The uniforms looked similar, and the officials were on the court but the teams weren't the regular matchup for Cyclone women's basketball. April 6 marked the first game that pitted alumnae against current players, a tradition they hope to continue yearly. It also was the final game of the Cyclones' unofficial season.
The excitement for this game sprung from the robust connection many alumnae have to Moraine Valley and the women's basketball team. Many players indirectly referred to it as the Delwyn Jones effect. As head coach since 2000, Jones has made and continues to make all his players feel welcomed and integral to the team. It keeps them coming back.
"The two years that I was here was literally the best years of my life. Anytime I get an invite to come back, I'm always excited to come back," said Kristy Scialabba, who competed on the team between 2009 and 2011.
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic altering the regular basketball season, safety precautions were in place to plan this game and bring in former players from as far back as 2004. Mari Neberieza played one year of ball in the 2004-05 season, and she coached the group of nine alumnae.
"I only played one season here. I ended up getting hurt, but I made memories and friends that I still have. I was in one of my teammate's weddings a couple years ago, and I still check in with Coach DJ because I coach high school. We stay in touch and he helps me out a lot with what I do with coaching and just being a great leader," Neberieza said.
The alumnae included two players who competed at the national tournament, one All-American and several award winners. For not having played a series of games together, they held in there while the current Cyclones took the 81-61 victory.
"It was fantastic seeing these young women come out to play. They played very tough for a group, outside of one or two, that has not played in years. A few looked like they could still compete today. However, it was the event and experience that was bigger than the game. The idea that they wanted to come back and represent meant a lot. Others wanted to come but had other responsibilities. They want to come to the next one. It was just good to see my former babies as grown women," Jones said.