I grew up in the greatest neighborhood any child could ask for. One block from my high school, and two blocks from my middle school; it meant gyms, baseball fields, and football fields, but generally we just played in Balks lot or in each other’s yard. My neighborhood was filled with large Catholic families. This was great for an only child, because I could go in any direction and get a brother or sister of my choice in two minutes or less. The 1960-70’s were wonderful in a large Catholic town because you had endless groups of playmates and we did play, this was long before the PC, cable TV or cell phones.
We had the McCarville’s with seven kids, the Sill’s with eight kids, one Murray family with four kids, another Murray family with two kids, the Sirs with seven, the Bruns with four, the Buntrock’s with four, the Larson’s with four, the Skoda’s with three, the Bouska’s with two, the Endicott’s with three, the Hall’s with three, the Galvin’s with three, and the Houdek’s with two. I know am leaving people out but this was my sanctuary. I learned about girls’ here when I would watch an older sister beat up a younger brother it scared me. One day I watched as an older brother put his younger brothers in the streets on their tricycles and run in and tell his mom that they were out in the street and they were spanked. I can still see the grin on the older brother’s face. There were so many times I wished I had a younger brother or sister to blame things on.
My neighborhood had Cheaty Hall she was so cool. I hung around her brother Troy. I was just another annoying little kid like her brother. There was Barb Sill I had such a crush on her. Like Cheaty; she had long strait hair that was in fashion during the time. We had Tracy Hall he always drove cool cars. He drove a jeep into our yard one day and my mom almost killed him. We had Connor Galvin, he drove race cars. We had the intellect Danny Larson who became a lawyer and also climbed Everest.
It seemed as though,I always ended up with the McCarvilles. I was just another mouth to feed when I walked in the door, but their mother Carol always fed this growing sparrow. Their dad Bud gave me my first job, working for his auction company. Their oldest boy Steve allowed me and his younger brothers to milk cows with him when he did chores for a farmer. I doubt if I could have been around better people in my youth then the McCarvilles and the other families in my neighborhood.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Colonel's Wife
In August of 2005 I took a high school basketball team to play in a tournament in Ireland. While I was there my mother had a stroke. When I was in a layover in Boston on my flight home my mom passed away. I wrote this eulogy for her when I returned.
Eulogy For Berniece Gillespie
By Jim Gillespie
August 18, 2005
Mom, it is almost impossible to speak of you in past tense. I cannot accept that all of us are standing here beside your casket. I cannot accept that the terrible disease of diabetes put an end to your life’s work, and cut short your energy and strength. You were an exemplary role model for how people should handle adversity in their life, through courage, determination, and competitive spirit.
Your competitive drive came out as you would join your brothers and sister in games of cards such as yukor, five hundred, and pepper. Your drive to be successful would break out in small arguments with them, but your true love for them would come out as you and they would break down in tears as you and they would say farewell for a short time or for years. Few people knew of your love to dance and go to dances. Be it to a local place to hear a polka band or when you were young and you went to Davis Corners to dance to Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra.
As my mother you taught me how to face adversity with a strength and determination matched by few. As bad health started affecting you, the ways you found to battle continued to amaze me. One way was your love to work outside in the yard. As you got older and faced your first stroke you had me purchase a riding lawn mower so you could continue to care for the yard. Although several people would beg to differ, you always said you had the best looking lawn in Jesup.
It is difficult to put my feelings into words, but I will try to tell you what mom meant to me. She was a loving mother who showed unconditional love. She was a loving wife who ran a household while dad was gone one night or one weak while he was driving truck. I will always remember her grace during adversity, her elegance, her generosity, her sky blue eyes, and as a woman that displayed true sincerity. She was always honest and down to earth with all that she met.
I know mom would want me to tell you how she loved you dearly. She relished her role as aunt, and as all of her brothers and her sister passed away she understood and fulfilled her role as matriarch of the Benson family. Although she was unable to always come and see you she loved when many of her nieces and nephews would come and see her.
She was not limited to blood family either, as every Wednesday and every Sunday she would scour the Waterloo box scores to see how her ‘boy’s’ teams were doing. She always were looking for Rogers score at Ed-Co, Virgil’s score at Dunkerton, Tim’s score at Jesup, or Steve’s score at Fredericksburg. If any of them would call, Mom would always ask me how they thought things were going for them, and if any of them took things to seriously she would always remind me that we would all face tougher challenges in their life then a loss in a basketball game.
