Archives: Basketball
A New Experience
So for our game against Barry, Coach Crislip couldn’t be there because his flight was getting in later than expected, so before the game, I did some of the preparations that he normally does. I asked Coach Hayes if he was going to do the post-game radio show, because if so I would take all the papers into Coach McMillin. Unexpectedly, he says, “No, you got it.” I asked him if he was sure and he said its not that big of a deal. So after the game, I went up to the radio table and did the interview. I did my best to praise Barry for a good defensive effort and not say anything that our coaches wouldn’t want me to say.
I enjoyed doing that and will always remember it, because it was my first. Hopefully I’ll get to do it again. (Come on Coach Crislip haha just kidding)
Also, Pete texted me asking if I saw the article about the Indiana managers, so I found it and enjoyed it. For those who don’t know they promoted one manager to reserve guard. For most managers, that is almost a dream come true. You get to be on the otherside of the work. Speaking of the article, Yahoo! said it best, “The manager, one of the most thankless jobs in collegiate athletics…” All in all, good for Mike Santa.
Gene
I’m So Proud
So I’m watching the Illinois/Indiana game as I’m writing this and I saw Pete Gash, the graduate manager at Indiana, who also was the Head Manager before me here at Lynn. Seeing where he is today puts a smile on my face. I only worked with him for a year, but I saw that he gives everything he can and that’s what makes him special. I do my best to try and emmulate him. I know that he is on his way to big things and I can only hope that I have similar results.
He has given me some of the best advice for how to thrive and I owe everything to him. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be with the basketball program right now. Nor would I want to be a coach. He has inspired me and for that I am ever grateful.
It’s Not About Me
Last night our game against Nova was broadcast over the internet, so my parents tuned in and watched. After the game, I had a couple of text messages that commented on my choice of outfit for the game. I wore a dark suit, with a blue shirt, and white tie. My only reaction was, it doesn’t matter what I look like, only what our team does.
The one thing that I do every year, is try to do whatever I can in order to put our players in position to do their best. I’ve been so proud of our guys this year. They have been working hard and making this school proud. I have nothing but faith that this will continue.
I hope that people will continue to follow our tea, which can be done on www.lynn.edu/athletics. There is a live audio for every game, and live video for every home game.
GO KNIGHTS!!
Gene
You Never Know Who’s Watching
The classic quote is “You are who you are when nobody’s looking.” While this is true, it can also be applied when people are watching. In fact, you may not think people are watching, but they are.
At tonights game, I had two examples of it. During our pregame warm-up, we were doing a pick-and-roll drill and I had to chase down some loose balls in order to get them to our assistant coach so he could pass to the players. After the drill, I was walking over to the bench and one of the opposing coaches stopped me and asked if I was a manager. I informed him I was, and he told me that he felt I was working hard. This from him watching me work for 10 minutes. I thanked him then proceeded to walk over to the bench to wipe the sweat from my face and talk with the trainer for a couple minutes.
After the game, I was talking to arguably one of the greatest players to put on a Lynn jersey, James Taylor, and he told me he felt I was a great writer. This made me feel good, that he would read my blog even though I never got the privilage of working with him. I feel that this shows his character. He and Hans Schur, one of my favorite people to have worked with in my time at Lynn, said they noticed my job was all over the place, but to me, that’s my job and I take pride in it. Since I signed up with the program, I have stated I will do whatever it takes to put our players in the best position to succed, on and off the court.
Also, the other day, I was talking to my cousin Phyllis and she told me that she reads my blog everday. This made me feel really good knowing that even though she is half the world away. Phyllis, I love you, Ella, and Todd so much and hope I can see yall again soon.
Gene
Christmas Break
So my Christmas break is a little bit different from the typical Lynn student’s. First off mine didn’t start Friday the 19th, rather it started on the 22nd. We had games on the 20th and 21st, which we won. My break won’t end January 6th, rather it ends on December 30th. I was supposed to be back the 26th, but Coach allowed me to stay home a couple extra days. During these days, I have caught up wit friends, family, and on my relaxation.
But also, I am using two of these days to watch some basketball of two of the programs I worked for this summer. Tomorrow, the 28th, I’m going to watch the University of Arkansas-Little play against Rice. I’m excited about this game, because I enjoyed working with UALR’s staff. They were extremely nice to me and I think this is a program on the rise. Monday, I’m going to watch Memphis play Cincinnati. This is going to be a very good match-up of two high profile programs. Memphis also was very pleasent towards me this summer and is a program that is at the top of the college basketball world.
This break has been really benefical to me because I am really figuring what I need to do and what I want in life. Now, I need to act upon this and continue to get better in everything I do.
Gene
Long Over Due Shout Out
So, last night I got a text message from the person that gave me my start as a manager at Lynn. He also reminded me, that I needed to give him a shout out so here it is.
