Inside the Pylon: The Student Athlete's Team Primer by Sportademics.Com LLC

Contents Introduction 3 I. Getting Cut

Questions and Responses:

II. Making the TEAM: 6 III. Making Good TEAM Decisions 6 IV. Practice

V. Training and Individual Skills 8 VI. Nutrition

Healthy Athletic Foods Summary

VII. Sleep 10 VIII. Grades

IX. Team Rules 11 X. Coming Off the Bench

XI. Pearls 12 XII. Conclusions 13

Introduction

lishing a double standard due to their being starters or the upcoming tournament play.

As I neared the very end of my high school bucket career, the coach told us that our number 1 point guard and 6-7 center (both superb players) would not be with us for the state tourney. These guys had never been perfect, and to this day I don't know the what’s or why’s of the non-team actions they did to disrupt a surging small town dangerous basketball squad. These were the "Hoosier" days when all the teams were tossed into a 500 team tourney without regard to school size. David versus Goliath was a reality and kids actually shot for hours through baskets in and outside of barns. Most of these kids were damn good playing blind horse and missing a free throw or layup was unacceptable. Unfortunately these two starters pushed the coach too far and he gave them the boot, knowing that a good group of 10 other guys on that team would probably not see a playoff game in the state tournament.

Following the dismissals the newspapers, students, teachers, and even some parents wrote our team off since the coach had then substituted into the starting lineup a JV and freshman player, both with potential. However, the rest of the team got together and vowed to make anyone playing us endure the biggest struggle they'd ever face in life. Maybe by some stroke of luck we'd get into the final eight of the state finals. The tourney began and the team caught fire-especially defensively. We had to win multiple games to get to a sectional final, the final step before the big dance. We played a school that had ten times as many students and was a real powerhouse. The media was all over this David versus Goliath story, and most said we couldn't even begin to compete. They were wrong. Our team--our 10 man scrappy TEAM played together, doing all the things you need to do to win, only to lose at the buzzer. I've won and lost at many things in life, but in walking off with my teammates after scoring/defending/ rebounding as well as I could with a splint on my fractured shooting hand, despite losing, I felt like a true winner. The crowd in their gym gave us a standing ovation lasting seemingly forever for the true grit we’d displayed--a true total team effort. What a way to go out! Though it’s some times discounted, athletics can indeed teach life's hard lessons and enable one to endure, to react well under stress, to be a professional, work under adversity, and become a TEAM player.

It goes further. This basketball coach in this small Midwest town was berated for single handedly destroying a very good small town team by virtually everyone with the exception of his wife and kids. As the #2 shooting guard I was a bit introspective regarding the coach's actions toward these two guys. All I heard was that their behavior had not conformed to team rules--which everyone received on day one of practice before cuts. In my mind the coach did what he had to do without estab-

The Athlete's Primer is all about what one does as an individual to help his or her TEAM. Along the way we will strive for realism with some honest concerns and even doubts expressed about youth athletics. Not everything in youth athletics and beyond is super fantastic, awesome or the like. Upfront some highly 4

knowledgeable parents and insightful kids will say that, as much good as athletics provides, it hurts just as many young people as it helps. At best, these folks maintain youth athletics is therefore a wash. I disagree. On our own stage or playing level we are all athletes. No one alive would dispute the health benefits of exercise along with the kudos and social fruits of competing and being on a team. No one can be or do everything, and individually we all have our special skills that at times can be superior to most. Walking away from soccer at age 12 due to not making the top tier team makes no sense if you love to play soccer, compete, and enjoy being on a TEAM. Grades, school, attitude, and the long term effects of positive reinforcement are all there to be experienced on that second tier team. Given that players develop at different rates physically, and one’s performance is always open to subjective assessment, giving up an activity you love really doesn’t make sense. Plus, life can be just unfair at times, but that doesn’t mean you quit. So, get on that second tier team, attempt to beat the top team, and learn life's hard lessons: that to make the top team I need not only talent, but hard work. Am I putting in many more hours in individual practice as compared with regular team practices and games?

our culture. To be sure, I have seen elation as the parent car pool driver when someone who “for certain” was getting cut made the team. I wanted to walk into their house and celebrate with the youth athlete and his family. But I've also car pooled a group of girls following competitive cheer tryouts when half of them were sobbing-when deep in their hearts they knew that popularity, appearance, hair, cheer outfits, voice, grades, and the luck of landing a reverse flip mattered more than how well they’d performed during tryouts. What would they do the rest of the year after many of their friends went into the popular cheer cult and the rest became social second fiddles? The Athletic Primer doesn't have all the answers for everyone, but we've got a few.

