Following the official press conference earlier in the day, Penn State Basketball hosted an event called “Welcome to Happy Valley Live”, featuring the renowned Jeff Brown, the voice of the Bryce Jordan Center introducing the 14th Head Coach for the Men’s Basketball, Micah Shrewsberry, with those beautiful pipes.
Shrewsberry started by introducing his family through a picture of them taken earlier at the Lion Shrine and then via live video stream labeled as “Shrew’s Crew”, joking about talking to James Franklin about his “speedster” son.
Recorded videos from many PSU athletic coaches were next, highlighted by short interviews with James Franklin and Women’s Basketball Coach Carolyn Kieger:
James Franklin says he was instrumental in Penn State landing Shrewsberry.
"“I was part of the recruitment of Micah,” Franklin said. “Hopefully you’ll join me a walk around campus and downtown. We couldn’t be more excited about you joining us about what you’re going to be able to do not only for the athletic department but for the community department as a whole.”"
Meanwhile, Kieger challenged her counterpart to a game on the Lions’ home court.
“I’ll go get my sneakers (for a one on one battle) right now,” Kieger joked. “My staff is ready for noon ball whenever you are ready.”
Next up were short videos from alumni Ross Travis and Calvin Booth as well as current players Myles Dread and Izaiah Brockington.
Conspiculously absent were any recent players under Pat Chambers like Lamar Stevens or any players currently undeceided about coming back to Penn State. Tim Frazier joined for a short live interview as well.
Tim Frazier: “Coach put me in the right positions (in Boston), gave me the tidbits and the right people to follow. He makes players better men…the best people they can be.”
Short videos and interviews followed with Legion of Blue, reps from the alumni association, Adam Fisher, the Purdue Paint Crew and former coaches Mike Beitzel (Hanover) and Coach Fenlon (DePaul) and finally his personal Pastor. The coup de grace was Boston Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens, who opened with a footbal joke:
“We’ll do whatever we can for Shrew’s Crew as long as we get football tickets.”
#facepalm.
Brad Stevens is a great get for this event, but you gotta prep him at least a little to help avoid basketball always always always being in the shadow of the football program.
Stevens went on, stating “We’ve always consiered the Shrewsberry’s family and we’ve been on this journey together.” It was nice seeing he and his family decked in PSU gear and hopefully he’ll catch a game at the BJC soon.
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics all-star, was one of the final interviews, stating “Shrewsberry is intense and very serious about his craft…but with ways of taking the pressure off and having fun. and was followed by Maria Taylor (ESPN/ABC), congratulating Micah live from the ESPN set before his parents wrapped up the event.
With a peak of 135 viewers, the 55 minute event was set up very similar to the morning event, including the Penn State Basketball social media team pushing the season ticket purchasing in the chat.
This was a significantly lighter and more celebratory in feel, however, with Shrewsberry only getting “welcomes” and “go get em’s” in the chat, avoiding any controversial topics like Pat Chambers or the team in the transfer portal.