Just heard a stat that Lebron James earned $4o million last year on and off the court. He's 24 years old, stands at 6 foot 9 inches, and weighs 260 pounds. He is a world sensation and a force to be reckoned with. He has two kids and is still with the same girlfriend he's had growing up.
I wish guys like this got more publicity for the strong character they maintain off of the court as ell as on the court. Instead we only know about his talent and how much money he makes. We know all about Dennis Rodman's off court shananigans and A-Rod's drug problems.
He's a good guy and definitely someone to look up to no matter what age, race, or gender you are.
This guy understands that basketball isn't everything even though he is everything to basketball. LeBron tells 60 Minutes in an interview, "Don't let basketball use you, you use basketball," and he refers to it as, "a vehicle to get me where I want to go." Simply amazing, this guy is at the top of the NBA and could very well be when it's all said and done, the best player to ever pick up a basketball, and still has ideas for after basketball.
We can all learn a lesson from this guy after looking further into his life, the lesson that there is no shame in believing and failing, only shame in not trying what you believe in.
This young man is gifted, and he knows it. The best of luck to him.

Last Spring Ball

Day 1 of Spring Practice is tomorrow and I'm really excited. We have alot of work to do to get ready for a championship season. With a new defensive staff and some new offensive coaches, Spring practice will give us all a chance to get to know the new playbook and to get to know each other better.
Division 3 Spring practices are unlike Division 1 and 2 Spring practice. The NCAA does not allow D3 football to have any contact during Spring sessions. The reason for this is not clear, but none the less, it is the rules. We will have plenty of time to work on form and technique, study plays, and work on pass coverages, but it would be nice to hit a little bit.
A ton of work is in store for us over the next few months before season and I think as a team we are ready to get it done. The off season lifting program went well and it set a nice tone to what has potential to be the best season yet.

Hard Work

Well, my men gave it there all. We had Antoninous on the ropes for three quarters. We were up at half and I really thought we had this one. We lost it though, to a great team that went on to wn city for the second year in a row. I wouldn't have it any other way, we fought hard all season and I'm proud of them.
It's a great feeling when your players look at you and tell you that you're the best coach they've ever had. It's the pay off that you could never achieve without hard work and dedication. The kids asked if I would coach them next year, and I would be honored to come back and coach another season with these young men.
I'll be interested to see how their game, minds, and physical stature develops over the next year. They'll be 8th graders next year and a lot of growth will go on in these next coming years.
Anyway, it's back to the drawing board for me and developing new game plans and building on the great foundation we've already started.

Do You Believe?

Tonight at 8:00 PM, the second round of the city tournament will begin. We take on St. Antoninous for the 5th time this season. They are the only team that we haven't beaten at least once this season and it's time to get a W.
Ironic thing about it is the fact that the very first team we played this season was St. Antoninous, and the outcome was ugly. They stomped us, no polite way of putting it. I had never coached these guys before, I had only met a few of them, and we only had three practices prior to our first game together. After that first game, I knew we had some work to do and I accepted the challenge.
I am proud to say that our team has done a complete 180° turn. They have come so far as individual players, as young maturing men, and as a team as a whole. Also, I have grown a lot as a coach and gotten to know these guys and their strengths. It's been such a great season, and I really am proud of my guys.
We have some unfinished business to settle tonight and I can't wait. The season may have started with St. Antoninous, but we are going to do our best to make sure it does not end with them.
Wish us luck.

First Round Victory

So in the first round of the city tournament we faced St. Jude at their house. I knew it was going to be an intense game judging by the past two times we met in the season. The first time we played them, they won by two points and it was definitely a heartbreaker for my guys. The second meeting, we won a close one. We went up on them early, and came firing in the third quarter, but St. Jude cut our lead down significantly. We pulled it out late in the fourth with a couple clutch free throws, and we got the W.

This time around St. Jude was definitely out to give us their best shot. Tournament time, our series was split over all, and the loser of this one goes home! I told my guys to play with emotion, and poise. They had to play fast, but not hurry. I stressed to them that tournament time is all about balance. You can't depend on one thing to get you through the bracket. Different games call for different strategies and you have to execute. The young men of Visitations 7th grade basketball team responded to my call. They stepped up and got into the madness that is March. We won by 22 and held the other team to an average of 3 points a quarter!

Next week we have our toughest challenge, St. Antoninous. The only team that we've played and haven't beaten at least once. It's time to win it when it counts.