grove seven years after replacing Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Kent Evenstad. Evenstad had compiled a 207-48 record in 11 seasons and led MG to three WIAA state tournament appearances. Keen compiled a 394-127 mark as Monroe's coach and seven state tournaments the last 22 years.
"I know it's a big test in front of me to follow coach Keen," Mathiason said. "In his 22 years of coaching, I can only hope I can win the same number of conference championships and state tournaments. I have never wanted it to be about me. My job is to teach basketball and do the best on the court."
The rivalry between Brodhead and Monroe is expected to draw a lot of fans similar to the Snack Bowl double-header the Cheesemakers play with Freeport.
"It's a great test for us," Brodhead girls basketball coach Brad Pickett said. "It's Monroe-Brodhead. That's always been a big rivalry. They (Monroe) have a great tradition and Sam will continue that."
The Cheesemakers are still dealing with the death of Monsignor Thomas Campion, who died at his home Nov. 12. The Monroe boys basketball team will wear black patches on their jerseys in honor of Campion this season.
"There is no way to replace T.C.," Tordoff said. "That is just a way to remember him."
The team will be going to the visitation today and funeral Saturday. About half of the team will be involved in the funeral Mass. The Cheesemakers then open the season at 6 p.m. Saturday at Brodhead. The season opener will also feature the Monroe girls basketball team taking on Brodhead following the boys game.
"I think a lot of it will hit us Friday and Saturday that T.C. is not with us," Monroe boys basketball coach Pat Murphy said. "There are a lot of subplots to this game. They (Brodhead) are coming off the state football finals and we are dealing with the death of T.C."
Campion started the Apostolate to the Handicapped that both Tordoff and senior Michael Barrett have been a part of since their freshman year.
"The big thing about T.C. is he never pressed religion on us," Tordoff said. "He was a guy a lot of us would confide in. We could tell him anything and he would have our back."
Barrett said his most memorable times with Campion were the jokes he shared during team dinners.
"T.C. always had wise words," he said. "It's a huge loss. He was very close to a lot of us. Any of us would have done anything to help him."
Murphy said a lot of coaches and players will be looking into the stands where Campion cheered on the Cheesemakers.
"He's been a great role model for a lot of us," Murphy said. "His impact is way beyond what I can comprehend. He will be dearly missed."
Monroe girls basketball coach Sam Mathiason will be making his head coaching debut with the Cheesemakers. Mathiason took over the head coaching post following Kevin Keen's retirement as a coach, athletic director and teacher after last school year.
Mathiason served six years as Monroe's assistant coach. Replacing a legendary coach is not new for Mathiason. Mathiason coached at Monona Grove seven years after replacing Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Kent Evenstad. Evenstad had compiled a 207-48 record in 11 seasons and led MG to three WIAA state tournament appearances. Keen compiled a 394-127 mark as Monroe's coach and seven state tournaments the last 22 years.
"I know it's a big test in front of me to follow coach Keen," Mathiason said. "In his 22 years of coaching, I can only hope I can win the same number of conference championships and state tournaments. I have never wanted it to be about me. My job is to teach basketball and do the best on the court."
The rivalry between Brodhead and Monroe is expected to draw a lot of fans similar to the Snack Bowl double-header the Cheesemakers play with Freeport.
"It's a great test for us," Brodhead girls basketball coach Brad Pickett said. "It's Monroe-Brodhead. That's always been a big rivalry. They (Monroe) have a great tradition and Sam will continue that."
