Basketball and your Future

Basketball’s Contribution
To Your Future

For you boys who have the talent and want to continue basketball on a competitive basis in high school and perhaps college, the following tips may help.

First of all, there are many things which you must learn that you probably do not associate with basketball which will help you be successful. You must have respect for your parents, teachers, and coaches. You must learn to plan your time wisely—that is, your work time, your study time, your practice time, and your social time.

You should always do your best in your school work. We do not mean that every boy has to be an honor student, because some are not able to do “A” work, but we mean that you; should be alert in the class room, participate in class discussions, and complete your assignments when they are due. We find that students who make an honest and sincere effort usually make at least average grades or better.

Many outstanding basketball players are able to obtain some financial help in college; however, before a boy can qualify he must be in the upper half of his graduating class and in some cases even as high as the upper one third of his class before he is eligible to receive a scholarship. It is discouraging to see fine a basketball player, or any student, who is capable of qualifying for a scholarship but who loafs or does not take classroom work seriously and therefore fails to qualify for a scholarship.

You must keep yourself in good physical condition. There are many distractions today which tend to keep young people up late. The late television shows for instance or a ride around town with the fellows. The athlete must realize he needs eight or nine hours regular hours to sleep so that he can be alert in the classroom and alert on the team.

You must be cooperative and not afraid of work. This starts at home with your willingness to do jobs your parents ask you to do. This carries over to the practice floor also.

You must learn to take care of your personal belongings by keeping your room and clothes neat and your athletic equipment in good condition.

You must strive to be a champion athlete and not a cheap athlete. The champion athlete knows what he must do to become the best and he works towards it. He realizes when he goes into a contest that there is going to be a winner and a loser. He exerts every effort both individually and as a team man to win. He respects his opponent as being a human being and an athlete. In victory he is thankful and enjoys the victory. In defeat, he naturally is not as happy because no one likes to lose. However, he knows that his opponent has done the job better and respects him for it. From the victory, he will work hard to taste the victory again and from defeat he will learn to work harder to achieve success the next time.

The champion athlete respects the work of the officials. He realizes the official’s job is a difficult one and that he will occasionally make a mistake. Human error is part of the game.

The cheap athlete is the one who cheats, is usually loud in calling unpleasant remarks to opponents and officials. This fellow will also blame the officials for his loss, and he never faces reality and is always looking for someone or something to blame his defeat on.

Perhaps you have noticed as your read through this that the things we have suggested to make you a better athlete are also things which will help you be a happy, healthy person. Isn’t this worthwhile? After all, you have only one life to live in which to make yourself as successful citizen. You must see that basketball and life in general have a great deal in common.



Indiana Central Basketball Camp
Early 1960’s
From Hall of Famer Leroy “Dee” Compton