While this topic may not always be front-and-center in the
mainstream media, it continues to be a widely discussed issue
among coaches. It’s also a topic that has as many sub plots as
there are coaches working in the profession.
As coaches we all encourage our fan base to come out and lend
its support to our respective teams. We will work hard to put a
great product on the field of play and we want the community to
embrace us.
The fan-school relationship is one of the things that make
college athletics so great. By in large ‘game day’ is an
uneventful event. Translation -- everyone enjoys the experience
and it unfolds without an incidents.
Unfortunately that is not always the case.
Whether it’s recognized or not, the fact is that the line
between fan and fanatic is often blurred. Some time ago the
simple clapping and supporting of one’s team gravitated to
booing and jeering. For the most the part that was okay, but
somewhere along the line the hollering and yelling got ugly.
On some levels it almost seems like a competition of sorts. How
can one fan outdo the other? One outrageous act or comment is
met with another seemingly more repulsive act or remark.
This isn’t about being the best fan. That line has been crossed.
It goes without say that racial remarks and comments of a
personal nature are going too far. But it’s not only the person
targeted by the fan that suffers. How about all those fans who
simply want to attend the game? They are caught in the
crossfire.
Recently I heard a story of a how a young fan who pleaded with
her father to leave the game they were attending because the
fans seated behind them were so obnoxious. The stupidity lasted
for the entire game.
When you go to the arena, ballpark or stadium you know -- that
to some degree -- you will have to endure a few idiots. But does
those idiots have the right to ruin the experience for others?
Did they buy that right when they purchased their ticket?
Of course not, but that doesn’t seem to keep them from preaching
their moronic sermon, as if to impress all those seated around
them.
Again, the majority of fans are respectful when attending the
game, but it does seem that there are more unruly fans today
then there were just ten years ago.
For whatever reason some think because they are fans that it
somehow gives them the right to do as they please. That type of
behavior just cannot be tolerated.
So what can be done?
As I noted in my opening, this is a topic that has as many sub
plots as there are coaches working in the profession. I would
hope that some of my peers would voice their thoughts, share
their experiences and offer some ideas that we can all benefit
from.
The college athletic experience is one that should be enjoyed by
all. Even one bad fan is too many.
Leadership
Wins in March
by
Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech
So what
is the secret formula for success? The obvious response
would be talent and that's true, but it goes way beyond
a player's athleticism. Talent will only take you so
far. In March you need much more than shear talent.
To some extent, we as coaches have lost sight of what it
takes to win. Certainly you want to recruit players of
high skill level, but those players must also possess
other qualities. Most importantly, they must be of high
character.
And character is more than just an individual quality.
Players with high character are the best teammates. That
sounds simple enough, but it's not.
I once heard a coach say, “Your best player must also be
your hardest worker.” That is absolutely correct.
So many kids think they know what it is to put forth
100% every time they set foot on the court, but most of
them have no idea what working hard really is.
They think they are playing hard, but what they think
and what is reality are often two totally different
things. Too many kids come to college playing for the
sake of playing instead of playing to win.
Those who understand what it takes are easy to spot.
They are participating in the postseason.
People around the country are now learning what most
coaches already knew in that Davidson’s Stephen Curry is
an outstanding player. Everybody talks about his talent,
but he is more then just a great player. He leads by
example and makes everyone on Davidson better. His team
is now in the Sweet 16. Ask Bobby McKillop how important
his leadership is.
Another player from the state of North Carolina, who
will most likely be everyone’s choice for National
Player of the Year, Tyler Hansbrough does a lot more
then just score and rebound. You’ve heard the
expression, “He plays every game like it’s his last.”
Well Hansbrough plays every possession like it’s his
last.
I remember three years ago watching the highlights of
the Big East Tournament when Gerry McNamara willed
Syracuse to a Big East championship. Most believed that
Orange wouldn’t even get out of their opening round game
against Cincinnati. Instead they won four games in four
days and were crowned Big East champions. Take nothing
away from the other members of that team, but it was
McNamara’s leadership and will to win that put Syracuse
over the top.
Of course leaders don’t only exist at the highest level.
We are just more familiar with them because of the high
profile exposure they receive. San Diego head coach Bill
Grier has an outstanding floor leader that can be
defined by word leader.
Brandon Johnson is a perfect example of what a great
teammate is all about. Late in the game he sustained an
injury and was visibly hampered as San Diego tried to
hold off a Connecticut rally.
He pushed himself until he had no choice but to leave
the court after picking up his fifth foul. His presence
and leadership helped the Toreros beat the Huskies in
overtime. It was the program’s first-ever NCAA
tournament win.
Siena’s Kenny Hasbrouck is another player that does
everything expected from a leader. He not only sets an
example for the younger players, but he takes them under
his wing and helps them to become better players and
make better contributions to the team.
