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You are here: Home / Sports / Golding, Ricks ‘devastated’ by season’s abrupt ending
Head Coach Joe Golding watches anxiously as his team struggles in the second half. (Photo by David Mitchell)

Golding, Ricks ‘devastated’ by season’s abrupt ending

March 13, 2020 by Owen Simpson

The sound of shoes squeaking, crowds cheering and the anticipation of confetti falling in Katy came to a screeching halt Thursday.

The shock of the decision to cancel the Southland Tournament resonated with head coach Joe Golding and his team when the news broke.

“It’s been a crazy 48 hours,” Golding said. “Obviously they don’t give you a booklet on how to handle this. There’s a lot of different emotions, and I just feel sorry for our team and our three seniors.”

Senior guard Payton Ricks, Trey Lenox and forward Hayden Howell played in what would be their final collegiate game Saturday. Golding took the time to honor the seniors following the Southland conference’s announcement.

“We had a team meeting and let our seniors talk and discussed their careers and everything they’ve done for our program,” Golding said. “I just thanked them. I thanked them for the journey. We call every senior in our program a journey, and I think it was an incredible journey.”

Ricks and Lenox both had the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament last season against Kentucky, but Howell had been recovering from ankle surgery.

“He was a part of our team but didn’t get to suit up,” Golding said. “After all the rehab, he came back and wanted one more chance at Katy and to get it taken away like that is just painful.”

Ricks said once the news broke, it took the team by a surprise.

“It shocked all of us,” Ricks said. “We weren’t ready for it. It felt like a movie, so it was hard to digest at first. Everybody let their emotions out, and I didn’t think I would get that emotional. It definitely was a hard pill to swallow.”

Despite ending the season and the seniors’ collegiate career short, Golding and the rest of the team agreed with the decision.

“The objective at all times is to protect our student athletes,” Golding said. “At the end of the day, we want to me sure they are safe at all times.”

The Wildcats finish the year with a 20-11 record, winning eight out of its last nine games of the season. Golding believes that despite the bitter ending, ACU’s program is set for the future.

“I think our culture is better than it has ever been,” Golding said. “We have an identity in our program now, and I just thanked them for that.”

Filed Under: Showcase, Sports

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About Owen Simpson

- Editor-in-Chief and Sports Director
- ESPN Analyst for ESPN football and basketball

I'm a senior journalism major from Georgetown, Texas. I serve in several roles for the ACU JMC department. For years, I've had a passion in sports and news, and I'm pursuing a career in sports broadcasting, along with any opportunity that presents itself in the media department.

You are here: Home / Sports / Golding, Ricks ‘devastated’ by season’s abrupt ending

Other Showcase:

  • Students forced into unique living situations due to winter storm

  • Cullen scheduled for $8 million renovation

  • Gallery: Snow blankets Abilene; students shelter across campus

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acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4h

"ResLife had to handle dorms without power, water and burst pipes. We saw them communicate and lead like no other during these challenging times." Read more from Sports Videographer Tavian Miles below:
https://acuoptimist.com/2021/02/unsung-heroes-of-the-winter-storm/

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acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
24 Feb

Despite challenges created by COVID-19, freshman and sophomore retention numbers are holding with a minor decrease from fall to spring. Read more below:
https://acuoptimist.com/2021/02/freshman-and-sophomore-retention-numbers-comparable-to-2020/

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The Optimist

4 hours ago

The Optimist
"ResLife had to handle dorms without power, water and burst pipes. We saw them communicate and lead like no other during these challenging times." Read more from Sports Videographer Tavian Miles below: ...

Unsung heroes of the winter storm - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

A lot of us did not expect to have a pre-spring break in the middle of February, but ultimately that’s what happened as a whole university. “The winter storm displaced many of us, and forced us out of our daily routine.” Now, it wasn’t an actual spring break because of what happened across t...
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1 day ago

The Optimist
Despite challenges created by COVID-19, freshman and sophomore retention numbers are holding with a minor decrease from fall to spring. Read more below: ...

Freshman and sophomore retention numbers comparable to 2020 - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Freshman and sophomore retention numbers are holding with a minor decrease from fall to spring according to an email from Dr. Schubert. Despite challenges presented by COVID-19, retention rates are holding slightly above 90%. “Freshman retention is holding at 90.5% from fall to spring (compared to...
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