Tinker Hawks spread wings into fall season Published Oct. 7, 2010 By John Stuart Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Taller, faster, stronger. When applied to a basketball team these are all good descriptors. Such are the words coach Clarence Griffin used in characterizing the 2010-2011 Tinker Hawks basketball team. With tryouts over and a team all but finalized, Griffin said they should be a force to reckon with. Other area teams think so too. For the last several years the Tinker Hawks have been steadily improving. With about 40 guys coming out for tryouts, vying for a shot at 15 spots, it spells good things for competition this year. The team is half and half, with new players and returning hoopsters who made the cut. But the schedule won't be an easy one. With the usual nemesis military teams on the schedule, including Fort Sam Houston and Fort Sill, the Hawks will also match up with four college teams this season. Mountain View College in Dallas, Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, Murray State College in Tishomingo and Clarendon College near Amarillo, Texas are all on the docket. The Hawks open their season on the road Nov. 6-7 against Fort Leonard Wood. "For the last three years we've gotten better about how we've conducted ourselves and the quality of play. We're just taking it up one more notch," Griffin said. Griffin and his assistant coaches are also pushing the envelope in terms of player devotion. "We're emphasizing commitment," Griffin said. "We're asking the players to be as committed as the coaches are. We're out here leaving our families as well as they are. If they're as committed as we are then we'll be okay." But budget constraints are a factor this season as never before. The team will have to do some fundraisers throughout the year to help pay for the cost of referees on the home court, Griffin said. Griffin also expressed the need for bus drivers. He's looking for anyone who would be interested in driving the team for away games and has the proper license credentials, he said. While the season looks promising, Griffin has one definite promise. Being a Tinker Hawk means being willing to work. "The easy part is making the team, the hard part is staying on it," Griffin said.