I. Getting Cut Who the heck started this idea? No one talks about it--it is just too ugly. It means (or implies to some extent in our culture and most others) that you are second rate. You don't belong at this skill level at this time, and you need to come back next year and tryout again. Hmmmm . . . after all my competitors have played the sport for a full year, I'm supposed to come back and tryout again in order to make a team. That is basically every coach’s standard answer: “come back next year.” Parents, players, coaches and bystanders watch as the young person goes home, closes the door to his room and sulks, later walking out in a couple hours having absorbed

Finally I ask, why did I really endeavor to write this book for Sportademics.com? I cannot say that I've seen it all, but I've seen enough as a parent and multi-sport coach to really know and understand where we are with athletics within 5

at yourself in the mirror. If the young competitive athlete didn't put the time into the sport to develop the talent, then it wasn't a priority—and despite what the family says, the sport wasn't for him or her anyways. If they did put the effort into practice and came up short, I empathize with this athlete. There may be no other opportunity to be on a team in that sport in that area. One can ask to be on the practice squad, join a smaller squad, work out yourself, or travel to where pickup games are being played. There is no easy answer. Michael Jordan was cut from a small North Carolina high school basketball team as a sophomore and he moved on by practicing to make the team his next year. Sheer confidence and his love of the sport drove him to persevere and achieve greater accomplishments as a basketball player.

a rather painful life lesson. Athletics can be very tough on kids. I don't see much good coming out of this situation, but it happens thousands of times every year to thousands of kids in all sports--and NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT. Let's examine “cutting” a tad further. Questions and Responses: (1) Does the youth really--I mean really-want to play, or is it a parent insisting he or she play? Is it my child or me dribbling a soccer ball around the house, in a park, or in the basement? Am I out shooting hoops by myself while my kid is inside playing video games? Does the young person try to find neighborhood games? Do they watch sports on TV to try to get better at the sport?

(3) What effect will it have on the youth? Inspire to improve or go into a tailspin?

If the answer is NO then the cut probably makes sense. While one can dream about playing on a competitive team, you have to put in the time to develop the individual talent to help your TEAM to be seriously considered for the squad. If the talent and drive isn't there, it ain't there - and that’s OK. Move onto another sport or some other kind of activity you enjoy.

A cut is a cut no matter how the coach spins it. A few will be inspired, but most will sulk, lose confidence, and never return to the sport. If the love of the sport isn't there or not accompanied by the desire to improve, the cut is probably OK. Family members should be supportive and maintain communication. Coaches, teachers, and other significant adults should be encouraging, offer their life experiences, and assist the youth who’s cut in moving in a positive direction in other sports, extracurriculars, or academics rather than sulking or becoming negative in any way. (4) Are we ready (preemptively) to handle the cut emotionally? If a young athlete is on the fence regarding making a team, then he or she has to take stock of themselves and be prepared that they may be cut, even when they have given it their all. It usually isn't the end of the world, and as the cut athlete discovers, he or she may regroup and make a come back, or move on to other endeavors. It's OK to feel a bit down and depressed for a short period, but realis-

(2) Was this cut an aberration: poor tryout, unlucky, nervous, or bad karma with the coaches? One can blame many factors involved in the cut, however ultimately you only have to look 6

tically one has to face the facts, move on, and develop positive ideas and goals. We all fail multiple times in life. I've failed at stuff more than anyone I know, but I've won a few also. Let's move on.

jeopardize the team by staying out past curfew and drinking, especially if you are underage. Being on an athletic TEAM carries with it a responsibility for making good decisions. Trust me, your parents and coaches will drill good decision making into your cranium by their actions and words if you misbehave. And there may not be second chances. For example, If you attend school on a military base such as the Air Force Academy and contraband is detected in your car, you are not allowed a trial, hearing, appeal, or anything else. You are simply barred from coming back on the base. Any base. This holds true for many other private and public schools and colleges as well. Think about that. One bad decision and I'm gone—not only from the team, but from the school, even if it's a non-school event and I didn't know the exact rules (never an excuse).