If it were not for mom I would not have achieved what I have in this life. She pushed me to go farther in education and she seen that I not only graduated from high school but college as well, denying her-self things so I could get that degree. I can thank mom for my strong passion to succeed and to see that others around me succeed as well.
We have lost a very dear woman. At this moment, the only thing that is left to us is to remember the nice moments in your life. You are no longer, but your spirit, your faith, your devotion, the devotion to the path, remain with us. Mom, I leave you with a tear and a hug. I loved you so very much, a woman, a great mother, a friend and a teacher like you--- I will no longer have.
In the words of Bach; "Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are family and friends."
Eulogy For Berniece Gillespie
By Jim Gillespie
August 18, 2005
Mom, it is almost impossible to speak of you in past tense. I cannot accept that all of us are standing here beside your casket. I cannot accept that the terrible disease of diabetes put an end to your life’s work, and cut short your energy and strength. You were an exemplary role model for how people should handle adversity in their life, through courage, determination, and competitive spirit.
Your competitive drive came out as you would join your brothers and sister in games of cards such as yukor, five hundred, and pepper. Your drive to be successful would break out in small arguments with them, but your true love for them would come out as you and they would break down in tears as you and they would say farewell for a short time or for years. Few people knew of your love to dance and go to dances. Be it to a local place to hear a polka band or when you were young and you went to Davis Corners to dance to Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra.
As my mother you taught me how to face adversity with a strength and determination matched by few. As bad health started affecting you, the ways you found to battle continued to amaze me. One way was your love to work outside in the yard. As you got older and faced your first stroke you had me purchase a riding lawn mower so you could continue to care for the yard. Although several people would beg to differ, you always said you had the best looking lawn in Jesup.
It is difficult to put my feelings into words, but I will try to tell you what mom meant to me. She was a loving mother who showed unconditional love. She was a loving wife who ran a household while dad was gone one night or one weak while he was driving truck. I will always remember her grace during adversity, her elegance, her generosity, her sky blue eyes, and as a woman that displayed true sincerity. She was always honest and down to earth with all that she met.
I know mom would want me to tell you how she loved you dearly. She relished her role as aunt, and as all of her brothers and her sister passed away she understood and fulfilled her role as matriarch of the Benson family. Although she was unable to always come and see you she loved when many of her nieces and nephews would come and see her.
She was not limited to blood family either, as every Wednesday and every Sunday she would scour the Waterloo box scores to see how her ‘boy’s’ teams were doing. She always were looking for Rogers score at Ed-Co, Virgil’s score at Dunkerton, Tim’s score at Jesup, or Steve’s score at Fredericksburg. If any of them would call, Mom would always ask me how they thought things were going for them, and if any of them took things to seriously she would always remind me that we would all face tougher challenges in their life then a loss in a basketball game.
If it were not for mom I would not have achieved what I have in this life. She pushed me to go farther in education and she seen that I not only graduated from high school but college as well, denying her-self things so I could get that degree. I can thank mom for my strong passion to succeed and to see that others around me succeed as well.
We have lost a very dear woman. At this moment, the only thing that is left to us is to remember the nice moments in your life. You are no longer, but your spirit, your faith, your devotion, the devotion to the path, remain with us. Mom, I leave you with a tear and a hug. I loved you so very much, a woman, a great mother, a friend and a teacher like you--- I will no longer have.
In the words of Bach; "Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are family and friends."
Sarg......
I gave this eulogy at a memorial for long time Jesup business teacher Pat Roths in April 2008. Cancer stold a wonderful woman.
I can hear Ms. Roths now;
“Standup straight Gillespie”
“Awe Gillespie don’t be a weenie and stop fidgeting”
“Get rid of your gum.”
“Make eye contact with your audience.”
“Speak slowly and annunciate so people can understand you.”
Well my dear friend Roths, do not worry, I will sing your praises.
Mr. Chamberlin and I talked to Ms. Roths shortly after she came back to New Hampton from Rochester and she told us she wanted to come back to Jesup one more time. Welcome home Pat.
