MOREHEAD, Ky. (WKYT) – This week the Morehead State University Eagles will begin their quest in the Big Dance.
MSU is returning to the NCAA tournament for its ninth time.
While the players and coaches take center stage, it is the fans behind them that often supply some of the energy needed in those big games.
For Morehead State, there is no bigger fan than head coach Preston Spradlin’s wife.
We sat down with Misty Spradlin to talk about her love for the game ahead of the Eagles leaving for Omaha.
While MSU Head Basketball Coach Preston Spradlin works out the Xs and Os on the court, it’s his wife Misty who leads the game plan at home.
“We started out this dream together and it’s just become part of my lifestyle as well. We eat and breathe basketball,” said Misty Spradlin.
The Eastern Kentucky natives and the parents of two children are high school sweethearts.
To love Preston, Misty knew was to love basketball, and it has paid off. She is watching her husband lead his Eagles to another trip to the big dance.
Misty feels the highest of highs with him and also knows the lowest of lows.
“I know this is a highlight reel of all the success that we have had as of late, but nobody really pays attention to those eight-win seasons that we’ve gone through as well and just being able to see the success build each year has been something really special to see,” said Spradlin.
In the stands, Misty is often up and down and cheering the loudest. She admits it can be stressful.
She admits it can be stressful.
“I like to say that by the time I get home, I need a nap and a shower, and the fans have said before it’s hard for them to watch the game because I’m so active in the stands up and down nervous,” said Spradlin.
For Misty and Preston, it’s a family affair, but it’s also about the community that supports them and their basketball family.
“Seeing our kids be able to grow up in this environment with 15 big brothers running around all the time, we have a wonderful coach’s wives community here, and just people become more like family,” said Spradlin.
While Coach Spradlin works to motivate his team, it’s Misty who will be in the stands in Omaha rallying the fans.
Win or lose, what she is most excited about is watching her husband build a program in a sport that has always been at the center of their life together.
“I am so unbelievably proud of him not just because of the accomplishments, but because of the man he is, the husband he is, the father that he is the friend that he is, being together so long it’s just been nice to see our dream come true,” said Spradlin.
Morehead State was given a No. 14 seed and will take on No. 3 Illinois on Thursday, March 21, at 3:10 p.m. ET on truTV.
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