Filing Cabinet

Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day.

Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course?

Each of us has such a bank. It’s name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.

Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to a good purpose.

It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day.

 

If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against “tomorrow.”

You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health,

happiness and success!

The clock is running!! Make the most of today.

To realise the value of ONE YEAR. ask a student who failed a grade.

To realise the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realise the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realise the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realise the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who just missed a train.

To realise the value of ONE SECOND. ask someone who just avoided an accident.

To realise the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal at the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with. And remember time waits for no one.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why its called the present.

From our basketball poems file… We have more basketball poems, prose, basketball quotes, and inspirational articles in our FILING CABINET.

Author Unknown

There are little eyes upon you
And they’re watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly
Take in every word you say;
There are little hands all eager
To do anything you do;
And a little boy who’s dreaming
Of the day he’ll be like you.
You’re the little fellow’s idol,
You’re the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you
No suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devoutly,
Hold all that you say and do;
He will say and do in your way
When he’s a grown-up like you.
There’s a wide-eyed little fellow
Who believes you’re always right
And his ears are always open
And he watches day and night.
You are setting an example
Every day in all you do,
For the little boy who’s waiting
To grow up to be like you.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a sample of a letter that I have e-mailed to all staff members (certified and non certified) once we have made our final cuts. I think it is especially helpful during the first year at a new school, but also found that as the teaching staff changes from year to year, it is good for new staff members to see.

I used the same letter when I started my career as a middle school coach and continued to use it after becoming a head coach.

November 1, 2017

Dear Fellow Staff Member:

We have a great school. Our coaches enjoy working in cooperation with all of staff to educate our boys basketball program members. The team working relationship is important to our coaches. By working together, we can provide better opportunities for each student, while displaying a positive model.

Basketball is important to us and we intend to win. We focus on winning in the true sense of the word. Our program priorities during the season are:

1. Individual Spirituality
2. Family and Health
3. Citizenship
4. Academics
5. Basketball
6. Other interests.

Our coaches teach that the regular school day is a higher priority than basketball. We have high expectations of the participants in all areas.

We are proud of the young people who have chosen to represent our program. We expect good citizenship, a sincere effort academically, and we encourage responsible performance in all activities. If we can provide assistance, to you or to any participant, please e-mail, write, call, or see any of the coaches at your convenience. Our goal is to assist in the development of all areas of their lives. We care about them as people, students, and athletes—in that order.

Please allow me to thank those who have been so helpful to our program in so many ways. We appreciate the care and interest shown.

Attached is a roster of our Varsity, JV, and Freshman teams.

Sincerely,

Brian Williams–Head Basketball Coach
Assistant Basketball Coach
Assistant Basketball Coach
Assistant Basketball Coach
Assistant Basketball Coach
Assistant Basketball Coach

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for Best Actor and Actress.
Name the last decade’s worth of World Series Winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They’re the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Now here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers or coaches who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worth while.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name a half dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? The lesson? The people who make a difference in your life aren’t the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They’re the ones who care.

 

I.  Education – Academics

1. What is the national academic reputation of the school?
2. What is the national reputation of my major at this school?
3. What is the student teacher/ratio in my major?
4. What is the accreditation rating in my major?
5. What is the degree of difficulty of school generally? of your major specifically.
6. Do coaches emphasize academics?
7. What is the graduation rate of scholarship athletes?
8. Is there an academic plan for athletes?
9. Academic Advisor and Academic Counseling
10. Preferred scheduling
11. Tutoring program
12. Study table (ask for an explanation)
13. Library and Study Areas
14. Required class attendance
15. Is summer school education part of the scholarship offer?
16. Is a 5th year available if necessary to complete my degree?

II.  Head Coach –  Assistant Coaches

1. What is the national reputation of the Head Coach?
2. What is the national reputation of the coaching staff?
3. What kind of reputation has the recruiter developed with your Senior High School?
4. Do the coaches treat players as people?
5. Do the coaches treat players as students?
6. What is the philosophy towards handling basketball players?
7. Will the coaching staff help me plan for my future?
8. Job opportunities, including summer work (ask for explanation)
9. Future placement
10. Alumni
11. Type/Character of head coach and position coach

III.  The Athletic Scholarship

1. Will I be offered a scholarship during my visit?
2. What does the scholarship cover?
3. What is it worth in dollars and cents?
4. How much will I have to pay myself?
5. Ask for an explanation of the “National Letter of Intent.”
6. Ask about a conference or league letter of intent.

IV.  The College

1. Where is it located? ( inner city, rural, suburban)
2. What is the distance from home?
3. What are the campus, the dormitories, fraternities/sororities, apartments and facilities like?
4. What are the dining facilities quality/quantity of food, training table?
5. Spiritual, aesthetic, cultural opportunities?
6. Quantity, quality of student body?
7. Attitude faculty, student body, and community towards athletes in general, your sport in particular.
8. What are the students like? What are the other players like? Do they seem to be quality people?
9. Does the school have character and spirit?
10. Consider the social aspect of the school.
11. Will I fit in financially?
12. What is the social climate of the
    school?
13. Can I attend the church of my choice?
14. Private, public, denominational school?
15. Climate—weather conditions
16. Quality of recruiting

V.  Other Things to Consider 

1. What is the athletic tradition of the school?
2. Are they a regular NCAA participant?
3. Are they a
   consistent winner?
4. Are they rebuilding?
5. Is the head coach secure in his/her job? How long does he or she intend to be at this school?
6. How long has
   he or she been there?
7. Where else has he or she coached?
8. Can I play/start as a freshman?
9. At what position am I being recruited?
10. What is the number of returning players, lettermen, or starters at my position?
11. How many players are they recruiting at my position? How many do they want to sign?
12. How many scholarships are they offering this year?
13. What are their offensive and defensive tendencies or philosophies?
14. What are the athletic facilities like? Fieldhouse?  Locker Rooms?  Practice Areas?
15. Strength Program and Weight Room?
16. What is their conference affiliation?
17. What teams do they play?
18. Can this program help me reach my full potential?
19. What is the medical staff comprised of?  What is the quality of prevention and care of injuries?
20. Doctors, trainers, medical facilities?
21. What is the policy toward serious injury and graduation?
22. If I sign early and am injured, do I still have a scholarship?
23. Is there media exposure? (Press, TV, Radio)
24. Has there been honesty and fairness in recruiting?
25. Has there been any history of NCAA probation or
    Investigation?
26. Are there any local kids or other friends going to the school?
27. Alumni—job opportunity summer/after graduation.
28. Recreation facilities—fishing, hunting, skiing, swimming, etc…
29. Quality/type of athletes in general and your sport in particular?
30. Is the system of play compatible to your abilities?
31. What is their redshirt policy?

This interview was recorded and posted at: Ted.com

The topic is his definition of success.

The interview lasts a little over 17 minutes.

You can get a transcript by going to that website.

 

The video may take a minute or so to load

Here is a link to John Wooden’s Desirable Coaching Traits

Coach John Wooden Quotes:

Wooden–a Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and off the Court by John Wooden. Click the book cover to read an excerpt from the book at Amazon.