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

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

“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

Their manager was leaving on the day of the first camp to work for an NBA camp, so the coaching staff trusted me to be their main runner and help make sure things were running smoothly. I took this with great pride, not because I looked at it not only as an opportunity to prove myself to their coaching staff, but I also looked at it as what I needed to do in order to back up the words of those coaches who helped get me into that position, including Clemson Assistant Coach Josh Postorino, Lynn University Head Coach Scott McMillin, and others. If I had done a poor job, it would have made them look bad, and that was the last thing I wanted to do since they helped me more than words can describe.

My main responsibilities were making sure all the gyms were open and had lights turned on, basketballs were where they needed to be, dorm doors were locked and unlocked, making sure Mrs. Purnell had everything she needed for the camp store everyday, and anything else that needed to be taken care of.

I was up at 6:45 every morning and going to bed around 11 every night. I was constantly busy, so I loved it. I kept hearing that my hard work was appreciated, so that just made me continue to work hard. Everyone thought that I worked for Clemson, because they trusted me with so much, and I took it as a huge compliment.

But now, I know I have to bring that hard work to Boca for this upcoming season if I want to help our team win a championship.

Gene

Last week was the University of Florida’s Overnight Camp. This was a great experience for me. I met some great coaches and managers from around the country, including two managers from FAU. I built a relationship with David Lewis, a manager at the University of Texas, as well as Aaron Winshall, a manager at Syracuse, and Bill Vernon, a manager at the Univeristy of Maryland, and many many more.

I was coaching in the SEC division of the camp, which was high school age kids, and was given the University of South Carolina as a team. In our evaluation games, the group of kids I had was great. They played together and listened really well. They were just a joy to coach.

Then for the “regular season” we were given a random team, so needless to say I was a little upset to lose those kids, but was also just as excited to see my new group of kids. On my new team I had one kid who has the potential to be a stud. As we started playing games, I saw one of the worst things a coach can see, he became uncoachable and was consistantly on the referee’s cases about their calls. Now mind you these officials are coaches in the camp, so not professionals by any means. At one point, the referee told me to take him out after the player argued a charging call. At this point he had a reputation among the coaches, and out of nowhere he cusses at the official, so I take him to our league commisioner for him to deal with. They had a talk, so he came back, but by this time we were eliminated from the “post-season tournament,” so we had an exhibition game, but I wanted to let my team decided if they wanted him to play in it. They voted yes, so I let him sit the first half and I watched how he reacted, and he cheered his teammates on, so I let him play the second half, and he was always passing letting his teammates score and they ended up winning it. It made me proud.

But by the end of camp, I was exhausted and had actually lost my voice. It was pretty bad haha.

Until next week when I’ll have all about Clemson’s Overnight and Team Camps.

Gene

If you have followed my blog you know that I think Curry is an amazing player, and more importantly a great person. He is somebody that younger players should look up to. He was ignored by big-name schools out of high school and he proved them wrong when he got to Davidson College. He never averaged less than 21.5 points per game in any of his 3 seasons. And this past season, after he really broke onto the national stage and frequently saw double teams, he still averaged 28.6 points per game and nearly doubled his assists per game from 2.9 to 5.6.

Stephen Curry will truely be missed at the college level. He continuously got better and worked at his game. People will hound to see or talk Blake Griffin and Tyler Hansbrough, but no offense to them since they are great players, I would pick Stephen Curry in a heartbeat. In his press conference, you could see that he really loved playing at Davidson and will truely miss it. That is what college athletics is truely about.

So Stephen, congratulations on an amazing career at Davidson and good luck with whichever NBA team has the luck and privilage of drafting you.

Gene

In a couple days, I start summer school. I am taking two classes, Hospitality Industry Seminar and Sports Skills I: Golf. I don’t really know what to expect from the first one, but the Golf class, I’ve heard that its just a how-to class. This may sound like a joke class, but it is actually a great concept since that is where most business deals are made and where a lot of coaches go in their off-time, so this would be a great skill for me to have.

After summer school ends, I am heading up to Gainesville, Florida to go work the University of Florida Men’s Basketball Camp. From there, I will head up to Clemson, South Carolina to work Clemson University’s Camp. After that I will go to Memphis, Tennessee to work two of the Unviersity of Memphis’ Camp.

After I’m done with the camps, I’m going to go home for a couple days, then back down here to Boca. When I get back I’ll start working on Orientation stuff, as well as working with Coach McMillin to learn more about coaching and getting more experience.

It’s gonna be a busy summer!