He is a one-man support staff that accepts
responsibility and supports his teammates if they make a
mistake. He’s not head-and-shoulders above his teammates
in terms of pure talent, but few players on any team, in
any league, work as hard. And he still strives to be
better.
A player like that is invaluable.
You may recall the great run St. Joseph’s had a few
years ago. Head coach Phil Martelli had a very good
team, which was led by another invaluable player in
Jameer Nelson
Sure he was the popular choice for National Player of
the Year, be he was also the ultimate program player.
His character, work ethic, leadership and toughness made
him a vital component in St. Joe's success.
Remember when Bucknell defeated Kansas in the opening
round of the tournament in 2006? Head coach Pat Flannery
had a roster full of hard working players, but Charles
Lee steps to the front because of his title -- Patriot
League Player of the Year.
A casual observer might not be overly impressed by
looking at his statistics, but if you watched Charles
play you would understand why he was so highly regarded.
He could do a lot of things on the floor, but his
biggest contribution was making those around him better
and leading by example.
Go back a little further. Remember how important Dee
Brown and Deron Williams were to Illinois’ run to the
NCAA championship game? Much was been made about their
talent level, which is not surprising because they were
also coach Bruce Weber’s hardest workers. Both brought a
great approach to the floor, which is contagious.
Everybody loves to win, but Dee Brown and Deron Williams
hated to lose. There is a difference and that’s what
made them special.
How about former University of Washington star, Brandon
Roy. He was the epitome of hard work and a relentless
vigor on the floor. Like so many players, Roy is loaded
with talent, but it's all the intangibles that make him
such a great player. He's a great teammate.
In 2006 and 2007 it was Florida’s Joakim Noah who
brought those same qualities to the floor each and every
day. He played with a passion almost refusing to let the
Florida Gators lose.
It should have come as no surprise that Florida and all
of the aforementioned teams enjoyed success. There were
varying degrees of success based largely on supporting
casts, but the fact that is that both Florida (2006 and
2007) and Siena (2008) had successful season and that’s
due in large part to players like Noah and Hasbrouck.
Of course I would be remised if I did not point out that
Virginia Tech basketball is fortunate to have a leader
like Deron Washington. He has been everything a coach
could have hoped for during his career. He plays with
that passion and enthusiasm, both on game day and on the
practice floor.
That’s special.
And that is something that all those I have mentioned
have done over the course of their careers. They all
practiced like it was a game. They are all examples of
how you practice is ultimately how you play.
Whether on the practice court or on game day, each of
these players has an abundance of individual talent, but
they have also led by example, getting their teammates
to become better players. That transforms good teams
into great teams.
And this is only scratching the surface. Every team that
has or will be a part of the NCAA tournament (and every
team participating in the NIT and College Basketball
Invitational) now or in the future will have at least
one player that fits this mold. The best of the group
will help their teams advance. At times, they will
actually will their team to victory.
As coaches, we try to be as thorough as possible in
evaluating prospective recruits. We don't just simply
grade them on ability. We try to identify their
commitment to academics, their commitment to the team
and their commitment to winning.
Talent can get you to the tournament, but the best
leaders help you to advance.
It's Not All Glamour - The Game within a Game
by
Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech
How many
college sports span two semesters? Just one. Unlike
football, which begins and ends in the fall semester or
baseball, which is starts and finishes in the second
semester, college basketball covers both.
The length of the season is something that many
observers simply take for granted in that they don’t
truly appreciate the demands it puts on those involved.
Practice begins long before the family gathers for
Thanksgiving dinner. And by the time it’s all over, many
Americans will be celebrating the Easter holiday.
It’s a grind!
The demands, both academically and emotionally are
tremendous. Anyone who has ever attended a college or
university understands the discipline that it necessary
to achieve success. Now couple that with practice and
games. And that doesn’t include travel and potential
media demands.
As fans it’s easy to overlook such factors. After all,
the great majority has never been through the rigors of
the season. Without a reference point, it is difficult
if not impossible to relate.
But imagine often missing that Thanksgiving dinner with
your family. Think about “at-best” an abbreviated
Christmas or Hanukah with your love ones. Now go back to
your college days and imagine working on fundamentals
while your friends soak up the sun during Spring Break.
These facts are especially challenging to incoming
freshmen.
Quite often people will wonder why young players, who
began the season playing so well, have hit a wall of
sorts in January of February. Quite often there is good
reason for this.
As a high school senior you have been told what the
college game is like and you think you have a pretty
good grasp on the NCAA experience. Once you get on
campus it doesn’t take long to realize that it’s much
different then you had expected.
As coaches we do our best to help the young players get
acclimated to their new situations. For many it’s their
first time being far from home and therein lies another
factor that many don’t often consider.
