BCAM January 2014 Monthly Report

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BCAM January 2014 Monthly Report Tom Hursey – Executive Director FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Happy New Year and may 2014 bring you your best year ever as a coach and teacher. SPECIALIZATION: I recently read a newspaper article about specializing in one sport. The article was written by Nancy Cambria for the St. Louis Post‐Dispatch. It highlighted many of my thoughts concerning picking one sport and putting all your time and effort into this sport. I am going to pass on some of the main points of this article. Specialization is “fraught with overuse and even traumatic injuries in young bodies still growing and developing bone and muscle—so much so that medical associations, athletic trainers and even professional athletes are speaking out against it.” About half of the 3.5 million sports injuries each year are “associated with overuse, often linked with the growing trend of children specializing in one sport and playing year‐round.” “Former baseball pitcher Tommy John considers it a racket, with parents being led by the nose to spend with promises of scholarships and better performance.” “The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine studied 1,206 ‘specialized’ athletes ages 8 to 18. The authors concluded that specialization resulted in ‘higher rates of injury, increased psychological stress and quitting sports at a young age.” Eric Lay, athletic trainer, said, “Some of the year‐round athletes can have conditioning deficits because parts of their body are overworked from repetitive movements and other parts aren’t worked out much at all. This leads to injuries.” Bottom line—as a coach you owe it to your younger athletes to highly recommend playing a variety of sports throughout the year. As they enter high school they might emphasize one sport over others but you should encourage them to participate in other sports. FRED THOMANN: Fred Thomann, long‐time girls coach at Salem HS and BCAM Lifetime Member, passed away suddenly on December 27 th . Fred had a monster impact on the game of girl’s basketball starting back in the early 80’s. He impacted so many students and players during his 40+ years in teaching and coaching‐‐not only teaching them the game, but teaching them life lessons. The funeral service for Fred will be held SATURDAY, JAN 11. Vermeullen Funeral Home, 46401 W Ann Arbor Rd, Plymouth. Gathering at 9am, Service at 10:30am. Lunch after at The Inn at St Johns, 44045 Five Mile Rd, Plymouth. A memorial tribute will be held before the Salem vs Stevenson varsity game on Jan 14 at Salem’s gym. Everyone is asked to wear white for a “white‐out”. TOP 100 SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS: All the winners of the 2012‐13 sportsmanship awards should have received their banner last month. Hopefully those banners are displayed in your gyms since they signify your school’s efforts to promote good sportsmanship. Click here to link to the list of the Top 100 winners: http://www.bcam.org/sites/default/files/13Top100Web%20Sheet1.pdf I would like to mention that BCAM thanks Better Basketball for their sponsorship of these banners. Go to www.betterbasketball.com to learn more about this great company.

Transcript of BCAM January 2014 Monthly Report

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BCAM January 2014 Monthly Report 

Tom Hursey – Executive Director 

 

 

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Happy New Year and may 2014 bring you your best year ever as a coach and teacher.  

SPECIALIZATION:  I recently read a newspaper article about specializing in one sport. The article was written by Nancy Cambria for the St. Louis Post‐Dispatch. It highlighted many of my thoughts concerning picking one sport and putting all your time and effort into this sport. I am going to pass on some of the main points of this article. 

• Specialization is “fraught with overuse and even traumatic injuries in young bodies still growing and developing bone and muscle—so much so that medical associations, athletic trainers and even professional athletes are speaking out against it.”  

• About half of the 3.5 million sports injuries each year are “associated with  overuse, often linked with the growing trend of children specializing in one sport and playing year‐round.” 

• “Former baseball pitcher Tommy John considers it a racket, with parents  being led by the nose to spend with promises of scholarships and better performance.” 

• “The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine studied 1,206 ‘specialized’ athletes ages 8 to 18. The authors concluded that specialization resulted in ‘higher rates of injury, increased psychological stress and quitting sports at a young age.” 

• Eric Lay, athletic trainer, said, “Some of the year‐round athletes can have conditioning deficits because parts of their body are overworked from repetitive movements and other parts aren’t worked out much at all. This leads to injuries.” 

