They said it: Top sports quotes from January 2021

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Clockwise, from top left: Will Brown, Seth Appert, Jordan King and Laura Okmin. (Gazette file photos; photos courtesy Fox Sports, Rochester Americans)

Share on Facebook

Save

There were many to pick from, for sure, in January.

But after each month in 2021, The Daily Gazette sports department is compiling the 10 quotes from our interview subjects that stuck out the most for us, based on how they either made us think or laugh — or some combination of both.

Selected quotes come both from reporting for stories that appeared in The Daily Gazette and interviews associated with episodes of “The Parting Schotts Podcast.” Not all quotes used were previously published.

— — —

“He was wild as hell.”

— Historian David Pietrusza on Jan. 13, clarifying that Tommy Lasorda’s 25-strikeout performance for the Schenectady Blue Jays in 1948 also included 12 walks, 10 hits and a hit batter. Lasorda died in January.

— — —

“It’s just this incredible group of women in sports who really are there giving each other something I didn’t have, which is a great network of women to support and be supported by, so it’s pretty incredible.”

— Laura Okmin, FOX Sports and Westwood One NFL sideline reporter, on Jan. 13, on starting GALvanize, an initiative to help women get jobs in sports.

— — —

“I think basketball allows for that because of the camaraderie and the way that we can all come together. There’s no agendas, there’s no egos, there’s no hate. There’s all love, and we have to work together. We’re forced to work together. So I think basketball and the locker room is a great example for how America should come together.”

— UAlbany men’s basketball graduate student Jarvis Doles on Jan. 16, on what U.S. citizens could learn from a basketball team.

— — —

“Everything happens for a reason. At that time, you don’t really realize how it’s going to go, or what twists it’s going to take, or what turn there’s going to be. It happened, and here I am on this coaching path. I’m happy on this path.”

— Arizona Coyotes assistant coach and former Union College hockey player Jay Varady on Jan. 19, talking about how an injury that ended his playing career at Union led to a coaching career.

— — —

“Daff was tough, but fair, with a quick tongue and a heart of gold. She was hilarious, had no filter and was known for her witty comments. Daff would help anyone out, no questions asked. She was first to dip into her pocket for a student who couldn’t afford a school trip or to sponsor a family at Christmas. She had the best memory, never forgot a student, even ones she had 20 years ago. She would always send a card remembering every birthday and anniversary. She had a deep love and loyalty to her people — and she had many of them. Even in Daff’s last hours, she displayed her spunk and wit in conversation at the hospital. She even made sure to text her bowling scores her last night with us. The impact that she has had on so many is remarkable. There will never be another like Karen Daffner, and she will be greatly missed.”

— Schenectady City School District employee Danielle Madia on Jan. 19 regarding the impact that Karen Daffner, who died in January, made on those around her.

— — —

“We’ve texted each other; he texted me when I got the job in Rochester. We don’t fight anymore. We leave that alone.”

— A laughing Rochester Americans head coach Seth Appert on Jan. 20, referring to Union head coach Rick Bennett and the bench-clearing brawl between RPI and Union in 2014.

— — —

“I think there was a lot of good in this game. There definitely was a lot of bad in this game.”

— Siena men’s basketball sophomore Jordan King on Jan. 22, with a diplomatic evaluation after the team’s first loss of the season against Saint Peter’s.

— — —

“I know his mom’s going to tell me when I get home those [were] two great shots.”

— UAlbany men’s basketball head coach Will Brown on the two shots his son, freshman walk-on Jackson Brown, took — and missed — during his college playing debut on Jan. 24.

— — —

“How do you put a value on the rest of a person’s life? Colin shouldn’t have to worry about anything. That’s why we’re here. We want to take care of him. Priority No. 1 is beating this cancer.”

— Former Siena lacrosse player Kenny Carpenter on Jan. 25, on a GoFundMe account to help teammate Colin Clive, whose parents died in January as he continues to fight brain cancer

— — —

“I’m not much to look at.”

— Iona men’s basketball head coach Rick Pitino on Jan. 26, after electing to continue during a MAAC men’s basketball teleconference despite his video feed — but not his audio — being temporarily lost.