I had a work meeting today and they introduced a new technical advisor and the young woman's last name was Stempin.

As a Rocket fan and just making small talk, I said the only Stempin I know was Greg Stempin and that he played basketball at UT. Turns out Greg was a cousin on her husband's side and she had heard he was a pretty good baskball player, but didn't know he played for Toledo.

Like the geek I am, I said he was one of my all time favorite players and I pulled out my phone and showed her this poster I forgot I had stashed away with some other Rocket stuff. I just framed this poster and a few other items for the Rocket Wall of my new rec room. Small world, right? She hadn't seen a photo of him before, so she thought this was pretty cool seeing him on a poster.

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This poster was rolled up with the Stempin one. To this day I still think Waseon Tait was one of the most entertaining college running backs I've ever witnessed...pre injury. Just was never the same after the knee injury, but man that 1995 Championship and Vegas bowl was fun.

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Getting old sucks, I totally forgot I had a UM victory poster and a NIT championship poster, fully autographed by the team and coaches.

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The NIT run was the most exciting sporting event(s) I've ever attended. I just found on youtube the post game interview with USC coach Michael Cooper when he had no idea Nama went for 40.

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Good stuff. I agree Waseon Tait was a great one.

That is a great looking rec room. I need to see if I can find that 13-10 UM poster anywhere and get it framed to hang on the wall of my "cave".

Edit: Just did a google search and can get a poster of the Blade's sport section headline article after the win - for $30 - without the frame. Doesn't look like the poster you have is out on the internet for sale by anyone looking to clean out their attic or basement.

A couple more items from the Rocket Room. Signed helmet from Chuck. And the Sports Illustrated spread from a bunch of years ago.

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WNIT tix and blade headline. UM Scoreboard pic and tix stubs.

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(02-17-2024 09:02 AM)emanoh Wrote:  WNIT tix and blade headline. UM Scoreboard pic and tix stubs.

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Great Thread and memories. Love the Rocket memorabilia. Awesome stuff and displays!!!!!!! My stuff is in boxes who knows where! Happy to say I've been at most of these great events in UT history. So glad you captured the memories.

Great Rocket Room. Like no other

Go Rockets!

Combo pool/Rocket room and gym.

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Nice… for sure…

That’s great stuff. Thanks for sharing. There have been many great Rocket memories along the way.

(02-18-2024 02:53 PM)emanoh Wrote:  Combo pool/Rocket room and gym.

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Damn, you're as bad as me with the weights.

Stempin could have played in the NBA if he was allowed to play the wing like a JT Shumate type and not have to play in the post so much. In many ways he was ahead of his time, would have fit better in todays NBA

(02-19-2024 01:52 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(02-18-2024 02:53 PM)emanoh Wrote:  Combo pool/Rocket room and gym.

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Damn, you're as bad as me with the weights.

Yeah, I've always been a lifting meathead. Its a pretty basic set up but we can do a ton of stuff. The power rack has a cable system. I also have two young athletes in the house, with one in HS next year and just chasing them makes getting to the gym before 9 p.m. difficult. Raising two future Rockets!

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(02-19-2024 10:06 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  Stempin could have played in the NBA if he was allowed to play the wing like a JT Shumate type and not have to play in the post so much. In many ways he was ahead of his time, would have fit better in todays NBA

I agree, I though Stempin could have played in the NBA. Still one of my all time favorite Rockets.

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(02-16-2024 11:29 PM)emanoh Wrote:  This poster was rolled up with the Stempin one. To this day I still think Waseon Tait was one of the most entertaining college running backs I've ever witnessed...pre injury. Just was never the same after the knee injury, but man that 1995 Championship and Vegas bowl was fun.

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The Indiana game was my first ever UT Rockets football game...

(02-19-2024 05:13 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(02-16-2024 11:29 PM)emanoh Wrote:  This poster was rolled up with the Stempin one. To this day I still think Waseon Tait was one of the most entertaining college running backs I've ever witnessed...pre injury. Just was never the same after the knee injury, but man that 1995 Championship and Vegas bowl was fun.

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The Indiana game was my first ever UT Rockets football game...

A sad day in Rocket lore.

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I well remember that monster slam by Stempin. The place was packed, 9k in those days, and it about blew the roof off. That photo of him on the poster was later featured on the cover of the Toledo phone book. Did some checking and the game was played on 12/5/98 and the Rockets won 64-63 on a layup with a few seconds left by guard Justin Hall. That OSU team, though coming off a bad season, actually went to the Final Four that season. I don't think the Buckeyes have been back to Toledo since.

(02-19-2024 04:53 PM)emanoh Wrote:  

(02-19-2024 01:52 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(02-18-2024 02:53 PM)emanoh Wrote:  Combo pool/Rocket room and gym.

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Damn, you're as bad as me with the weights.

Yeah, I've always been a lifting meathead. Its a pretty basic set up but we can do a ton of stuff. The power rack has a cable system. I also have two young athletes in the house, with one in HS next year and just chasing them makes getting to the gym before 9 p.m. difficult. Raising two future Rockets!

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Good luck with the young athletes!