In a age where even the highest executives, politicians, and Hollywood stars "pass-the-buck" and make excuses when things go wrong but hoard the credit when things go right, one doesn't have to look far to find a young person sharing the glory.
Javon Ringer, the Michigan State tailback phenom, is showing the world how to build a team by sharing the glory, and giving credit to others. In the recent press conference following the Notre Dame game, Ringer took his linemen with him to the microphone to praise them amidst the lights, cameras and the entire sports world. Why?
Javon Ringer knows it is about the team not him. He knows how to empower and inspire his teammates into being better players. Javon Ringer knows that he wouldn't accomplish anything by himself. Yes, this young person realizes that for every yard he gains for Michigan State on the field, many have sacrificed. And when given the opportunity to bask in the spotlight, he reflects it to the other members of his team. What a great teammate!
You watch, the Spartans will end the season as a great team because of Javon Ringer "the great teammate." We could all learn from this, me included. Visit the link & scroll down. Fast-forward the video to 1:30. http://www.spartantailgate.com/
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Thank You!
Basketball is here! The 2008-2009 Brownsburg Hoops basketball try-outs have taken place, and thanks to Coach Baylor and the Brownsburg Hoops staff, it went well again. We had over 100 participants attended the event and look forward to another year on the hardwood thanks to some terrific volunteers.
So many times when newspaper reporters or fans congratulate you after a win their comments only pertain to the last 32 minutes of basketball. What they don’t understand is that success in any program begins with fathers and coaches like we have in our Brownsburg Hoops program and BJBL. I am so thankful that our feeder system directors, co
aches, and their families are willing to sacrifice time, effort, energy, and money to improve our program and invest in young players’ lives.It is true. You do ask busy people to get a task done. This is the same with these quality men on our basketball staff. They coach in the junior football league; they coach in the local little league; they do it all, plus they are successful professionals in their chosen careers. (I guess I’m not the only husband and father that coaches year round.)
Most importantly, behind every great man is an even better woman! Thank you wives for allowing your husbands to stay involved in a game. Thank you ladies for taking care of your other children while your husbands and sons run off to put a ball through a metal rim. Thank you wives for running the day-to-day operations as your man allows his competitive juices to distract him from your ‘honey-do’ list. I know there is much time involved, but you are helping your husband make some great memories for young basketball players that will last forever. The youth of today need his guidance and teachings for tomorrow. Thank you ladies!
Yes basketball is in the air again as it was last March when our program was propelled to the greatest height Indiana Basketball knows. A terrific team, a wonderful coaching staff, and a supportive administration propelled it there. Blessed beyond measure, I didn’t forget even standing at center court at Conseco Fieldhouse that uncompensated feeder system coaches who give freely of their time and energy propelled it there too. Thank you Jerry Hinds. Thank you Mike Western. Thank you Michael Bayler. Thank you Brownsburg Hoops. Thank you BJBL. Thank you wives. Thank you families. Thank you coaches for all that you do for young people!
For those of you that missed the try-outs or are looking for another opportunity to play basketball this winter, contact our Brownsburg Junior Basketball League by clicking the link on this blog!
See you in the gym!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Bulldog Tough
At last year's team camp our coaching staff was trying to decide on what mantra we should adopt for our particular collection of players in 2007-2008. We were conscious about the fact that we had graduated Stephen Bailey who played through terrible back pain (and after surgery when he wasn't allowed to come to school, he still led his teammates into the gym at 6:30 am for free-throws), Michael Stalnaker who was one of our strongest players ever and battled through a broken finger his senior year, Grant Goedde who was our strongest and physically toughest player, and Ben Miller who become so mentally tough that he improved on both sides of the court to the extent that it was hard to take him out of games. These guys had led the campaign of diving on the floor, sweating, bleeding, giving of themselves, and collectively working hard in moments where only pride mattered. So our staff decided on "Bulldog Tough". We wanted to make sure our guys continued to play and be tough. We were obviously anxious about this, for a while.
In a preason contest of wall-sits, Gino Calderon beat everyone with a wall-sit that was just shy of
six minutes. As soon as his challenger crumbled from the wall Calderon flopped down in agony. He had severely pulled his quadriceps in the contest. But he won! He was not going to be denied. I'll never forget the look of excruciating pain on his face as he looked up from the ground, the tears, the look of awe on his teammates' faces, and through all of his gasps and sobs he questioned, "Coach, did I win?" "Yes Gino, you sure did!" "How long was the wall sit?" "5 minutes 47 seconds!" In the midst of pain, Gino's mind was still concerned about the task at hand. He set the tone - Pain is temorary - Pride is forever.