The guy that gave me my start is Peter Gash. He is currently serving as the Graduate Assistant at the University of Indiana. Last year, he was the Video Coordinator at LaSalle University.
He was the Head Manager when I got here, and I started working under him. He quickly became a big brother and inspiration to me. I saw what he was doing and knew that I wanted to do that. I have seen where he is and it is that more of an inspiration for me to work hard and try to get to that level. He has been a great sounding board for me. I know he is going to achieve big things.
Pete, I know that you will achieve all the success that you have dreamed of and more. Can’t wait to see you!
Gene
Commitment
The other day, coach was talking to the guys and said a quote that has stuck with me since, and makes 100% sense.
“If you are totally commited, no one will ever question it.”
If you think about it, the harder you work at something and the more commitment you show towards it, the less people doubt how much you want it. If you coast through something, its obvious. The people who are the greatest in their respective fields, worked their way to the top. Michael Jordan didn’t grow up as the best in basketball, he had to work at it and improve over time. In fact, he was even cut from his freshman team in high school. Muhammed Ali didn’t just step in the ring the first time and dominate the sport of boxing. He practiced and continued to climb the ranks in order to be considered the greatest.
These athletes, and the rest of the athletes that are at the top of their sports have rarely if ever had their commitment questioned, because they showed that they wanted to be at the top. This is also part of the reason that a good portion of top athletes are considered role models, because they’re actions are ones that people should strive to emulate. (And yes, sometimes this athletes screw up, but they can be used as learning tools for kids.)
Gene
My Style
This past Saturday, we were coming back from our game against Florida Tech, which we won, and I was in the front seat with Coach. He, Bo, and myself were talking about different things and Coach asked Bo what NBA player he tries to model himself after. Bo said Mehmet Okur of the Utah Jazz, but the question got me thinking, what coach do I wanna try to model my coaching style after?
I think there are two coaches that I want to model my coaching style after. The first is John Calipari of Memphis. At his past two Division I jobs, he has done nothing but win. And this at small conference schools. He brings in great recruits and I love his offensive system. He also does a great job of handling the media, in my opinion. He can get his point across without setting of a storm or being an internet sensation.
The second coach would have to be without a doubt Coach McMillin here at Lynn. He wins, but most importantly he wins in the right way. To quote a former player and current assistant, “He wins by enforcing accountability, high expectations, work ethic, and sacrifice.” He doesn’t try to cut corners and knows that there is nothing below him in the program. I have seen him do the laundry and sweep the floor, something that would very rarely be seen at a lot of higher end programs. He also makes everyone feel wanted. In the 3 years I’ve worked for him, I’ve never felt that he didn’t want me around. I have and will always have nothing but the utmost respect for him.
Also, he runs an offensive system I’ve always liked. He prefers to score in transition, but when he has to go half-court, he runs a lot of picks which I’ve always been fond of. He also tries to keep it very simple for the players.
Gene
Thanksgiving Break
This year, the school decided to make Thanksgiving Break a week, instead of half a week. While the majority of students rejoiced, the basketball team knew this meant more of an opportunity to practice.
On Monday and Tuesday, we had two practices each day. Wensday was a regular practice day. Thanksgiving was a day before game practice. This involved regular practice plus a little bit of scout. After that practice we went to Bogarts at Muvico for Thanksgiving Lunch. They served us a 3 course meal that was amazing. I think very few people know of that restaurant but it was very good.
After lunch, we left for St. Petersburg for the Eckerd College Thanksgiving Classic. Then had dinner in St. Petersburg. I don’t know how I ate as much food as I did.
On Friday, we defeated Franklin Pierce 68-62 in the tip-off game. Randy Jones was our high scorer with 18 points, while Michel Vidal added a career-high 15 points and added 16 rebounds. This after setting his previous career high 11 points and 18 rebounds. The program high is 19 set in 1994.
On Saturday, Lynn achieved its 300th program victory, while earning Coach Scott McMillin his 100th career vicotry at Lynn. Michel Vidal again uped his career-high in points with 20 and pulled down 10 rebounds, for his third double-double in a row. Michael Woo and Pascal Schuler saw their first action of the season at the end of the game.
While there may be no school the week of Thanksgiving, the basketball never stops!
 Gene
Cutting Up Film
So last Thursday, I did started something that I feel will help me in my pursuit of a coaching career. I started cutting up film.
I wasn’t actually taking scissors and cutting it up, no, I was taking it and copying clips from one VHS to another. I did individual player clips, guards/bigs, conversion sequences, and team clips. This was really time consuming, but very easy and enjoyable. I was able to see where our team made mistakes and did well very easily.
This is a task that may seem small, but it allows our coaches to worry about other things than having to cut the film up, and it gives me a chance to learn a very valuable task.
Gene