Eulogy For Pat Roths
By Jim Gillespie
April 17, 2008
Our Dear Pat, It is almost impossible to speak of you in the past tense. I cannot accept that all of us – Family, friends, students, and faculty are standing here mourning you. I cannot accept the fact that an abominable plague called cancer put an end to your life’s work, and cut short your energy and your strength. You were a woman in whom the vision and values of education radiated from. I have known Pat for twenty-four years, in those years I have come to know her kindness and compassion. As I have been checking the caring bridge that was set up by her niece often the last few weeks, I have come to realize the tremendous impact Pat has had on 1000’s of peoples life’s as an educator and I know she would take great pride in knowing that.
One of Pat’s strengths and loves was the organization of school events and having a hand to help organize Prom or homecoming, making sure that all details were covered by her students. She did not want one thing to go unnoticed or unrecognized making sure that all in attendance were happy and taken care of equally. It is Ironic that Prom is this Saturday night. When a faculty member would retire or go to the hospital Pat would always organize a gift or flowers to see that all were remembered and good thoughts were conveyed to them. Most all of us on the faculty and in the student body were in someway touched by Pats thoughtfulness and love.
I spoke to many students Miss Roths had in class, and asked them about their thoughts about Ms. Roths; Erica Kite said “I will not forget Ms. Roths advice to enjoy every moment you have.” “Nick Kite said Ms. Roths found the good in the things that were bad,” Dontae Taylor said “Ms. Roths was always willing to give a helping hand.” Kelli Oliver said “Ms. Roths put the lives of others before her own.” Veronica Reece lamented “the upper hallway of the high school will never be the same.” Taylor Kraii wrote “today we celebrate your life, not saying goodbye, for we all know we will see you again.” Perhaps student Amber Haack said it best on the Caring Bridge. “Miss Roths was truly a blessing to the students of Jesup High School.” To continue quoting Amber she said “I can honestly say Miss Roths was one of my favorite teachers. She always had a smile on her face and loved to tease each and every one of her students. No matter how bad of a day I was having, Miss Roths could always help me see the bright side of everything. She cared for all her students and was always there when they needed her.” Another student, Caitlyn Borwig said “helping students succeed in life was her career and passion.” People those thoughts are hard to top.
Pat believed in the students of Jesup, she believed the majority wanted success and a bright future and she realized as one person she could influence many. The number of past and present students here today is a monument to that belief. I truly believe Pat most of all was proud to be a teacher. She had this apple on her desk for many years as a quiet monument to remind herself that first and foremost she was an educator. Dennis Hart retired teacher and dear friend to Pat called me Saturday and said “Gillespie he took our friend from us.” Dennis, I have had almost a week to think about it, and think perhaps God needs a close friend right now as well. Pat will be missed. Pat was a loving daughter, aunt, and sister. I will always remember her infectious laugh as she would meet students and faculty in the halls with a wit and humor that we all valued and loved. On more then one day she found a minute to needle Dave Steuben about his beloved Cyclones with that big grin on her face.
Pat was always willing to lend a hand, give some advice, listen, help someone in need, go the extra mile, give without expecting something in return, and maybe her most endearing quality was to standup for what she believed was right. She taught me how to understand the meaning of love, friendship, fun, devotion, commitment, success, and generosity. There is pain and sorrow to bear, but, in time, we will be comforted by the warmth of our memories of our dear friend Pat. Pat was a jewel on this earth, now that jewel brightens heaven. I wish the angels peace as Pat brings her great laugh and her great personality to their midst.
I can hear Ms. Roths now;
“Standup straight Gillespie”
“Awe Gillespie don’t be a weenie and stop fidgeting”
“Get rid of your gum.”
“Make eye contact with your audience.”
“Speak slowly and annunciate so people can understand you.”
Well my dear friend Roths, do not worry, I will sing your praises.
Mr. Chamberlin and I talked to Ms. Roths shortly after she came back to New Hampton from Rochester and she told us she wanted to come back to Jesup one more time. Welcome home Pat.
Eulogy For Pat Roths
By Jim Gillespie
April 17, 2008
Our Dear Pat, It is almost impossible to speak of you in the past tense. I cannot accept that all of us – Family, friends, students, and faculty are standing here mourning you. I cannot accept the fact that an abominable plague called cancer put an end to your life’s work, and cut short your energy and your strength. You were a woman in whom the vision and values of education radiated from. I have known Pat for twenty-four years, in those years I have come to know her kindness and compassion. As I have been checking the caring bridge that was set up by her niece often the last few weeks, I have come to realize the tremendous impact Pat has had on 1000’s of peoples life’s as an educator and I know she would take great pride in knowing that.