Bottom line—as a coach you owe it to your younger athletes to highly recommend playing a variety of sports throughout the year. As they enter high school they might emphasize one sport over others but you should encourage them to participate in other sports.  FRED THOMANN:  Fred Thomann, long‐time girls coach at Salem HS and BCAM Lifetime Member, passed away suddenly on December 27th.  Fred had a monster impact on the game of girl’s basketball starting back in the early 80’s. He impacted so many students and players during his 40+ years in teaching and coaching‐‐not only teaching them the game, but teaching them life lessons.   

The funeral service for Fred will be held SATURDAY, JAN 11.  Vermeullen Funeral Home, 46401 W Ann Arbor Rd, Plymouth.  Gathering at 9am, Service at 10:30am. Lunch after at The Inn at St Johns, 44045 Five Mile Rd, Plymouth. 

A memorial tribute will be held before the Salem vs Stevenson varsity game on Jan 14 at Salem’s gym. Everyone is asked to wear white for a “white‐out”.  

 TOP 100 SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS:  All the winners of the 2012‐13 sportsmanship awards should have received their banner last month. Hopefully those banners are displayed in your gyms since they signify your school’s efforts to promote good sportsmanship. Click here to link to the list of the Top 100 winners: http://www.bcam.org/sites/default/files/13Top100Web%20Sheet1.pdf    I would like to mention that BCAM thanks Better Basketball for their sponsorship of these banners. Go to www.betterbasketball.com to learn more about this great company. 

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“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.” ― J. Jackson Brown, Jr.   COACHES VS CANCER MEMORIAL PLAQUE:  This is a reminder that BCAM remembers basketball coaches who have died from cancer. We do this by adding their name to our memorial plaque. If you know of a basketball coach in Michigan who has died this past year from cancer, please let me know at [email protected] .   

CATASTROPHE FUND:  This fund is for very drastic situations in which a BCAM member and/or his/her family is faced with a financial crisis. The situation will be evaluated by the Executive Board on a case by case basis. You never know when an emergency will arise. This fund is there to give short‐term help. Contact me if you know of a need.  

 SUITS AND SNEAKERS WEEK – JANUARY 20‐26: It is not too late to host a Coaches vs. Cancer game at your school!! Over the past few years BCAM has raised nearly $300,000 for the American Cancer Society!  To get started log onto www.coachesvscancer.org/youth and start a team.  Once you do that you will have access to all of the amazing materials to get your game going including our new easy to use playbook.  Whether you raise $100 or $10,000 every dollar counts and makes a difference in the fight against cancer!  Don’t forget that Suits and Sneakers week is Jan. 20‐26!  Coaches all over the nation will be wearing their tennis shoes with their suits to their games to promote cancer awareness.  Don’t forget to wear yours as well!  If you plan on hosting a game and haven’t contacted Beth Campbell please do so.  She can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 248.663.3476.   MEMBERSHIP:  Our 2013‐14 year membership deadline is February 15. We are approaching another record setting year but need you to remind coaches in your area to join BCAM now. If a coach you are playing against has a great player, remind him/her that they must be a BCAM member for their player to be eligible for awards. Simple to join‐‐‐ www.bcam.org .  “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing.  That's why we recommend it daily.” ― Zig Ziglar  

WHO’S GOT NEXT?  (Dan Christner – BCAM Board) 

Thirty‐seven years ago a group of coaches in mid‐Michigan got together to form  an association to promote basketball and provide a voice for its coaches. The result of that meeting was the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan.    A Board of Directors was formed, committees were established, programs were introduced and today our organization is the largest state basketball coaches association in America.   Many of those founding individuals, as well as those who have chaired committees and have been board members, have 30 or more years of service to BCAM. Many of our current board members have been working faithfully since the inception of the organization; donating their time and talents to improving BCAM and in doing so, enriching the basketball experience for thousands of young women and men.   It is time to ask the age old playground question: “Who’s got next?”   Where will the next generation of BCAM leadership come from and when will they begin their duties?   To answer these questions, be assured that the BCAM Board has undertaken an aggressive program to identify those coaches who have been active behind the scenes. We are looking for those with the desire and ability to step in and be the “next generation”. The goal of the BCAM Board is to make any and all transitions as smooth as possible with little or no disruptions.    BCAM has been around for many years and it is our intention for BCAM to continue to serve basketball coaches in the state of Michigan.    