Gene

While this is a decision that is up to he and his parents, I don’t agree with his decision. He is missing out on great experiences not only in college but in high school as well. He is not going to be able to walk across the stage at his high school graduation, he’s not going to be able to go to his Senior Prom, nor his he going to be able to just be a kid.

He reportedly committed to play for Coach Rick Pitino and the University of Louisville. This would have been an amazing opportunity. He would get the chance to play with a legend of a coach, at a big time University, in a big time conference. In Europe, his friends and family won’t be able to watch him play (live or on TV).

This is a quote from Tyler: “Nowadays people look to college for more off-the-court stuff versus being in the gym and getting better,” Tyler told the Times. “If you’re really focused on getting better, you go play pro somewhere. Pro guys will get you way better than playing against college guys.”

I don’t fully agree with this, but I do understand his point of view. If you go to the right college and coach, you’ll be pushed harder than you want to be. A coach like Coach Pitino will push his players to achieve their potential, because he knows thats what it takes to get to the top, and he’s been there so players will listen and give their best.

My other problem with this goes beyond basketball. When his career is over, he will have no high school diploma to fall back on. He will be a high school drop out. If he went to college for one year, he would have at least a more developed education, because you can’t succeed in the game of life without an education.

But again, like I said this is Tyler and his parents’ decision and I wish him nothing but luck in the future.

Gene

Well, at the 1, I’d start Ty Lawson of North Carolina. He makes his team go. He keeps that team at an up-tempo pace. He averaged 16 points a game, 6.5 assists per game, and a 3.4/1 assist to turnover ratio. My second string would probably be either Sharron Collins of Kansas or Tyreke Evans of Memphis. Collins was the undisputed leader of the team, but Evans completely changed his team. Evans averaged 16.6 ppg, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 4 assists per game. But with his size was able to alter offenses.

At the 2, I’d start Nick Calathes of Florida. After watching him, I feel that this would be a more natural position for him.  With a point guard to get into the teeth of the defense, he would be an even deadlier option to score. He averaged 17.4 ppg, 6.4 apg, 5.4 rpg, but shot 49% from the field and 40% from three. He even had a triple double this year. My sub would be, no question Chris Hall from here at Lynn. I was tempted to start him, but feel that with this team, he would be an even threat coming off the bench. He was the unquestioned leader for our team this year. Even after leading the conference in scoring this year, I still feel that he will improve next year in his all-around game. If I have a third 2 guard, I’d put Stephan Curry of Davidson. Even with teams sending their best defender, or even two defenders, at him, he still averaged almost 29 ppg.

At the 3, I’d want to start Terrance Williams of Louisville. He is a tremedous athlete who is looking to lead his team to a national championship. He averages about 5 assists per game and 13 points per game. He does a great job of setting the tempo on defense for his team. My 2nd stringer would be Sam Young of Pittsburgh. He is an underrated player with out of the gym athleticism. He plays tremedous defense, and is considered the third option (in my opinion) to DeJuan Blair and Lavance Fields. Young has a highlight reel as long as most game tapes.

My 4 man would have to be Blake Griffin. He won the AP Player of the Year. He was probably one of the most vital players to Oklahoma’s success this year. He averaged a double double, with 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, which led the nation. Griffin took cheap shots and everything that other teams through at him. TylerHansbrough of North Carolina would be my back up. He is possibly one of the most intense players to play the game. This year he set the ACC career scoring record. He also took everything other teams threw at him.

My 5 man would be DeJuan Blair of Pittsburgh. He was a beast down low for the Panthers. He went straight at one of the most intimidating bigs in UCONN’s Hasheem Thabeet. He averaged 15.7 points per game and 12.3 rebounds per game. He is just a man-beast. My backup would be Thabeet. He changes what teams do by his 7′3″ size and tremendous shot blocking ability. He was very raw when he got to UCONN and Coach Calhoun has done a great job making him one of the best bigs in the whole country.

Now, this is probably because I got into a routine and loved it, but this is a routine I don’t know if I could get used to. I have to have something to do, or I feel like I’m wasting valuable time. During the season, at times it may seem like I have very little personal time, but this is way too much. I prefer to have the amount that I have during the season since it means that I’ve got something important to do. 

I have been able to reflect on life a little more and start planning for after this year, and I will say that I am proud of the way my parents raised me, since I have been able to plan for the future, I have found I can graduate in December, as long as I take one or two summer classes. I would then spend that second semester possibly being a volunteer with the basketball team and start really using my contacts to try to get my next step in my dream to become a coach. My advisor, Ted Curtis, has done a wonderful job with helping me make sure I have my classes in order and just being somebody I can talk to.

Well, all in all, things are good, but life with no basketball isn’t anywhere near as good as life with basketball. 

Gene