One of Pat’s strengths and loves was the organization of school events and having a hand to help organize Prom or homecoming, making sure that all details were covered by her students. She did not want one thing to go unnoticed or unrecognized making sure that all in attendance were happy and taken care of equally. It is Ironic that Prom is this Saturday night. When a faculty member would retire or go to the hospital Pat would always organize a gift or flowers to see that all were remembered and good thoughts were conveyed to them. Most all of us on the faculty and in the student body were in someway touched by Pats thoughtfulness and love.
I spoke to many students Miss Roths had in class, and asked them about their thoughts about Ms. Roths; Erica Kite said “I will not forget Ms. Roths advice to enjoy every moment you have.” “Nick Kite said Ms. Roths found the good in the things that were bad,” Dontae Taylor said “Ms. Roths was always willing to give a helping hand.” Kelli Oliver said “Ms. Roths put the lives of others before her own.” Veronica Reece lamented “the upper hallway of the high school will never be the same.” Taylor Kraii wrote “today we celebrate your life, not saying goodbye, for we all know we will see you again.” Perhaps student Amber Haack said it best on the Caring Bridge. “Miss Roths was truly a blessing to the students of Jesup High School.” To continue quoting Amber she said “I can honestly say Miss Roths was one of my favorite teachers. She always had a smile on her face and loved to tease each and every one of her students. No matter how bad of a day I was having, Miss Roths could always help me see the bright side of everything. She cared for all her students and was always there when they needed her.” Another student, Caitlyn Borwig said “helping students succeed in life was her career and passion.” People those thoughts are hard to top.
Pat believed in the students of Jesup, she believed the majority wanted success and a bright future and she realized as one person she could influence many. The number of past and present students here today is a monument to that belief. I truly believe Pat most of all was proud to be a teacher. She had this apple on her desk for many years as a quiet monument to remind herself that first and foremost she was an educator. Dennis Hart retired teacher and dear friend to Pat called me Saturday and said “Gillespie he took our friend from us.” Dennis, I have had almost a week to think about it, and think perhaps God needs a close friend right now as well. Pat will be missed. Pat was a loving daughter, aunt, and sister. I will always remember her infectious laugh as she would meet students and faculty in the halls with a wit and humor that we all valued and loved. On more then one day she found a minute to needle Dave Steuben about his beloved Cyclones with that big grin on her face.
Pat was always willing to lend a hand, give some advice, listen, help someone in need, go the extra mile, give without expecting something in return, and maybe her most endearing quality was to standup for what she believed was right. She taught me how to understand the meaning of love, friendship, fun, devotion, commitment, success, and generosity. There is pain and sorrow to bear, but, in time, we will be comforted by the warmth of our memories of our dear friend Pat. Pat was a jewel on this earth, now that jewel brightens heaven. I wish the angels peace as Pat brings her great laugh and her great personality to their midst.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Colonel
My father was a product of Cottageville, West Virginia. Raised there during the great depression, he was the youngest of four children, two boys and two girls. Dad’s father, Wallace, was a horse trader, his neighbors all raised tobacco. Dad felt all of his life like he had to support the tobacco farmers so he chewed Mail Pouch, smoked El Producto cigars, would role his own cigarettes, smoke a pipe now and again, and even put in a pinch of snuff. Dad’s first job was driving sanitized jars from the creamery to the guys that made their own whiskey in the hills around Cottageville, he called it paradise. I have attached John Prines song "Paradise" with this post. He also swept out the round house in Huntington allowing the tramps to sneak in after everyone left at night for a warm place to sleep, and seeing they were out before anyone arrived in the morning the next day.
My father loved horses and this lead him to a short career in the rodeo. He enjoyed riding the bulls and would have lasted longer had he not been bucked off and broke both of his arms ending that career. He told the story of when he was growing up and a horse bit him in the right bicep. The doctor was nine miles away and the vet was three miles away. The vet gave him twenty-one stitches. He had the scar to prove it.