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Sportsmanship – Life Lessons by Randy Hutton, BOCCC Member 

As a coach or official, teaching kids the importance of good sportsmanship can be challenging.  What makes teaching (and modeling) good sportsmanship particularly tricky is that youngsters are bombarded with images of older basketball player’s trash talking, showboating, and disrespecting opponents and officials.  However, keep  in mind that you're fighting the good fight: Good sportsmanship is one of the most valuable  ideals you can instill in your players. 

From a coaching perspective, might I suggest incorporating the following into your coaching  philosophy.  They can help make your team one of the most liked and respected teams in the  league (and your players the envy of all parents in the stands): 

• Talk about sportsmanship outside your team.  While your players are going through warm‐ups, you can discuss a game they watched on television and ask whether they saw any displays of good sportsmanship.  Praising these displays and subtly reinforcing their importance goes a long way toward instilling the right qualities in your 

players.  • Set a positive tone on game day by shaking hands with the opposing coach. The players, fans, and opposing 

coaches will notice your gesture of sportsmanship.  Plus, it will remind everyone that this is just a game and you're all there for the kids. 

• Always be a model of good sportsmanship.  Don't yell at officials or question their judgment.  If you aren't a 

model of good sportsmanship, how can you expect your players (or their parents) to be good sports?  Your players will take their cue from you, so if you rant and rave about a call, expect your players to show the same level of disrespect toward the referees as well.   As someone much wiser than me once said, “A team’s actions 

toward opponents and officials are a direct reflection of their coach”. • Recognize good sportsmanship during your post‐game talk.  Perhaps one of your players went out of his way 

after the game to congratulate an opponent who played a strong game.  Recognizing such displays reinforces to 

your players that how they behave during and after games really does matter to you and to all the spectators. In the end, our (both coaches and officials) legacy to those student athletes that we come in contact with over a 

career should be one of appreciating each other’s efforts and being a shining example for good sportsmanship.  When all is said and done, our positive leadership and examples of good sportsmanship will serve as wonderful life 

lessons for our student athletes on their way toward life. 

“Forget what hurt you in the past. But never forget what it taught you.” ―Unknown “Do what you feel in your heart to be right-- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll  be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt “There are people in your life whom you unknowingly inspire simply by being you.” ― Unknown

“We’ve created an environment of selfishness - how has it come to this?” By Dave Ginsberg, Executive Director, NHSBCA  AND Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach – Traverse City West 

 Looked around lately? Our beautiful game of basketball has been “auctioned off” and sold to the highest 

bidders! We let it happen. That’s right – it was us. We took our eyes off the prize, and the game was stolen right from beneath our feet. We actually gave it away for safekeeping. It went to everyone and anyone that could control the purse‐strings, and now we may never get it back. It went to media people (former coaches and wannabees) that are part of the problem and not the solution! No need to name names; you know who they are (the ones that actually believe that we in the trenches of our society are interested in their interpretation of the game) – every time an event is on we 

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are forced to listen to these self‐proclaimed and self‐appointed individuals that are as much a part of the problem as the shoe companies that are buying young people to promote their products. Rest in peace Coach Wooden ‐ this “current state of affairs” would make you ill.  

