Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Coaches, Student-Athletes Celebrate Nation's Birthday
7/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
Bulldog broadcasts behind the scenes
As the nation celebrates its 230th birthday today, several members of the Bulldog football team and others in the athletics department took a moment to reflect on what it means to be an American and answered the following question: "What does the Fourth of July mean to you?"
- Tyler Clutts, Defensive End: "The Fourth of July represents what our forefathers did and what our country has become as a result. We need to remember those people who stood up in order for us to have the country and freedoms we have today. I'm thankful."
- John Baxter, Associate Head Coach: "The Fourth of July means I'm off (work). Seriously, being an America means that it's an absolute blessing beyond belief, especially when you consider the conditions in which people in other parts of the world have to live their lives. I count my blessing everyday that I live in a place where I can do what I want when I want without scrutiny."
- Marcus McCauley, Cornerback: "I like the Fourth of July because it's the only time of the year I'm able to be with my whole family. We all get together and we don't get to do that very often. Being an American to me means that we have it a lot easier than anyone else in the world. We've had a lot of things handed to us. It should be a time when we remember that we have it better than anyone else. We don't have the struggles that so many people in the rest of world live with. It's about more than just about the fireworks, and we should never take it for granted."
- Steve Cleveland, Men's Basketball Head Coach: "July 4th is a great family holiday. There is such a sense of national pride associated with this day, especially when you the take time to reflect on and appreciate what our forefathers have done. I love the fireworks. I'm proud to be an American."
- Brett Frank, Women's Basketball Assistant Coach: "I plan on attending barbecues with family and friends. I think it's great to be part of a nation that promotes individuality and allows us to make our own choices."
- Steve Susdorf, Baseball: "The 4th of July reminds me of the pride we have in our freedom, the sacrifices everyone has made to create it and the struggles we go through to keep it."
- Alison Pitton, Volleyball: "Being an American to me means that I have many individual rights that people from other countries do not have. I feel blessed to be able to make my own decisions and learn to live with those consequences. Being an American means being an individual."
- Laura Berg, Three-time U.S. Olympic softball gold medalist and Bulldog assistant coach: "The Fourth of July is a very special holiday. It is a time when we can honor those who fought and stills fights for our freedom. For those who lost their lives defending our great country, it's a celebration of what we have come to enjoy. I love being an American and to represent the USA is an honor."
- Margie Wright, Softball Head Coach: "To be an American means that as individuals we are free and enjoy inalienable rights. To those who risked everything before us and those who continue to fight for our freedom allows us to enjoy what we have today. We can not take anything for granted. Also, by celebrating July 4th with your family is a way to say `thank you' for their sacrifices as well."
- Merryann Barr, Softball: "July 4th to me means spending time with family; it is a family day. It's a day to be together, have a BBQ, watch baseball and enjoy the fireworks. I'm just very proud to be an American because of what has been allowed to us as citizens and how fortunate we are to live a free people."
- Quinton Hosley, Men's Basketball: "When I think of July 4th the first things that come to mind are cook outs, kids and fireworks. It's a time to get together and catch up with everyone. We can't light fireworks in New York, but I enjoy watching them."
The Fresno State Athletics Department wishes all Bulldog Fans a happy and safe Fourth of July celebration.
Join the State - Fresno State! Get tickets online 24/7 at www.gobulldogs.com or by calling the Bulldog Ticket Office (559-278-DOGS), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Ticket Office is located at the south entrance of the stadium off Bulldog Lane. Fresno State's 2006 home schedule- which kicks off Sept. 1 against Nevada- features opponents such as Oregon, Colorado State, Hawai'i, New Mexico State and Idaho.
Players Mentioned
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