Dad also drove semi for thirty years going over three million miles and entering 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. I will never forget a trip he had to make for a company he had to work for. A company out of Chicago had bought up a bunch of old, handicapped, and insane horses near Dubuque and dad had to run them into Chicago to the “glue factory”. Even though I was about ten years old I could see the stress on dad’s face as he watched them load the horses to the trailer. Dad knew what was going to happen to these horses and it bothered him. He also realized that these horses were going to rock his truck all the way to Chicago. I saw that stress on his face only about three other times in my life.
Dad never wandered far from his roots, he always wore cowboy boots, loved pork chops and my mom’s biscuits, loved a Sunday afternoon nap when he was home, and loved to tinker with steam engines in the garage. I can still picture him sitting in his recliner with a check full of tobacco watching Sanford and Sons or the Rockford Files on a summer Friday night.
Expensive possessions mean very little to me, so I do not have a lot, what I do have are memories and I have some things that allow me to rekindle them. One possession I have are my dad’s spurs. They hang in my home.
My father loved horses and this lead him to a short career in the rodeo. He enjoyed riding the bulls and would have lasted longer had he not been bucked off and broke both of his arms ending that career. He told the story of when he was growing up and a horse bit him in the right bicep. The doctor was nine miles away and the vet was three miles away. The vet gave him twenty-one stitches. He had the scar to prove it.
Dad also drove semi for thirty years going over three million miles and entering 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. I will never forget a trip he had to make for a company he had to work for. A company out of Chicago had bought up a bunch of old, handicapped, and insane horses near Dubuque and dad had to run them into Chicago to the “glue factory”. Even though I was about ten years old I could see the stress on dad’s face as he watched them load the horses to the trailer. Dad knew what was going to happen to these horses and it bothered him. He also realized that these horses were going to rock his truck all the way to Chicago. I saw that stress on his face only about three other times in my life.
Dad never wandered far from his roots, he always wore cowboy boots, loved pork chops and my mom’s biscuits, loved a Sunday afternoon nap when he was home, and loved to tinker with steam engines in the garage. I can still picture him sitting in his recliner with a check full of tobacco watching Sanford and Sons or the Rockford Files on a summer Friday night.
Expensive possessions mean very little to me, so I do not have a lot, what I do have are memories and I have some things that allow me to rekindle them. One possession I have are my dad’s spurs. They hang in my home.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
War Plans
I know my basketball friends get tired of me yelling the positives of the “system” brand of basketball that places like Grinnell and Olivete Nazerene play, but the “system” has more strengths then weaknesses. They say athletes can’t be recruited. Colleges recruit players, not systems. And trust me when I say that there are plenty of opportunities for HS players to continue their careers at the next level. It may not be on a full scholarship, but there are opportunities to play.
Checkout number 4,15,26 and 27 on the positives they are good for athletes being recruited.
Checkout five on the negative. College recruiters question sometimes how hard an athlete plays, there is no questioning how hard an athlete plays in the system.
Lastly, a couple of years ago here in Iowa, a system team had the 1A girls’ player of the year. She started 4 out of every six rotations, meaning four out of every six games. In the state tournament she started one of two games. She knew what the system did for her and her team mates. In the introduction line at the state tournament she was the last girl in the line celebrating as hard for the girls that were “starters” as they were. I have been around few athletes that cared more for her team or her team mates than she did. In that game the girl that didn’t start was in the game 35 seconds in. She had 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. I do not think the system hurt her much. That girl scored 2012 points in her high school career. Here are the good and the bad.
POSITIVE ASPECTS OF "THE SYSTEM"
1. More players get a chance to develop and play. Especially at the
freshmen and junior varsity levels. More kids get to dribble and
shoot the ball than in most other traditional styles of play.
2. The team scores a lot of points so more players can score more
points.
3. The system draws attention to the kids and that helps kids get
recruited.
4. Kids get higher scoring averages and that helps kids get
recruited more.
5. The coaching staff doesn't have to scout much at all because the
opposing team isn't going to run the offensive sets that they
normally run due to the trapping nature of the system's defense.
This reduces travel time and money spent by the coaching staff as
well as time reviewing opposing teams video tapes. * You should be
aware of opposing teams presses.
