This past month, the Men’s Basketball team left their practice gear in Mobile and grabbed that dusty old box from the attic labeled “When Away From Basketball.” There, they found the only two things needed for a competitive, but relaxing weekend: their sunglasses and their sandals.

It’s retreat time.

They drove just shy of two and a half hours north to Pine Lake Fellowship Camp in Meridian, Mississippi, where they spent a weekend engaging in activities that included fishing, cornhole, ax throwing, ping pong, four square, kayaking, numerous team building activities, and eating some darn good food.

This retreat is not just a spontaneous weekend getaway. It is a strategically planned excursion aimed to bring the team closer than a Chinese finger trap.

Newly promoted Chief of Staff, Mikel Kosich, explained how important the retreat is. “In order to build a successful team and accomplish the goal of winning the conference championship, we must become a unit. We must become one. We must understand each other,” said Kosich.

“The teams who cut down the nets in March, may not always be the most talented teams. What wins is the team that is the most connected,” said Kosich. “Having a close-knit group is the most important attribute a team can have.”

Kosich said the lesson of the retreat is to “Just live. Be yourself and don’t hold back, so everyone can really get to know you. Grow closer, so when it is time to step on the court and times get tough, you have such a strong bond with your brothers, that you can not be shaken.”

The team did exactly that.

Similar to last year, the first night was spent sharing a little bit about their lives. Players and support staff opened up about their stories and what they’ve had to overcome to be the men and athletes they are today. Their stories were inspiring and welded bonds that will go on to last a lifetime.

The second day was spent deep in the woods where the team worked through a variety of problem-solving and team-building tasks. “Each of these scenarios helps build a culture of working together. It solves problems and allows us to move on to the next, much like our upcoming schedule,” said Kosich.

Julian Margrave, the 6’11” sophomore from Louisburg, Kansas, said the most memorable moment of the retreat was the night when players performed impressions of the coaches. “It was hilarious,” said Margrave. “We’ve got some guys that, if they were behind a curtain, I would’ve thought they were actually Coach Riley or Coach Rock. The impressions were spot on.”

“We probably have the funniest team and staff in the country. I can’t go a day without laughing,” said Margrave. “If you’re having a bad day, you know you’re going to cheer up when you’re around the guys.”

All the players had a great time being around each other the entire weekend. The retreat was a preview of what their future road trips would look and feel like. The team-building activities further strengthened the team’s chemistry. “We all care for each other on and off the court, it doesn’t matter who we’re with or what we’re doing, we are always together,” Margrave said.

Margrave mentions how important brotherhood is in the team’s chemistry. “It’s very important to have brotherhood,” said Margrave. “At the end of the day, we all realize that the ball will stop bouncing. This connection that we’ve made from competing and enjoying the sport is something that is forever.”

Margrave said he and his weekend partner, Ethan Kizer, were the best performers of the retreat. Kizer, a 6’5″ freshman, from Metamora, Illinois hopes to accelerate his game by getting in the weight room. “We stayed undefeated during the cornhole tournament while also winning the team Olympics,” Margrave said.

The Jags have their eyes set on a conference tournament championship and an NCAA tournament appearance. After last year’s 71-66 loss in the conference championship to the University of Louisiana, the Jags have a fire under their feet.

“We all came together as a team and set a goal of winning the Sun Belt championship,” Margrave said. “This is something we know is within reach. We work our tails off every day to get there.”

Assistant Director of Basketball Operations, Charlie Chappetto, echoed this sentiment. “This season just matters more,” Chappetto said. 

The Jags are ready to Burn the Boats, and they will need a crowd of support at the opening game against the University of Mobile at the Mitchell Center on November 6, 2023. On November 14, the Jags will travel to Tuscaloosa to face off against Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.