II. Making the TEAM: We've passed the cut. I'm now on the cheer, basketball, ski, volleyball, or swim team, etc. I have friends and athletes that did and didn't make the team. One thing you cannot do is gloat. No one likes a pompous braggart. Be positive towards everyone, including parents, coaches, those who made the team and those who didn’t. Do not start speculating about what if, etc. You made the team. Be proud of being selected but don’t let it go to your head. Above all, set an example.

III. Making Good TEAM Decisions Never underestimate the power of social or human entropy. What is that? Well, entropy is a term from thermodynamics referring to a given tendency for all matter to turn into disorder in all ways. Said another way, nothing ever stays the same for very long. As imperfect humans by nature, we all have a propensity without expending energy to implode or act irrationally, impulsively, by profit, greed, self interest, or to harm others, usually unintended. At all levels, if and when a coach says you're not starting, then don't "go off.” Practice some self control and accept it, and then do what it takes to get your hard earned playing time back. Do what the coach expects you to do: fight to regain your position. Remember there are literally tons of things that can happen to one of the other starters: bad grades, bad behavior, bad play, or bad illness.

You now have a responsibility to the team in many ways, but most of all to keep your grades decent and follow the team rules on and off the field. Do I mess with drugs, weapons, or the law itself? Obviously not. Implicit in this is not hanging with a bad crowd, or even good kids that make poor decisions. Even if you are not directly involved in an illegal or improper activity, you may be blamed as an accomplice to whatever goes down. Think about this while you are out with friends. Many kids that make poor decisions are already on the fence with their behavior, and to hang with them invites trouble for yourself and ultimately your team. If you’re leading the volleyball team in digs, you can seriously

Why is this important? You will be faced with multiple decisions in your life regarding you, your family, and your career. It’s a fact: learning 7

Cheer leading and swimming are the top two sports which have been associated with success as we measure it later in life (less depression, happiness with job and family, stable jobs, marriages etc.) All sports are associated statistically with a better adult life by common indices of what one would consider to be important life skills. While serving as an event timer at a youth swim meet one long day in a far away town, a physician and I were talking about what a great group of kids we had on the team and how fantastic many were doing after high school and beyond. This family doctor, who also had kids on the team, observed it was simply the sport of swimming itself. That is, the drive, endurance, failing to quit, the practice and social support of teammates—as well as coaching and parental support—all led to kids later succeeding in life. Perhaps the most negative thing I ever heard from that fun group of kids was a teammate climbing over the fence and swimming at the Club pool after hours. Decisions by that swim team to practice, personally improve, and do what it took to be the best individual and team member that they could be led to a great TEAM and individually accomplished swimmers.

to handle seemingly adverse decisions well as a young athlete leads to critically correct decisions later in life. You'll be able to get through a difficult time in your job, marriage, church, and family for having faced some tough days in youth sports. Some day your boss may walk in, commend you for doing a great job, and in the next breath, tell you that you’re being transferred out of state—even though you've got kids in middle and high school, in scouts, club sports, church groups, etc. You'll need a ton of fortitude and grit to get through something of this order, and athletics can prepare you for these tough life experiences. Yes, you've made the cut, but life presents “cuts” that at times seem to be never ending. Just like the athlete who gets cut, you must learn to endure and move on. There will be little time to cry, and you need to step up and profit from a set back. Move to that new job, get involved, and remember the great time you had in the Midwest or wherever.

One thinks of swimming as an individual sport, however on that team one only heard, "How's our team doing in the 100 individual fly?” These swimmers went on to become good collegians, good spouses and parents, obtain good jobs, careers, and the like. Many are now positive forces in youth groups as teachers, ministers, and part time coaches, etc. In short, the good decisions these swimmers made in what many consider solely an individual sport, led to a great TEAM then and also, for their future lives. It is that simple. These kids chose to work and practice together at 6 a.m. during the summer so their TEAM would profit. What is it about cheer leading that leads to good decisions? One thinks of endless "cat

hit, then on the other side of the ball you must be better than normal. You can still win if you don’t allow the opponent to score. Your team may lose one or more of your best players. Your team can still win with true grinding and a positive attitude to do what it takes to get the job done. This skill is developed from PRACTICE, game experience, true commitment to the TEAM, along with trust and confidence in your teammates. If you are open for a 13 footer, you are expected to "knock down" that shot. It may be your team's only good look on that possession and it beats throwing up junk hoping the ref will bail you out with a foul call.

