Smiling is a universal expression of happiness. It’s recognized by all cultures.
It makes us feel better through the release of endorphins, which ultimately reduce stress.
With that said, I’m befuddled by men’s basketball coach Herb Sendek’s stone-faced demeanor on the sidelines during games.
Being the psychology major I am, I decided to stalk Herb at the Georgia Tech game on Saturday.
No, not like the scary terrorist who stalked Rachel McAdams in the movie, Red Eye, but just as an objective (yeah, right) observer with a pen and notepad.
Let’s rewind back to Saturday.
It’s the Wolfpack’s first possession of the game and Engin Atsur knocks down a three.
Herb remains crouched like a tiger on the sidelines — not even quivering a cheek muscle.
Next possession, Tony Bethel drives and makes a beautiful pass to Cedric Simmons for a layup.
Herb responds with a slow golf clap and back-pedals down the sideline to get ready to observe the Pack on defense.
I can’t help but notice a scrolling sideline ad, which reads, “Hankook Tires: Driving Emotion.”
Irony is fun.
Anyway, back to the game.
Time-out by Tech after State has jumped ahead 11-2. The RBC center is going absolutely bonkers!
C’mon, get excited Herb! Your team is looking like a Final Fou…err uhm — Elite 8 team. And your adorable daughter is having a blast with the dance team.
Coming out of the timeout, it’s some emotion.
But alas, it’s a negative foot stomp to try to get the Pack to tighten up on defense.
Glancing over at the opposing bench, I see coach Paul Hewitt. I swear I just saw him swaying his shoulders a bit to “Hollaback Girl” in the Tech huddle during the timeout.
Alright, the lead has dwindled to one, 19-18. I admit, now it’s time to get serious.
The game clock now reads zero, signaling the end of the half — still no smile from Herb.
Sure, we’re down by one going into the locker room. I would be a little disgusted too, but it was a hard fought 20 minutes of basketball.
Maybe “Father Basketball,” the team chaplain who sits behind the bench, will cheer up Sendek with a bit of the Word at halftime.
The second half is starting. Herb isn’t smiling. Oh, well.
Cedric Simmons just put away a one-hand rim-rattler. Nice! We get an enthusiastic fist pump… from assistant coach Archie Miller.
State has the lead 84-74 with 57 seconds left. Unless this is the 2001 Duke Blue Devils we’re playing out there, this baby is over.
Can we get a little grin, Herb? Come on, it doesn’t even have to be toothy. And plus, Carolina lost!
Enough of my badgering. Our team is off to a magical 14-2 start and an undefeated streak in that large building off of Edwards Mill Road.
And a charismatic coach isn’t necessarily an ingredient for a team to go deep into the NCCA tournament. Hey, Carolina made it to the Final Four in 2000 with Bill “Sleepyhead” Guthridge.
Besides, even though it may not always be evident, State fans, Herb did appreciate your support and noise during the critical moments of Saturday’s game.
“I thought our crowd was terrific when we got to about the six-minute mark,” Sendek said. “They really came alive and I thought that really gave us a shot in the arm down the home stretch.”
But as a fan, Herb, please don’t hold back your emotions.
We don’t need you to throw chairs or be Matt Doherty, but even if we lose a couple games in a row, we want to be able to say, “Yeah, that’s our coach. We may be on a losing streak, but he’s cool, and I can tell that he is passionate about this team and that he loves leading the Wolfpack to victory.”
But the closest this journalist has ever come to coaching a basketball team is from his couch with a video game controller in his hand and a bag of Fritos at his side. However, let me conclude by saying, keep up the good work with this team Herb. This seems like it’s going to be a special season.