I confess – I’m still operating under “old‐school” values, those that honored basketball as the “ultimate team sport” and when it was a privilege to represent your school. Now, the “club sport” people have etched out their place in the environment and are calling the shots from coast to coast. This in most cases is not AAU – it is the club people that operate under a “no rules” blanket. Is this just for the so‐called ELITE (disgusting word – I’ve coached for 37 years and have only coached 5 or 6 ELITE players, and they had to get to the NBA to prove it!) players? NO! The MASSES are participating in droves. These young people and their parents actually think this is good AND necessary to get where they “want to go.” Where are they going? Everyone has participated in this awful situation. Club people AND COLLEGE RECRUITERS are convincing players and their parents that it is necessary to play in certain places at certain times in order to “be seen!” WHAT? As a former “college recruiter,” I remember that was my job to FIND good prospects – not have them find me. If you’re good, you will be found. And what if you’re not found? Is that the end of the road? Take another route. Some of the finest student‐athletes I’ve ever been around were “walk‐ons,” unscathed by recruiters and stupid people, with their egos still in check. This is not just in basketball. Soccer, volleyball, and probably ALL sports are involved in this stupidity! We have created a “culture of selfishness,” one that ENCOURAGES young athletes to promote themselves over their peers and friends (those they’ve played and gone to school with all their lives) for their shot at stardom, scholarships, etc. EVERYONE is responsible for this! Announcers, the media, shoe company people, college coaches, and certainly the weak parents that have allowed others to hold their own children “hostage” while they think it appropriate to shell out THOUSANDS of dollars to “guarantee” their child’s success! THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES! SNAP OUT OF IT! I coached college basketball a long time, recruited some terrific student‐athletes, and NEVER told them what to do back in their school regarding participation in other sports, avoiding opportunities in their community and devoting 100% of their time to a specific sport while still in high school. I remember telling them to finish high school in a proper fashion, keep those grades up, be a good son or daughter, leave on good terms with teachers and administrators, and participate in as much as possible. High school is the  last time an individual can partake in everything – after that it’s time to get  specific and specialize. Advising young people to NOT do those things is  wrong and selfish. It is RIDICULOUS! In fact, it is exploitation, and some  parents are ASSISTING the exploiters with their work. This is all  out‐of‐control, and is offensive to those of us that still see and think “clearly!” 

Again, I’m old and not too relevant any more. But, I know what I know.  Driving young people all over the country, spending enormous amounts of money so that a child can compete against the so‐called “best,” does not guarantee anything. In fact, in most cases it is harmful to the growth of this POTENTIAL student‐athlete. How about “learning the game?” How about “focusing on fundamentals?” How about competing in an environment with “rules?” How about having your child play with other youngsters that are NOT as good as they are? Maybe this could reveal their leadership potential, teach them how to be humble, and keep their head from being completely BLOWN with their own self‐worth – CHARACTER BUILDING!!!! That used to be extremely important. How about just GETTING GOOD? That’s an interesting idea. Of course, getting good requires commitment, drive, time, heart, dedication, being humble, possessing a fierce level of desire and passion, quality instruction from someone that actually knows what they’re doing AND does not need to get paid handsomely to do it – and this could all be done without leaving a family’s city limits. Is that possible? YES it is.  

Well, I got all of this off my chest. This has certainly been therapeutic. Most of my life has been in gyms, feeling the vibes of our beautiful game, allowing myself to be mentored by those that had earned that title, and then working at teaching the game in an honorable way with great passion. All of this “other stuff” has put a bad taste in my mouth. I know many of those people that we listen to – those that like to listen to themselves talk AND share their expertise. Many should be ashamed of themselves. I’m disgusted with them. Quit promoting the “special” group and mentor the masses of young people appropriately. Are you promoting exposure over excellence and common sense? There is still hope, but as always it will take courage and determination to right that wrong that’s being done to our youth. Let’s go back and provide an arena of enlightenment for our young people – teach them the “life lessons” they will need to navigate on their journey, and use basketball to do it. If we don’t do it, if we allow the “modern and self‐appointed experts” to do it, we will all then be part of the problem and NOT the solution. Stay strong. 

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CHARACTER COUNTS with Michael Josephson: COACH WOODEN THE PHILOSOPHER  According to Henry David Thoreau, a philosopher is a person who seeks to understand and solve the most serious problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. A true philosopher, Thoreau added, is so committed to wisdom that he seeks to live wisely and so lives a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust. By this definition, John Wooden, my favorite coach and teacher, was every inch a great American philosopher. Here are just a few of his powerful insights: On Perfection: Perfection is an impossibility, but striving for perfection is not. Do the best you can. That is what counts. On Management: You’ll get better cooperation and results if you are sincerely interested in people’s families and interests, not simply in how they do their job. On Learning: Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow. On Success: You must be interested in finding the best way, not in having your own way. On Trust: You will be hurt occasionally if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough. On Joy: Mix idealism with realism and add hard work. This will often bring much more than you could ever hope for. On Winning: If you prepare properly, you may be outscored but you will never lose. You always win when you make the full effort to do the best of which you’re capable. You can read more in Be Quick But Don’t Hurry with Andrew Hill and Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court with Steve Jamison. This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.