Our season began and continued with the same focus and toughness as recorded above both mentally and physically. Guys pushed themselves daily. Players became injured, worked with our trainer Dave Jessup, and played through it. No complaints. No whining. Guys became sick. Went to school sick. Practiced sick. Played sick. They only stayed home after calling the coaching staff and making sure their absence wouldn't hurt the team. Julian Mavunga is a perfect example. Julian had a 101 degree fever, congestion, and a sore throat at school and in our game against Bloomington South. What did he do? He did what he did the entire year. Dominated. Why? Because he had already practiced when he had felt this way. It was easy for him to play when he felt ill, and because of this, he helped his team give a ranked and unbeaten team their first loss.
The 2007-2008 season ended with the same toughness on July 19th at the World's Largest High School gym in the world. Less than 48 hours before tip-off, Indiana West All-Star Blake Hall had severely sprained, or possibly broken, his ankle.
With the game on Saturday, Blake (left) was fine-tuning his skills at Arbuckle Park late Thursday evening when it happened. In four years of playing for the Bulldogs Blake had only been hurt once. An injury during the Noblesville game had kept him out of 20 minutes this past season. Never had he been hurt before, that I knew of. So obviously, when I saw him on Friday and he couldn't walk, it was clear that this sprain was serious. With crutches, walking boot, and some pain medicine in his duffle bag, this champion made the trek to New Castle with fellow West All-Stars for a fun-filled weekend, not knowing if he would be able to even take the court. That is selflessness.
At one o'clock, an hour before tip off, Blake reclined against a white wall as his body pressed down into the red cushion of the training table. His leg jutted out off the table two feet as the black and blue bruise which surrounded his ankle gave an ominous look to the sterile room. The trainer stood staring, silent, contemplating what she saw. Finally she spoke. "Uh, when did this happen?" "Thursday night," Blake replied. "What did the doctor say?" "I haven't seen the doctor yet." "Well.....O.K....Let me take a look......". The trainer pushed around on the swollen ankle. Blake's jaws clenched as her fingers proded at the torn tissue around his bones. "And you're sure you want to play today?" "Positive." "I'm not a doctor, but I know you have torn tendons in there, and it could possibly be broken. Are you sure?" "Yep." "Well, all right. I'll get some heavier tape and let you play, but you have to promise to go to the doctor." "Sounds good." The trainer left the room; Blake put his head back against the white concrete wall and let out a sigh. He was getting to play one more high school game!
The 4A East/West All-Star Game was awesome because a state champion showed why he was a state champion. Blake Hall's hustle was unparalleled. He grabbed two rebounds and jumped out of bounds to save a deflected ball, landing on his bad ankle, all in the first two minutes. Blake exhibited Bulldog Toughness as he battled an opposing 6'10 player who weighed 70 pounds more than he did. It was truly apparent that Blake Hall was working his tail off through pain, and it wasn't just the bias of his high school coach who was swelling with pride on the sidelines. His West teammates came alive with cheers each time Blake grabbed a board, dove on the floor, tipped a ball to keep it alive, or attempted a charge. It was obvious to my assistant who commented, "He's a mad man. He's all over the place." Yes, he was. This time there wasn't a state championship on the line. 18,000 people weren't cheering. No, this time that wasn't the case. In front of a much smaller group of people one sweltering July afternoon, Blake Hall led all rebounders for the game with eight, dished out two assists, grabbed two steals, put back an offensive rebound, attempted a charge, hustled his tail off, and played the tough defense Brownsburg fans had witnessed all year. Why? Because that was what his team needed. That was the toughness necessary to win. Because Blake Hall is one tough kid!
I chuckle now at my reservations last summer. Blake Hall and the rest of the 2007-2008 team were tough, even when it was just for pride. I look forward to watching this year's team "Hold the Rope".
Good Luck BHS basketball graduates!
