5-on-5
with Oklahoma's Kelvin Sampson
DAVE MAGARITY: What can we do to change the negative perception
of our profession?
KELVIN SAMPSON: Take care of yourself. Live life with integrity
and character. You have to have character when others are not around as
well.
MAGARITY: How much do you think you can accomplish as NABC
President?
SAMPSON: I think it's important to qualify what "accomplish" is.
It is an honor and a privilege to lead our organization is such a
tumultuous time. The actions of a few have to come to a head this year,
but I am most proud of the progress which we continue to make. For the
first time ever, the entire NCAA staff was in attendance at an NABC
meeting. Myles Brand and his people are committed to making our game
better and helping coaches. They are revisiting many rules in an effort
to better serve the game. I feel very good about the partnership we have
with Myles Brand and the NCAA.
MAGARITY: From all your years of coaching, who is the one player
made the most lasting impression?
SAMPSON: Eduardo Najera and Hollis Price. When we are young we
have heroes, but as we get older we have people that inspire us and
Eduardo and Hollis inspired me. Eduardo scored a 7 on the ACT because he
could not speak English. As a redshirt freshman he enrolled in two
accelerated English courses and quickly made tremendous strides. He took
the ACT again and scored an 18. He called me when he signed his
five-year 24 million dollar contract with Dallas. Hollis was just a
consummate leader. Some are given the title of leader, but others
continue to earn the respect and admiration of others, each and every
day?
MAGARITY: Which is more likely to happen in the next 100 years,
the Red Sox winning the World Series or Ted Williams returning to the
lineup?
SAMPSON: (laughing) I suppose that depends on the the advancements in
cryogenics. Boston should have been in the World Series this season.
They are close. It will be an interesting off season, but they have a
chance to be better in 2004?
MAGARITY: Who would have been a better coach, General Lee or
General Grant?
SAMPSON: That's a great question. Grant's teams would have been
ranked higher, but Lee would have been better at overcoming injuries and
adversity. He overachieved, doing so much more with so much less.
