Archives: Class
My Summer Plans
So every college student gets asked at this time of the year, “What do you have planned this summer?” Well, my plans are simple but good.
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
Final Day at the Final Four
Today we left the hotel at 8:15 and went downtown. After walking into the convention center, looking for the WBCA Assistant’s Roundtable, I asked “Isn’t it at the Hyatt?” And Professor Curtis started laughing and went, “good job you passed the test” and started laughing. He put it on our pre-tour test and then forgot. Haha.
So, after walking to the Hyatt, we found the room and our job was to hand binders to the coaches as they walked in, then if they needed an extra chair getting one for them. After working for about an hour, we went back to Busch Stadium for a tour. We went just about everywhere, in the pressbox, dugout, the special clubs, it was really cool.
We then went to lunch with former Lynn women’s basketball player Megan Osmer. She works for former Lynn Women’s Basketball Coach Pam DeCosta at San Jose State University. We then walked back to the Hyatt, where our job was to make sure if the coaches needed more copies of their handouts we took a handout to the appropriate person to get more copies. My coach was Danielle O’Banion of the University of Memphis. I walked up to her and said Doo-Dah and she started laughing asking how I knew him. I told her he was my uncle, so we talked for a minute then she started her presentation to the coaches.
After this, we went to the Women’s Basketball National Championship game between UCONN and Louisville. The game started out going back and forth, then UCONN pulled away. So we left not too long into the second half, since we have to be in the lobby at 4:00 am for our flight.
Overall, this was a very unique trip. It was much diferent from the men’s last year. Last year it seemed like we did more, but that might be since we were there two extra days last year. Well later.
Gene
Women’s Final Four Day 4
So today was a little more relaxed. We woke up and I looked out the window and what do I see? I see freaking snow! April 6th in St. Louis and its SNOWING! Not what I expected.
We started by going to Hoop City again and working this again. We did the same things, but we rotated stations. After this we left to go to the Cardinals home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. We ended up leaving at the top of the 6th because Professors Curtis and Schapiro were getting cold. The Pirates ended up coming back to win.
After this, we went back to the hotel and relaxed then watched the UNC/Michigan State game on TV. Congrats to Roy Williams and the rest of his Tar Heels on a great season.
Gene
Women’s Final Four Day 2
So today was another 5:15 morning. We went downtown to split up, a couple people went to the 4Kay Run while others went to the March to the Arch. Before getting on the metro, since it was dawn, I took a picture of the arch through the arch in the wall, then of the sun rising over the bridge, and I had a cop tell me that was illegal for terrorism reasons. Luckily he just warned our group, since there were a couple other people taking pictures.
Then, later at the beginning of the March, I was kind of monitoring kids, and a couple kids would shoot at the goals provided, and there ball would wonder off down the adjoining street, so instead of making them run into a busy street, I just handed them a ball I had. I had created a collection at one point, and an older black man approached me asking for one for his daughter. Now, he was a very skeptical looking man, and when I told him, that if he brought his daughter over I would give her one. He proceeded to tell me she was in a wheelchair, now I was told only to give them to kids. I said just bring her over and I’d give her one, so he proceeded to ask if I was doing it because he’s black. Now, I feel that I am a very fair person, and don’t judge based on race. I had to keep from laughing but I held it back as not to anger him.
The one thing that made up for this was getting to meet Pat Summitt. She was a very nice person for her celebrity status. I told her my name and that I was working to become a coach in the near future and wanted to meet a legend such as herself. She looked me right in the eye and thanked me and said it was nice to meet me as well and shook my hand. Talking to Professor Curtis, this is what you call a Signature Moment Without a Signature.
After lunch, we went to the WBCA High School All-America game. This was a fun experience and a learning one as well. To start off, I had to help keep the line moving for the autographs for a couple of members of the State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team, and two players from the WNBA. After this, I went and acted like a security guard by the court, directing traffic and such. After the game, I made sure the line for the post-game autographs of the High School All-Americans. Afterwards, Professor Curtis and I talked about whether I could coach women’s basketball. I told him I wasn’t sure since I want to run and up-tempo style, and have a brusing style of play down-low. I also have worked with guy for so long, it would be hard to all of a sudden change for me.
