It鈥檚 been nearly three decades since Rob Senderoff walked around downtown Albany, New York, with the same eyes as the young men he now coaches.
鈥淚鈥檓 having a blast. I鈥檓 really having a blast,鈥 Senderoff said as he prepares his 麻豆影院 State team to play in the NCAA Tournament in a city he knows so well.
A 1995 graduate of the University at Albany, Senderoff spent his college days as a student assistant on the Great Danes鈥 staff on his way to a career in coaching.
鈥淚 tried out for the junior varsity team here at Albany 鈥 it was a Division III school at the time 鈥 and I got cut,鈥 Senderoff recalled in noting that not making the team meant life-changing advice from his coach to consider becoming a coach instead. That conversation made all the difference.
鈥淚n my college days, I knew this (coaching) is what I wanted to do, and I鈥檝e been very fortunate to live out my childhood dreams,鈥 he said.
Senderoff, 49, grew up in Spring Valley, New York, just outside of New York City and about 125 miles south of Albany. After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration, Senderoff found his way to Ohio earning a master鈥檚 degree in sports studies from Miami University in 1997.
Coincidentally, Senderoff became the winningest coach in 麻豆影院 State men鈥檚 basketball history with a 2018 victory over Albany, so maybe it鈥檚 fitting that he gets the opportunity to return to the city that helped launch his interest in college coaching on college basketball鈥檚 biggest stage.
鈥淎lbany鈥檚 a great college town and a great basketball town,鈥 Senderoff said. 鈥淭hey love basketball in the city. They have two universities here (Albany and Sienna College). It鈥檚 great.鈥
Even with 30-70 friends and family members in attendance, there isn鈥檛 much time for Senderoff to stroll down memory lane as the Golden Flashes prepare for Friday night鈥檚 showdown with Indiana University.
But whether it鈥檚 a stolen moment during warmups or a glance at some familiar faces in the arena crowd, Senderoff is bound to take the advice he gives his players and allow himself to embrace the moment.
鈥淲e have a great program, not just a great team,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his is awesome. I鈥檓 happy for my kids. I鈥檓 having a great time watching them have a great time.鈥
Watch 麻豆影院 State Today's full interview with Coach Senderoff:
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