No group had more fun during the regular season last year than Monmouth's mischievously creative bunch. The quartet of bench bros, who found dozens of funny, inventive ways to celebrate their team, became a national sensation.
Now, back home in Jersey -- and in the midst of the offseason -- they're getting a beach carving in their honor. Dan Pillari, who is seemingly the leader of the posse, shared a photo over the weekend of a pretty terrific sand statue sculpture. This is a sandcastle tribute of the group's "Creation of Adam" tribute from last season.
This is amazing!!! pic.twitter.com/HEI46VPqSQ
— The Monmouth Bench (@MonmouthBench) July 4, 2016
Love it. That's some serious work! Hopefully far enough away from the tide.
How cool is this.... Unreal talent! @MonmouthBenchpic.twitter.com/3oA1Fvc0vO
— Daniel Pillari (@danpillari) July 4, 2016
Pillari is a man of creativity and conviction. No question he's thinking up plenty of new pantomime performances for 2016-17. He's also under the illusion that Blink 182 is still putting out "dope" records. Check this recent tweet.
If you don't think the new blink album is dope then you probably pour your milk into the bowl before the cereal
— Daniel Pillari (@danpillari) July 1, 2016
No ill will, Dan. Do you. Just know that Blink 182's peak coincided with the downfall of "TRL," and I can't think that's a coincidence.
Monmouth, which fell short of earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament (but in my opinion absolutely deserved one after the strength of its schedule shook out), will again be a factor in the MAAC. Asking the team to recreate its non-conference win showing is asking a lot. But Justin Robinson will be back, and he could be the Player of the Year in the league, so expect the Hawks to have plenty of opportunities to ham for the crowd and cameras once again.