Well, tomorrow we get to sleep in a little bit. Talk to you tomorrow
Gene
Women’s Final Four Day 1
Today I got up at 4:45 am to meet Professors Curtis and Schapiro in order to fly to St. Louis for this years Women’s Final Four. When we got on the plane in Ft. Lauderdale, Dax told the flight attendant it was Professor Curtis’ birthday. The flight attendant over the loud speaker announces it and says “Happy 65th birthday” without any prompt of age. The whole plane starts applauding, while we are laughing. Professor Curtis then tells him to announce that whoever told him about his birthday would get an F.
When we land we find out we have 5 minutes to make it to our gate. We luckily make it just in time, without realizing they were still holding the plane for an unaccomanied minor. The attendants were very rude, since our flight was late getting in, I also don’t think I saw them smile. This was all on AirTran.
When we got in, we first went to the hotel. We are at the Springhill Suites. This is an amazing hotel which could be mistaken for an apartment. Then we went downtown and went to the arch and went to the top. This was so much fun. We had 5 big guys cramped into a little egg-like pod. Then we went and got our credintals. We got nice jackets and shirts.
Tomorrow, we have to get up at 5 o’clock to go downtown to start working. So I’ll have more for you tomorrow.
Gene
My Thoughts On J-Term
So, this year, Lynn introduced J-Term, it is a two and a half week semester where we take one class that is more innovative then regular semester classes. I think it was a really good idea, but I was talking to a couple friends the other night and have some changes.
First, it was supposed to be seniors got first choice, then down the line, but with trips, it was first come first serve. Trips were being filled before registration started. Also, I feel that there could have been classes more designed towards the real world. As much as I love the Reflections on Pinstripes class I’m in (yes, its all about the Yankees), I think I could use my time more wisely. I could be learning more from our coaches and getting more training so I’m better prepared for the coaching profession.
Had I really thought about what I was going to take for J-Term, I would have done an internship because it would have been less class work for me to do, and allow me more free time with my friends.
J-Term is great, because it brought my friends back early and allows for more fans at our games than we would have had. Talking with Duck (our Head Athletic Trainer) it means that some of the spring sports will start up earlier.
Season Preview (my article from iPulse)
With nine returners from last year’s squad, the 2008-2009 Fighting Knights basketball team is looking to build on the success and experience of last year. Last year, the Knights went 16-13 overall and 8-8 in conference last year while advancing to the conference tournament semi-finals.          Â
Returning this year are seniors Luke Postorino, Randy Jones, and Dusty Pflugner; juniors Anthony Balsam and Brandon Kennedy; and sophomores Michael Baptiste, Chris Hall, Michel Vidal, and Michael Woo. Adding to this strong unit are juniors John “JB†Brown and Kendall Butler; sophomore Mike Tanner; and freshmen Bo Jukic, Jonathon Johnson, Jared Paul, and Pascal Schuler.           Â
With all these newcomers, it only helps that the three seniors will be running the point guard position. Jones started 22 games last year for the Knights, while Postorino led the team in minutes played with 32 per game. Postorino also has the most experience on the team, entering his third year. Pflugner is coming off of an injury plagued season after transferring from Virginia Military Institute.          Â
 “It’s been a long road with plenty of ups and downs along the way in my career,†said Pflugner. “I’m excited to finally be healthy, get back in shape, and be a contributing member of this championship level team. We have experienced guards and athletic big men who are ready to get the job done. I’m looking for one last run deep into March.â€Â          Â
Hall looks to build off a very successful year last year, which includes setting the Lynn single game scoring record with 42 in the SSC Tournament against Florida Tech.           Â
“That was just one game,†Hall said. “I still have a lot to get better at, including my defense. I need to step up and prove my worth to this team.â€Â          Â
The team was picked to finish fifth in the SSC by coaches and sports information directors around the league.           Â
“I’m looking forward to proving a lot of people wrong this season,†said Woo. “We feel that we can exceed the expectations that people outside of our team set for us. We are only going to take this ranking and use it as motivation.â€Â           Â
 “I can’t wait for the games to start,†said Lauren Fry, junior. “I think there are some great games on tap for this year. I can’t wait for the FAU game, its been too long since I’ve watched the blue and white.â€Â          Â
The Fighting Knights tip-off on Nov. 5 at FAU Arena against the cross-town foe FAU Owls. The home opener is Nov. 8 against Division I Bethune-Cookman.
