How My Role Has Changed
Every year since I’ve started with the program my role has changed, whether it be a little or a lot. My sophmore year I was only responsible for the other managers and team equipment. My junior year I added film edits, and well this year my role has changed tremendously.
I am helping with setting up our shootarounds for our overnight conference games, I am getting more involved in drills, I am in charge of our new laptop and learning all the ins and outs to it and the programs we use on it, including a new film edit software, film exchange website, and play drawing software.
Coach Alarcon and I joke that I have five titles: Head Manager, Video Coordinator, Director of Basketball Operations, Student Assistant, and Intern. I love doing all this because I know this is the best experience a 21 year old can get. If I was at a bigger program, I might not get as much experience, this is part of why Lynn is such a great place to be.
I’m doing so much and learning so much that next year I’ll be able to contribute no matter where I go. Looking back, I don’t know if there would have been a better college for me to go to. I have made a mark on the school that won’t be forgotten. I helped start a fraternity on campus, I worked my ass of in the athletic department, I was the first Freshman Class representative in SGA, and just been a leader.
I don’t like to toot my own horn, but I just can’t help it. I’ve used my work ethic to work my way to the top of Lynn and I hope to work my way to the top of college athletics.
Gene
Every Role Is Important
One thing that most people fail to realize in business and in life is everybody plays a role and none is more important than another.
If you look at a car for example, the engine has a particular job, as do the lugnuts. Now you could have the best engine known to mankind, but if you don’t have lugnuts, what good does the engine do. The car can’t go anywhere because the wheels will fall off.
I know that’s not the world’s greatest example, but it emphasizes my point. Just because you may not think you are important to your company or organization, if there is no one to do your job, then the organization can fall apart.
Most leaders don’t acknowledge this, because they think they are too important, but a good leader realizes this and makes sure everyone knows this.
For example, Coach McMillin lets everybody know in the program nobody is more important than the next. He has a quote that I will always remember: “I don’t need anyone of you, I need all of you.”
This is saying I don’t need a particular player, I need all of you together. he also does a great job of making sure managers realize they are vital to success. He lets his players know that the managers are vital and tells them they should be treated as such. As one of Coach’s managers, this makes me feel good.
He is constantly thanking us for our work, which makes me work harder for him because I know he appreciates it. If a boss doesn’t appreciate your work, why would you want to work hard for them?
So always remember, treat others with respect and remember you are not more important than they are. You just may have a different role.
Gene
Tips About Men
So I’d like to give some tips to women about men. I’ve had girls come to me wanting to know about what men think or why we do certain things, so here is a useful guide. I stole some of these from an email, but most guys think this way.
All of these are labeled number 1 for a reason.
1) Men are not mind readers
1) Ask for what you want, Subtle hints don’t work! Strong hints don’t work! Obvious hints don’t work! JUST SAY IT!
1) Crying is blackmail
1) Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days
1) You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both, If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself!
1) All men see in only 16 colors. Like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is!
1) If we ask what is wrong and you say “nothing”, we will act like nothing’s wrong. We know you are lying, but its just not worth the hassle.
1) If you ask a question you don’t want an answer to, expect an answer you don’t want to hear.
1) If you tell a guy you want to be with a guy, don’t act like he doesn’t exsist.
1) Don’t let a guy’s ex-girlfriend scare you away. She doesn’t run his life (as much as she thinks she does)
And I know I’ll catch heat for this, but its a great tool. Because this is really how a lot of guys think.
Gene
Difference Between Winners and Losers
So in my three and a half years in the basketball program, I have learned so much. I have learned about basketball, life, and myself. But listening to Coach McMillin, I heard him say something that I won’t ever forget.
“Winners find a way, losers find excuses”
I love this saying, because if you are going to win a basketball game, you have to find a way. Its easy to make excuses for why you didn’t get a stop or why you missed a sprint. It takes a lot to dig deep within yourself when you’re tired and get the job done, but this is the difference between winning and losing.
I have seen players who meet both sides of this. Hans Schur, Chris Hall and Michael Woo are perfect examples of people who will dig down and find the next level. Chris and Mike have pushed every player this year. They don’t make an excuse, they just get the job done. Hans was constantly working in the two years I had the privilage of spending with him. He never let guys do a half-ass job. He only accepted the best out of guys and I believe thats part of why he went from a walk-on to a scholarship senior and member of the 1,000 point club.
This can be applied in the business world as well, the person that gets to the top of a company is the guy who finds a way to get the job done, not the guy who finds reasons why it won’t work or who finds ways to cut corners.
Gene
A Great Event
So tomorrow there is going to be a great event that I don’t know if people really know how great it is going to be.
It is the first ever Disablility Month Kick-Off Event at 7pm in the Green Center.
