Last week I was still catching up and trying to rest up from our trip, so I did not get back to blogging. But over the weekend, Enel Brindisi, who Joe plays for this season secured a championship of Lega Due, the Italian second division. In that league, the top 2 teams move up to A1 (the first Italian division). Furthermore, the top team does not have to play in playoffs, but goes home after the regular season as the champions, while teams 2 through 9 battle it out for the other top spot to move up. This was obviously a big deal for our family as the last regular season game is May 2 and my due date is May 8. We have been praying for a championship since the beginning of September when I found out I was expecting again.
This was also a huge deal for the city of Brindisi. After having moved up from the third division a few years ago, they have been anticipating a move back to the first division after a 28 year absence! This is a community that loves their basketball and exploded with the news of a Lega Due championship. Here is a picture of the street outside our apartment building during the celebration:
And here is a picture of the fans during the last AWAY game. Yes, they make away games feel like home games for the team!
As Joe’s wife, this is something I was so thankful to celebrate with him. Being the wife of one of the athletes you see the ups and downs of the season. You go through the internal team struggles, the frustration of losses, and the nights of tossing and turning because of a sore body. You see the heart and soul your husband puts into every single game and it is a joy to see all the effort come to a great accomplishment in the end! Congratulations, Joe and Enel Brindisi!
Thank you Erin! It’s definitely a great joy for Brindisi! I think words are not enough to explain our excitement in these days as well as how thankful we are to Joe and the rest of the team.
As for Joe, in my opinion everybody in Brindisi thinks he is not only a great ‘baller’, but also an astonishing man and this is thanks to your support for sure.
We really hope to have your family in Brindisi next season as well and, in any case, we’ll always have a great memory of Joe and the whole Crispin’s family!
For last but not for least, I’m really glad Joe will be able to come back to the US for this very special moment of your lifes. Brindisi loves the Crispin’s and prays for the new one.
I believe what’s important for people living in Brindisi or born in Brindisi as I was (now living in Milan) is to see the team secured the championship thanks to a player like Joe who introduces him first as a Christian, than as a husband, a father and finally a professional basketball player. I know the ranking is not by chance: behind it, there’s the soul of a man who is able of making great things and taking right decisions for his wife, his family and the team who he plays for, always God thanking.
It looks as simple as truthful: few things, in the right order, but absolutely meaningful and truthful.
Thanks for your being in Brindisi and the example giving to me and many other people as well.
Thank you both Stefano and Francesco for your kind and encouraging words. We enjoyed our time in Brindisi and were grateful for the appreciation the fans that saw Joe not just as a player but as a person as well!
WOW, WHAT AN AWESOME FAN BASE! CONGRATULATIONS! WE ARE SO MISSING FAN SUPPORT HERE IN AMSTERDAM. IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BEST WISHES AND MANY BLESSINGS WITH YOUR FAMILY AND CAREER!