A Professor Who Makes You Learn and You Don’t Even Know It
I was talking with a couple of my friends after a Professor Curtis class and we all came to the same conclusion,he makes you learn without you knowing that you’re learning. He makes his classes fun and applies his lessons to his students. He doesn’t just teach straight from the textbook.
For example, the other day we were talking about parking at stadiums and the receipt you receive. Instead of just saying its a contract and you can’t change it, he gave us a little mini-play about it and then discussed it. My roommate, Anthony, said that he loves taking his classes since we don’t stay the entire time, but learn more than from most classes that go later.
Outside of class, Professor Curtis is also a very understanding person. When we were in San Antonio for the Final Four, he let me go visit my aunt and uncle who were staying at a hotel a couple of blocks away, even though we really didn’t know the city. If I am going home for a vacation and have to miss his class, he is understanding since he knows that I don’t get a lot of time to go because of basketball.
This article is in no way to say the other professors don’t make you learn, Professor Curtis just has a unique style.
The Final Four Wrap-up
On Monday, we got up and went to the Alamo. Here we looked around and filmed a little bit more of our project. After here, we went to the Convention Center to do work the last day of the Fan Experience. UCLA, Kansas, and Memphis were having their parties as well during the Fan Experience. UNC’s alumni decided to go back home. During the Fan Experience, I got to meet Denny Crum, the former coach at Louisville who won a national championship. My dad told me that he knows my uncle, and when I asked him about him, he remembered him. After it was over I was in charge of staying with the National Championship trophy until someone came to pick it up. When I was done with that, I hurried over to the Alamodome for the game, where we watched a great game. Neither team could ever pull too far away from the either. One thing that caused Memphis to let it get away, was Memphis’ free throw shooting, even though they shot really well the rest of the tournament. Kansas played a great game. I hope that Chris Douglas-Roberts, Derrick Rose, and the rest of the underclassmen at Memphis come back next year to fight for a National Title.
We got up at 6:30 yesterday to catch a 9:00 flight back here. We flew to Houston and then on to Fort Lauderdale. When we landed in Fort Lauderdale, we saw rapper Fat Joe in the terminal. We got back to campus at about 3 o’clock. I have been hounded by people asking how the trip was, and all I can say is amazing! I hope that I get to go again next year!
When I checked my e-mail, I had an email from the Director of Marketing, Jason Hughes telling me that a local writer from Little Rock wanted to interview me about the trip. I gave him my phone number. I hope he calls me for this, because I want people from Little Rock to know what an amazing time I had and to encourage more Arkansas high school students to come to South Florida for school.
Gene
An Easy Day, and then the bombshell
Well, today was a lot slower than the previous days of our trip. We started the by arriving at the Convention Center at 11 to meet with some of the PrimeSport executives. We did a debriefing of the previous days events. This was very beneficial, because they wanted our opinions on ho to make the Fan Experience, Elite Experience, and school parties even better than they were. They loved our ideas and told us the compliments that they had received about how the programs went.
When we left here, we went to the Dome Dribble and help guide kids on where to go. This was very easy as we just relaxed and helped direct traffic of kids. When this was over, a bunch of us went back to the hotel and relaxed, until we went back over to the convention center and went to either the CokeFest or Hoop City. I went to the CokeFest for a couple of minutes and watched Taylor Swift perform. After about 10 minutes I got really hot and went inside and watched some wheelchair basketball, which is as much fun to watch as regular basketball.
After this, we all met back up where we got told to meet in the hotel lobby dressed up and we’d find out the rest then. When we got together, we found out that we needed to do a project for PrimeSport and Lynn. We have to do testimonials and interviews with each other to distribute to future PrimeSport clients and future Lynn students.
Well tomorrow is the National Championship game, so that will be exciting. Talk to you later
All my love,
Gene