It is important for people to go, because most people stereotype those in wheelchairs or who have any kind of disability without fully knowing.
So I encourage everyone to attend.
Gene
A Journey Into The Mind of Gene
So people always want to figure out what other people are thinking. Well, I’m going to tell you about what I’m thinking. When I get frustrated or stressed, sometimes those are the times when I have my greatest thoughts.
Today was Yom Kippur (the Jewish day of repentance), so I fasted. I had a terrible nights sleep so by about 6 o’clock I was frustrated/stressed and I realized something. As much as I love my family and friends, the only thing that will never leave me is sports. Friends will go. After a certain amount of time not seeing them, its natural to just drift apart. They say family will never leave you, but they can. Not on purpose, but they will sometimes. Sports never goes away.
I could get a job not in the field of athletics, but sports won’t just disappear. When I’m having a bad day, I just get in the gym and get shots up, or I play another sport and magic. I feel a hell of a lot better. I can talk to family and friends, but at some point they may not be there.
This is why I have become so obsessed with basketball, because I know its not leaving. And I love that. Yes, I love my family and friends, but they could leave, sports won’t.
Feel free to comment.
Gene
Coaches
I’m watching the Arkansas-Alabama game on CBS and the commentator made a quote that I have found very true in my time in dealing with coaches.
“Good coaches tell their players to do something, great coaches teach their players.”
Since I’ve started working with Coach McMillin, I’ve always stated he’s a great coach, and this quote just validates that. He doesn’t just tell the players to do it, he teaches them how to do it and why they will use it. The players that absorb this are the ones who do big things. Coach Heskett did it as well, and Coach Hayes continues to do it. This is why I feel Coach Hayes is going to do big things in the coaching game.
I’ve really learned so much from every single coach that I have worked with at Lynn because they care. They take time to teach me what is being done and why. They have not been hesitant in giving me responsibility and that means a lot. I will always remember them no matter where I go in life. I owe them so much for what they have done for me.
They’ve let me get involved in film editing, film exchange, practice planning, drills, meetings, and so much more. This has helped me get ahead in my pursuit of being a coach, because now I am more prepared for what I am going to be getting into.
Gene
Personal Interest Piece
This is a personal interest piece on Lynn Volleyball player and RA, Haley Pratt.
What is your pre-game ritual?
- “I always braid my hair and wear a ribbon. I also pray while the national anthem plays.”
What is your favorite food?
- “Corn”
What is your favorite movie?
- “Billy Madison and Love & Basketball”
What is your favorite color?
- “Aqua Blue”
What are your hobbies?
- “Singing, going to the beach, and hobbies”
Parents/Family?
- “Mom-Laura, Dad, Robert, Sister-Erin, 2 dogs, 1 cat and my biggest fan, my Grandma”
When is your birthday?
- “October 17″
How do you spend your time?
- “If I’m not playing, studying, or working for Housing and Residence Life, I am hanging with friends or singing. Oh yead, I love to eat too!”
Where would you like to reside in the future?
- “I would love to sell cardiac devices and live in Alabama, South Carolina, or California”
What is your major?
- “Major-Business, Minor-Biology”
Where are you from?
- “Greenwood, IN”
What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you?
- “I have had two heart surgeries!”
What is your most memorable moment at Lynn University?
- “Signing my scholarship to attend Lynn, and when I won RA of the Year Award at the Leadership Banquet.”
Come see Haley Pratt play Tuesday September 22nd and keep the volleyball teams winning streak of 9-1 going strong! The game is at 7pm against Palm Beach Atlantic
Live or Die?
Which would you prefer, to die knowing you gave everything you had or live knowing you had more you could have given?
Personally, I would rather die knowing I gave everything I could. I feel better losing knowing I gave my all. I have realized that when you start to regret things, you waste your time, because you could not change it. There is a quote in our locker room that reads “What you gave today, you have forever. What you didn’t give is lost forever.” This is true, because if you don’t give your all in a day of work, you can’t get that time back, and you suffer the consequences. If you give everything, the consequences are minimal because you did everything you could.
After practice, if I’m not exhausted from running all over the gym or working in drills, I didn’t do a good enough job and I let the players and coaches down.
But, I want to know, what do you think?
Gene
A Great Quote
So I haven’t put a quote up in awhile, so here is one. I was given this quote about a week ago and it has stuck with me.
“Be careful of whose toes who step on today, because they might be connected to the asss you have to kiss in the future.”
This is great for people to think about, because you never know who will be successful in the future. The kid you always though was a dork in high school or middle school might turn out to be the next Bill Gates or John Wooden, and you may be looking for a job, and when you go to that person they will probably remember what you did.
Everybody has the potential to be great, some just decide to tap into it.
Gene