fights,” however the energy required to work in a TEAM setting makes cheer leading perhaps the most daunting of all sports. Cheer leading may be more difficult than hitting a golf ball straight, or even getting the barrel of a bat on a baseball. Setting aside individual differences and one’s personal desires for a CHEER TEAM is vital. No one is in the limelight in every routine and may not even be included at all. One may be asked to do the most aerobic or demanding part of the routine, though they may not want to for many reasons. The end product of a successful cheer routine represents the summation and synergy of multiple individuals sacrificing for the greater good—the CHEER TEAM. Good decisions are required by all for the best TEAM performance that can possibly be achieved.

IV. Practice Practice is what makes a team together with the individual skills in summation. Practices are for team drills, plays, strategy, endurance, spirit, and working together. The quarterback must know whether a blind pass before the wideout breaks will be expected by that receiver. Executing a press in basketball, knowing that if I trap and miss, being now out of position requires substantial speed to retreat since the opposition now has us outmanned. One needs to know your teammates very well: as well as your family. You are spending a ton of time with these people, so it makes sense to practice to improve as a team together. If the breaking guard coming off a pick expects the ball, then it's your job to get him or her the ball early—not when the defense has collapsed or the threat is already to the basket. A late pass is a win for the other team.

In essence being on a TEAM requires practice to improve TEAM skills. Within the practice there will be TEAM drills which will improve your individual skills. Mastering these drills in conjunction with your teammates is a must for positive practices and effective play during competitions. Remember: your game skills and effectiveness will be the average of your practice as a TEAM and individually.

Not all practices will be good ones. Some practice days the team doesn't mesh. During many actual games and scrimmages your team will not mesh. That is why you are practicing. You need to learn how to make the best of bad situations. If you cannot block, or score, or

V. Training and Individual Skills You are the one who determines in large part how your TEAM fares. Most sports require 9

VI. Nutrition

three times as much practice as game time. Avoiding practicing individual skills only cheats you and your TEAM. Showing up without practicing your back hand slap shot means you are less likely to score with that shot in a real situation. Virtually all pro and college athletes spend an extensive amount of time perfecting skills within that individual sport. Having the endurance, skill, and confidence to know that one can actually make the play on game day will provide a level of confidence in game situations.

Nutrition is a difficult parameter to measure in evaluation of an athlete's performance, Everyone has a different diet individually, variable caloric needs, and food tastes that are not the same. Due to their high level of activity an athlete will have markedly increased caloric needs (up to 200 % of a non-athlete’s diet). Within the diet one must eat what are obviously considered nutritious foods (see below). In a nutshell most athletes constantly snack. The snack should be a very nutritious food, such as nuts, fruit, high fiber (granola) mixed with a nutritious sports or fruit drink. Meals should include all the food groups with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish or chicken as a meat source, with limited beef, fats, simple sugars and dairy products. Common sense nutrition indirectly helps an athlete avoid illness and enhances athletic performance. An athlete shouldn't eat a large meal prior to competition. Give yourself 180 minutes. A nutritious snack one hour prior to game time is highly beneficial. Medical studies have revealed optimal nutrition gives your body better aerobic capacity, less injury, quicker recovery rate, and overall improved athletic performance, thus your TEAM benefits.

Coming off the bench in critical situations demands your skills be the best. Without consistent practice, you will NOT have the confidence you need to make the play. While you may not ultimately make the play, statistically you will be in far better shape if you have practiced your individual skills for the TEAM. If you are not on your own working your individual skills to be the very best you can be, then you shouldn't be on that TEAM. This will be evident. Again, a student athlete performs at the median level of practice performance. One who practices poorly will perform poorly statistically. Team practices revealing you consistently miss easy jumpers means you need to step up and practice even more on your own. Your coaches, teammates, and yourself all want to see you improve. One cannot improve without PRACTICE. It is that simple. One needs to put in the time and it will pay off dividends athletically, in the classroom, and later in life. 10

work and family activity completed. This is a huge TEAM commitment and your sleep schedule must obviously change in season. Young athletes require 9 hours of sleep each day. It doesn't necessarily need to all come in one setting, but that is highly preferable. Naps are essential also. Athletes attending school need down time and proper rest. Having less optimal rest will cause one to under perform on the field and in school. Specifically studies have revealed any disruption in the circadian or biological rhythm of sleep causes less than optimal mood, appetite, learning, and behavior. Athletic reaction time (diving off the block for example), vigilance, adjustments during a competition, alertness, and actual specific athletic skills are all affected negatively with poor sleep. Excessive snoring with large neck and facial growth may lead to OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) resulting in far less optimal sleep and need for medical attention.