We love ya,
Coach Kendrick
In a preason contest of wall-sits, Gino Calderon beat everyone with a wall-sit that was just shy of
six minutes. As soon as his challenger crumbled from the wall Calderon flopped down in agony. He had severely pulled his quadriceps in the contest. But he won! He was not going to be denied. I'll never forget the look of excruciating pain on his face as he looked up from the ground, the tears, the look of awe on his teammates' faces, and through all of his gasps and sobs he questioned, "Coach, did I win?" "Yes Gino, you sure did!" "How long was the wall sit?" "5 minutes 47 seconds!" In the midst of pain, Gino's mind was still concerned about the task at hand. He set the tone - Pain is temorary - Pride is forever.Our season began and continued with the same focus and toughness as recorded above both mentally and physically. Guys pushed themselves daily. Players became injured, worked with our trainer Dave Jessup, and played through it. No complaints. No whining. Guys became sick. Went to school sick. Practiced sick. Played sick. They only stayed home after calling the coaching staff and making sure their absence wouldn't hurt the team. Julian Mavunga is a perfect example. Julian had a 101 degree fever, congestion, and a sore throat at school and in our game against Bloomington South. What did he do? He did what he did the entire year. Dominated. Why? Because he had already practiced when he had felt this way. It was easy for him to play when he felt ill, and because of this, he helped his team give a ranked and unbeaten team their first loss.
The 2007-2008 season ended with the same toughness on July 19th at the World's Largest High School gym in the world. Less than 48 hours before tip-off, Indiana West All-Star Blake Hall had severely sprained, or possibly broken, his ankle.
With the game on Saturday, Blake (left) was fine-tuning his skills at Arbuckle Park late Thursday evening when it happened. In four years of playing for the Bulldogs Blake had only been hurt once. An injury during the Noblesville game had kept him out of 20 minutes this past season. Never had he been hurt before, that I knew of. So obviously, when I saw him on Friday and he couldn't walk, it was clear that this sprain was serious. With crutches, walking boot, and some pain medicine in his duffle bag, this champion made the trek to New Castle with fellow West All-Stars for a fun-filled weekend, not knowing if he would be able to even take the court. That is selflessness.At one o'clock, an hour before tip off, Blake reclined against a white wall as his body pressed down into the red cushion of the training table. His leg jutted out off the table two feet as the black and blue bruise which surrounded his ankle gave an ominous look to the sterile room. The trainer stood staring, silent, contemplating what she saw. Finally she spoke. "Uh, when did this happen?" "Thursday night," Blake replied. "What did the doctor say?" "I haven't seen the doctor yet." "Well.....O.K....Let me take a look......". The trainer pushed around on the swollen ankle. Blake's jaws clenched as her fingers proded at the torn tissue around his bones. "And you're sure you want to play today?" "Positive." "I'm not a doctor, but I know you have torn tendons in there, and it could possibly be broken. Are you sure?" "Yep." "Well, all right. I'll get some heavier tape and let you play, but you have to promise to go to the doctor." "Sounds good." The trainer left the room; Blake put his head back against the white concrete wall and let out a sigh. He was getting to play one more high school game!
The 4A East/West All-Star Game was awesome because a state champion showed why he was a state champion. Blake Hall's hustle was unparalleled. He grabbed two rebounds and jumped out of bounds to save a deflected ball, landing on his bad ankle, all in the first two minutes. Blake exhibited Bulldog Toughness as he battled an opposing 6'10 player who weighed 70 pounds more than he did. It was truly apparent that Blake Hall was working his tail off through pain, and it wasn't just the bias of his high school coach who was swelling with pride on the sidelines. His West teammates came alive with cheers each time Blake grabbed a board, dove on the floor, tipped a ball to keep it alive, or attempted a charge. It was obvious to my assistant who commented, "He's a mad man. He's all over the place." Yes, he was. This time there wasn't a state championship on the line. 18,000 people weren't cheering. No, this time that wasn't the case. In front of a much smaller group of people one sweltering July afternoon, Blake Hall led all rebounders for the game with eight, dished out two assists, grabbed two steals, put back an offensive rebound, attempted a charge, hustled his tail off, and played the tough defense Brownsburg fans had witnessed all year. Why? Because that was what his team needed. That was the toughness necessary to win. Because Blake Hall is one tough kid!
I chuckle now at my reservations last summer. Blake Hall and the rest of the 2007-2008 team were tough, even when it was just for pride. I look forward to watching this year's team "Hold the Rope".
Good Luck BHS basketball graduates!
We love ya,
Coach Kendrick
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