View from Section 137

From the Dayton Daily News:

The man talking with Horstman had recently been in contact with a University of Kentucky assistant basketball coach.

“He said, ‘Do you have anywhere you could land a helicopter?’ ” Horstman said.

Horstman is no longer a stranger to unique requests surrounding the eighth-year showcase that brings in some of the best teams around the country with some of the best college recruits, especially with a college coaches e-mail list that hovers around 1,000.

But, seriously, a helicopter?

“Things were nuts for a little bit,” Horstman said.

The question began a series of events that set plans for Kentucky coach John Calipari to arrive at the event this afternoon from the air to watch the nation’s hottest recruit, Pine Crest School’s Brandon Knight.

The uncommitted guard ranked the No. 1 senior recruit and his team will play Jefferson, featuring 6-foot-10 Michigan State recruit Adreian Payne, at 1:15 p.m. today. Sometime before then, Kettering residents might hear a flop-flop-flopping from above as the coach of the undefeated and second-ranked Wildcats tries to make plans for his team’s future.

Speaking of plans, Horstman needed to find a place near Trent Arena to bring in Calipari’s transport. He went to Matt Wahrhaftig, general manager of host site Trent Arena, and Fairmont athletic director Brian Donoher.

Together, they found a site nearby for the landing, which is just the latest in a line of conveniences the Flyin’ and Trent Arena staff tries to extend to recruiting coaches, some of whom are celebrities.

Read Entire Article