Optimal nutrition should carry over into your adult life and senior years. Additionally optimal TEAM nutrition includes not binging on water and sports or fruit drinks. An athlete should be constantly drinking non caffeine liquids, anticipating substantial needs during practice or a real contest. Under hydration of a competitive athlete leads to increased fatigue, less speed, poorer coordination and decreased overall athletic ability. Therefore hydration is a key to your best athletic performance. Sensing that you are extremely thirsty is your body instructing you that you are well behind in hydration. To be sure, one can splurge on junk foods occasionally but we recommend limitations. Close evaluations of high level athletes have revealed that one of their secrets has been common sense optimal athletic nutrition. Training, individual skills, endurance, and overall TEAM outcome is at its peak with the individuals on the TEAM competing with superb nutrition. Healthy Athletic Foods Summary • Complex carbohydrates: grains, cereals, pasta, fruits, low fat milk and cheese, honey, bananas, nuts • Unsaturated fats: olive or peanut oils, nuts, seeds ( flax, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower ) peanut butter, avocados, olives

Sleep provides our body a nutrition of rest. All metabolic and cellular processes are slowed considerably. Humans are programmed to have sleep, and lack of it is highly deleterious in many ways as noted above. Failure to consistently obtain sleep leads to a deprivation of rest and harmful effects occur (many of which are subtle). Illicit drugs such as marijuana or alcohol cause one to have disturbed, ineffective, and wasteful sleep. Though you may have been unconscious for a period, you still were not

• Calcium/minerals: low fat milk and cheese, yogurt • Proteins: fish, poultry, game meat

VII. Sleep Sleep is vital for young and old athletes alike. If you are getting up at 4 a.m. for hockey practice (a not uncommon theme), then you must be in bed by 8:00 p.m. the evening prior with home11

sleeping normally. Your athletic and academic performance will be hampered and you will not achieve your capability in the classroom or on the field. Therefore, acknowledge that sleep is vital to your academic and athletic career and essential to enhance your athletic TEAM.

VIII. Grades Grades are the pulse of the student athlete. There is a high association with better grades if one is involved athletically. Time efficiency is the main factor, however the student athlete's cognitive skills also peak while in active athletics. If one is getting A’s and B’s nothing is said or done. If however, failing or substandard grades appear, then there are consequences of getting booted off the TEAM, not playing or practicing, or worse being asked to leave school. Less than 1% of student athletes make a living playing sports, while many others will go on to make a living in administration, coaching, training, or teaching. Therefore your grades are far more important than the competitive sports you are actively playing. Grades get the student athlete much farther than the sport statistically—it's not even close. Ask any professional athlete and they will tell you to get good grades to better manage matters in your life (finances, English skills, computers, etc.) Education is a life long process that essentially never ends. Learning the fundamentals at your school is highly critical to life's success. Being able to maintain college grades and graduate leads to obtaining a decent job, pay bills, be independent and responsible, and be a good citizen. Many of these things may not make sense while you are a student athlete; however, responsible mature teachers, parents, and coaches will drill the importance of grades into your mind. In our society obtaining the very best grades and education within your capability is an essential goal. If that’s a C, then try for a B, but don't leave anything in the classroom. Go for it!

Finally your grades indirectly affect your TEAM. Punishment for not meeting the minimum grade standard will cause your TEAM to be effected by not practicing schemes and playing with the team. This affects morale and TEAM chemistry, wins and losses, the overall fun experience of TEAM play. Bottom line: get good grades and don't let grades be an issue for your TEAM.

