“Success is a Choice” … I first heard this phrase when Rick Pitino wrote a book that had this as the title. It is one of the best quotes I have heard. In fact, I have borrowed it as the primary motto for my basketball program over the years. It goes on all of our letterhead, locker room posters and motivational pieces. In general, every person has the choice of how they act and behave.
Kirsten Moore Overcomes Adversity
The following excerpt is from Bill Plaschke’s article in the L.A. Times (originally posted on March 31, 2013) about Kirsten Moore, the head women’s basketball coach at Westmont College. She recently led her team to the NAIA National Championship. This story is an amazing example of perseverance and overcoming adversity. Kirsten is a first-class individual and is well-respected in the coaching profession. She certainly has a bright future ahead of her in the coaching world, but as you’ll see from Plaschke’s great article, it is her past which fuels her present and future.Defense Still Wins Championships
It has often been said that “Defense Wins Championships”. In fact, I previously wrote a post that talked about it. As a college basketball coach, I am certainly aware that there are a lot of factors that work together to contribute to a team winning a game and eventually a championship. However, I am convinced that defense is the most prevalent common denominator when it comes to successful teams. As I recently served on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Basketball Tournament Committee, I got a first-hand view of the importance of defense (originally posted on March 30, 2013). Coaching Short List for Athletic Directors
(originally published on March 20, 2013)
This is the time of the year when there are a lot of open basketball coaching positions. Most good athletic directors should have some kind of a working list of potential replacements if they should ever have an opening in one of their sports. Yes, they can accept resumes but they should have some names and ideas of people that they might want to go after. This is the same whether you are a DI athletic director or a small college athletic director.
Best Basketball Not on TV
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| Westmont’s Tugce Canitez vs. Sue Bird |
(originally published on March 17, 2013)
March Madness is upon us and eyes are glued to the TV watching conference tournaments to see who’s bubble bursts and who’s dreams come true. However, there is some madness going on in Frankfort, KY that is under-the-radar. The NAIA women’s basketball national tournament is down to its’ final four teams. The “Fab Four” games will take place on Monday. Westmont (CA) University will join three teams from Tennessee: Lee University, Freed Hardeman University and Cumberland University in the Fab Four. This tournament may be lacking UCONN or Brittney Griner but it certainly is not lacking excitement, talent or story lines.
The Best College Football Coach
This past Saturday (originally published on December 20, 2012), did you watch ESPN and see the best college football coach in the country lead his team to another National Championship? What, you say? Nick Saban had the weekend off . . . Alabama didn’t play. I am not talking about the Crimson Tide or the Notre Dame Fighting Irish or any other BCS team.
The Influence of a Leader
(editor’s note: originally published on December 5, 2012)
With the recent death of Rick Majerus (25 years as a head coach at Marquette, Ball State, Utah, St. Louis and only had one losing season), story after story was devoted to retelling his life story and what kind of impact he had on others. It certainly got me thinking again about what kind of influence we have on those around us.
Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day
Long lines of customers along with protestors converged on Chick-fil-A restaurants all across the country today (originally posted on August 2, 2012). The unusual attention was in response to former presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, calling today “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day”. This came after Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s president and son of founder Truett Cathy, made comments about traditional marriage and same-sex unions two weeks ago.
Stupid is…as Stupid does
Athletes doing immature or stupid things give other athletes a bad name. The following athletes did things this week (originally published on July 31, 2012) that make you go hhhmmmm and shake your head. There are also lots of links to other articles about these topics to further entertain you. In honor of the huge event starting up this week – NFL Training Camp – we will highlight a trio of diva wide receivers. Oh, and for the other minor event starting up this week, we’ll lead off with an Olympian.
Solution to NCAA’s Transfer Problems
This is the NCAA’s lucky day (originally published on May 22, 2012) because I have the solutions for their transfer policies, which have come under considerable fire in recent weeks and months (e.g. Maryland Football, Wisconsin Basketball, St. Joseph’s Basketball). To set the stage before I give you the solution, below are a few articles that should provide further insight on the topic.