Just last season, Cal Poly men's basketball clinched the 2014 Big West Tournament title for the first time in program history. Hear from guard Ridge Shipley and coach Joe Callero on what it felt like to become the lowest seed in Big West Tournament history at No. 7 to upset the No. 2 and No. 1 seeds on consecutive nights before taking the crown in a 61-59 final over CSUN. For the first time ever, the Mustangs got to dance.
“The biggest shot in maybe Cal Poly Mustang basketball history,
is made by a freshman.” –ESPN play-by-play Mark Jones
SOPHOMORE GUARD RIDGE SHIPLEY
COACH JOE CALLERO
“The right team, is having a senior who’s willing to pass it to a freshman,
and having a freshman who’s willing to take the shot
because it’s the right shot.” – Coach Callero
HEAR FROM THE MUSTANGS:
Kennedy Poe – JR, Cheer
“I was standing courtside, my eyes were closed. I was praying – I was praying something was going to happen. Ridge [Shipley] made the shot and all I remember is screaming pandemonium, crying, rushing the floor… and after that, I don’t remember much, I just know that I was happy.”
Taylor Antram – JR, Cheer
“Something I remember is being the underdog – it was truly incredible to be there for that last game. I didn’t think I was going to be there. To be courtside and to be able to watch the team was impeccable. It was great to win and to get excited to go off to March Madness and make school history.”
Dionna Maroudas – JR, Cheer
“I just remember when we became Big West champions, and it was an eruption in the stadium. It was an amazing experience.
Brian Bennett – JR, Men's Basketball F
“When the buzzer went off I was right next to senior Jamal Johnson. It was nuts, we just ran and I remember screaming so much. It was so exciting… you’re a little relieved. The stress was gone. We had just done something that no team in Cal Poly Division I history had ever done. It was awesome to be a part of that team. Every guy on that court, I’m pretty sure at one point or another dropped a tear of happiness and joy.”
Michael Bolden – SR, Men's Basketball W
“Everybody charging the court – that was cool. When the buzzer went off, the whole team jumped up, it was crazy. It’s one of the best experiences of my life so far.”
“The fact that we had so many people down there, even though it was in Anaheim, a lot of my friends came from all over so seeing them storm the court with us was a lot of fun.”
Reese Morgan – JR, Men's Basketball G
“When that buzzer went off, I was on the bench. I remember Ridge [Shipley] hit that huge three, and from there it was pandemonium. I was hoping not to get run over by anyone. It was cool to see all of the fans, we had a good amount of fans and that was actually really cool that they came all of the way down for [the championship game]. We got to cut down the nets, and that was a sweet moment. It was a moment that I had wanted for a long time.”
Sam Kirby – Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach
“When Ridge [Shipley] hit the three, it was amazing. I knew it was the right play. As the coach you sit on the sideline and that’s what you worry about, guys making the right play.”
“Everybody rushing the floor, it was incredible. IT was surreal. Those are the type are the type of moments that you dream about, and when they come true it’s hard to believe it.”
Jon Fisher – SR, Student
“I was at work so me and all of my coworkers were watching the game even while we were serving. It was amazing, our whole bar area was cheering extremely loud. I had been following, I’m a big fan. It was something new for our school. We’ve always been known for academics so for us to be bigger for athletics was a lot of fun.”