IX. Team Rules Team rules happen for very good reasons. Specific coaches have exact rules they want the team to follow. Clothes, nutrition, curfew, grades, avoiding trouble with the police, practice times, and TEAM meetings are all specific to the team, required, and teach discipline. The team statistically will win more, have more fun, be a stronger unit, and enjoy the sport substantially more with team rules which are followed by all. Whenever one deviates from TEAM 12

bench allows you to be at your peak aerobically when others on your team and the opponent are to varying degrees, fatigued. Stay within the game, observe what happens and know what you can do when you get in the game. Cheer when your TEAM performs well, as it will rebound in your favor when you get in the game. You should be studying your opponents schemes, strengths, and weaknesses while on the bench. And if you play well, you may not see the bench again for this game and many more.

rules, the team may implode, suffer losses, lose competitive skills and chemistry, and under perform. Famous coaches have consistently observed that if the team's star is not in conformity with TEAM rules, the team will always under perform. Take that to heart. One only has to watch TV and observe certain individuals (not TEAM players) consistently making statements about themselves and not the team following games, in the media, or through their off the field activity. Most youth teams don't have much media exposure, but the same rules apply. If the TEAM is composed of individuals who play for themselves, gloat with their behavior, and portray that it's all about them rather than the TEAM—it makes for a long season. Many experienced coaches won't allow individuals like this to be on the TEAM. Would the team, school, coaches, parents, and even colleges want a ball player that averages 18 points, 8 boards, 7 assists, and 2 blocks or a a guy that averages 27 points with little else. Most probably the first individual is on a real TEAM that is competitive and winning. By making everyone around you better, you make the TEAM better.

XI. Pearls In summary the following Golden Guidelines to successful TEAM play should be followed by the Student Athlete:

X. Coming Off the Bench Bench warming can become a habit. Not everyone can play at the same time, or start all the time. That is life. Things happen to starters as noted earlier: bad grades, bad play, bad behavior, or bad TEAM skills. No one in athletics is ever guaranteed a starting spot for life. Some great coaches make starter decisions on game day based on the week's practice. If you are a starter go out there and give it your all. Don't leave anything on the field or court. If you are on the bench, warm up as if you are starting. While unlikely, nevertheless the starter in front of you can become ill or sprain an ankle. Your attitude in practice and games will determine whether you play or not if on the bench. Coaches are looking for TEAM guys that can come off the bench and give new life to spark a TEAM. Coming off the

• Prepare in every way for practice or an athletic contest including nutrition, sleep, homework, individual skills peaking, and follow the TEAM rules. • Obey time lines: you are not a TEAM if you are late. • If your attitude and respect for the TEAM isn't top notch, correct it now. • If you are, or have a history of a behavior problem, address it now. • Be positive with controlled emotions, involved, and participate in all TEAM activities. 13

stayed on the team. As a TEAM we overcame many obstacles and were as competitive as any TEAM I've ever experienced. The ultimate joy of playing as an underdog, playing to your God given ability, and seeing all those years of practice coalesce into great competitive TEAM play was exactly what the positive experience of being a student athlete is all about.

• PT or Playing Time, depends on individual skill, attitude, training, and communication. Your actions will let the coaches know you don't like the bench. • Be positive and encouraging towards a TEAM member who is down, playing less than optimal, and needs help. All TEAMS go through down times. • You win or lose as a TEAM. No finger pointing. Forgive a TEAMMATE who makes a mistake. • Be open minded towards TEAM, personnel, or changes coaches complete. They are for meaningful reasons. • Stay focused. You will miss kills, slap shots, putts, serves, corner kicks, grounders, free throws, tackles, pins, and goal stops if you are not focused. •Play other sports if you have the aptitude. Skills of your main sport improve helping TEAM. All pro athletes agree you are young only once. Go for it!

We all have differing standards. The superstar will only accept 300 yards of passing, 30 points, or record breaking kills. But for most student athletes the thrill of contributing one’s individual skills perfected by PRACTICE leads to a sum greater than the individual parts. The synergy of the individual parts makes chemistry and chemistry defines TEAM in all ways. Winning for a student athlete is not about a W - L record. Winning is about being the very best you can be in the classroom, enjoying and learning sports for fun and fitness, and contributing in a positive meaningful way with passion to your TEAM.

• If you are a TEAM leader/Captain, step up and become a role model and use these Pearls effectively. • Instruct your parents to be good sports while attending practices, scrimmages and real games. If they need to "Chill," let them know it!

XII. Conclusions Watching these two starters removed from our basketball team my senior year caused me to really place a proper perspective on sports at a young age. Though I didn't realize my ultimate goal of playing in a packed stadium at the state finals, I accomplished far beyond what I ever could if those two guys

Sportademics.com Staff