For freshmen the game within the game can be a tough
mountain to climb, but the angle of the incline doesn’t
diminish for the upperclassmen.
With conference tournament just around the bend, the
holiday season seems like a distant memory for most, but
many juniors and seniors haven’t had a real holiday with
the family in four or five years.
It’s not easy watching everyone on campus pack their
bags and head home to visit family, knowing that you
will spend the next four, five or six weeks in what
amounts to a ghost town.
By in large campuses all across the country are deserted
for most of December of January. That can be a difficult
thing for players to deal with. And just when it seems
like everyone is back in school, the bags are packed
again and students depart for Spring Break.
Let’s not forget -- These are kids.
In the coming weeks a great number of players, all
across the country, will be thrust into the spotlight
because of big shots, big steals, big rebounds and big
wins. But the spotlight will also highlight the big
miss, big turnover, big foul and the big loss.
Nobody plays the game in hopes of experiencing the
latter, but it is the reality of the game. Dealing with
that can often be difficult, to say the least.
If you have a bad day in the office, your boss may say
something to you. However chances are that it won’t be
written about in the local paper or discussed across the
airwaves. Likewise, when you perform above and beyond in
the office, your boss may commend you, but chances are
that you won’t receive a standing ovation from your
co-workers.
The point doesn’t highlight the length of the season,
but the positive or negative result can linger through a
long season, neither of which is necessarily good. It
cannot be stressed enough -- They are just kids and we
expect and often demand too much.
By this point many of you are undoubtedly rolling your
eyes and chuckling at the thought of a college
basketball player having a tough and demanding
existence. Perhaps there was some effect attached to the
points above, but only for the purposes of highlighting
the realities.
I am not trying to make anyone weep for student athlete,
but I do think that a better understanding of the
tremendous demands is all too often dismissed in favor
of the glamour.
It’s not all glitz and glamour.
Bouncing Back - The Psychology of the Game
by
Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech
Recently
collegeinsider.com approached me about doing a
season-long feature on the aspects of the mental
approach to the game. Being somewhat of a head case
myself, I agreed.
For the foreseeable future, I will offer my thoughts on
the Psychology of the game, from dealing with
expectations to being mentally prepared to face the
challenges of conference play. For the first installment
I will take a look at dealing with a tough loss.
As most of you know, we recently lost a hard-fought
contest at Duke, on a long shot at the buzzer. Given the
fact that it was played at Cameron Indoor, against the
No. 1 ranked team in America, had many people asking the
question, “How will Virginia Tech recover?”
It’s a valid question.
The most important game on the schedule is always the
next game. What happened yesterday or what could happen
two weeks later are not important. It is all about
focusing on the now. You cannot afford to get caught in
the last game, win or lose. You have to look at it,
learn from it and move forward.
In the aftermath of the loss to Duke, everyone was
obviously upset by the fact that we didn’t win.
Bothered, but not bewildered. Down, but not discouraged.
It’s a fine line, but you don’t want to find yourself on
the wrong side of it.
Our players came away with an understanding of what
could happen if they accomplished what they set out to
do. We competed, stayed focus, played with a purpose and
displayed a great mental toughness. Sure we did not win
the game, but we did everything we set out to do and it
took a shot from near halfcourt to beat us.
We were able to turn a negative into a positive. Our
players embraced the idea that we can play with anyone,
provided that we put forth the effort.
Now being agreeable to an idea and embracing one are two
different things. You can talk about what you did or
didn’t accomplish and you can expand on what you have to
do next, but you still have to go out and do it.
As coaches we also try to reinforce the idea that, “it’s
not about the opponent, it’s about us.” If the opponent
had been “Eastern Central Northwest Tech,” instead of
Duke, it still would have been a tough loss. Regardless
of the opponent, you have to put the loss behind you and
commit yourself to a sustained effort against the most
important opponent -- your next opponent.
It should be noted that dealing with success is no
different.
Winning one big game is nice, but all it does is make
the next game that much more important. Each game is a
separate entity, regardless of its outcome. How many
times have you witnessed a big win for a team? It’s
talked about for days, but the next time out that team
loses. Everything gained by that big win is lost.
You hear coaches all the time say, “we can’t look
ahead,” or “we are taking this one game at a time.” Sure
they are often used phrases, but they aren’t just
coach-speak. If we don’t follow that path we will most
certainly be thrown off it. The more often the words are
spoken, the more they are reinforced.
In our case, our team responded with a great win over
North Carolina A&T. No I did not overstate the point.
There is no such thing as a “pretty good win” or a “not
so bad win.” All wins are great and all loses are bad.
Long-term success is dependent on taking it one pitch,
one snap or one possession at a time. Approaching it any
other way will result in a short-term.