6. The system doesn't require taller and superior athletes.
7. The officials tend to get tired of calling fouls so the most
aggressive team tends to gain an advantage. Especially when they
use two man crews !
8. Kids tend to shoot with so much confidence because they are not
under pressure from the coach to shoot a "good shot" only. They all
have the "green light" to shoot after 12 seconds when we have ran a
play for our primary and secondary shooters. Also, everyone has
the "green light" when an offensive rebound occurs. We are trying
to get fast break lay-ups and three point shots predominately.
9. Kids tend to play with so much confidence because they are not
under pressure from the coach that they may be pulled from the game
because of some mistake they made. The substitutions are pre-
scripted until the later stages of the game.
10. Time needed to spend in practice is greatly diminished.
11. Most kids love it because it's fun !
12. You can play players that normally wouldn't get a chance to play
and they still may contribute.
13. It creates more of a stress free environment for the coaches and
the players.
14. The fans like a high scoring, fast paced and hustling defensive
style of play. This style tends to draw big crowds and media
attention.
15. A coach can get the younger players in his program involved
earlier than in traditional systems. This is attributed to the fact
that effort and enthusiasm are often more important than physical
maturity.
16. Taller players get a chance to dribble the ball up the floor to
an extent. This is attributed to the fact that it's very important
to push the ball up the floor quickly.
17. Coaches can be more positive and not have to focus so much on
the mistakes that kids make while playing "traditional basketball".
18. The system tends to wear the opposing team down because the
players playing the system are going 100 miles per hour all the time
they are on the floor. While the systemic players play and rest the
opposing players usually continue to play at this unusual and
uncomfortable pace.
19. Foul trouble is rarely a problem because the playing time is
being spread out so widely amongst the players playing the system.
20. This system tends to create a team that is "more together"
because of the fact that everyone participates and has a chance to
affect change in the games.
21. It's a well thought out as well as a well-tested system that has
one championships and turned many programs around.
22. The system tends to force a lot of turnovers because of the
aggressive trapping all over the court defensively.
23. While playing the system you tend to produce less turnovers
yourself because we are shooting the ball before we can make ball
handling mistakes resulting in turnovers.
24. Creates a much more positive atmosphere in practice.
25. Sometimes average shooters become great shooters because of the
great number of opportunities without the pressure of missing the
shot.
26. Just about everyone involved racks up more stats than they do
during traditional styled basketball.
27. We can concentrate on developing shooting, passing and dribbling
fundamentals rather than mastering a lot of plays etc.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE SYSTEM
1. Bigger and slower kids tend to not be as effective in this system.
2. Some parents will not want their kids being taken out of the game
so often. They may cry that their child "can't get in the flow of
the game".
3. People haven't seen it and don't understand the system so they
may tend to be very critical of it. Citing things like giving up
too many lay-ups and too many threes etc.
4. The coach is subbing too quickly and the kids don't have a chance
to get in a rhythm.
5. An unknowing observer may declare that there is not a disciplined
way to play. To the contrary, this is a very disciplined style of
play. It's just played at 100 miles an hour !
6. If you have a "star type" of player or a player who thinks they
should be a "star" then they may have a tendency to not embrace this
system.
7. If things are not going well for you against a particular
opponent then you may potentially get beat bad.
Checkout number 4,15,26 and 27 on the positives they are good for athletes being recruited.
Checkout five on the negative. College recruiters question sometimes how hard an athlete plays, there is no questioning how hard an athlete plays in the system.
Lastly, a couple of years ago here in Iowa, a system team had the 1A girls’ player of the year. She started 4 out of every six rotations, meaning four out of every six games. In the state tournament she started one of two games. She knew what the system did for her and her team mates. In the introduction line at the state tournament she was the last girl in the line celebrating as hard for the girls that were “starters” as they were. I have been around few athletes that cared more for her team or her team mates than she did. In that game the girl that didn’t start was in the game 35 seconds in. She had 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. I do not think the system hurt her much. That girl scored 2012 points in her high school career. Here are the good and the bad.
POSITIVE ASPECTS OF "THE SYSTEM"
1. More players get a chance to develop and play. Especially at the
freshmen and junior varsity levels. More kids get to dribble and
shoot the ball than in most other traditional styles of play.
2. The team scores a lot of points so more players can score more
points.
3. The system draws attention to the kids and that helps kids get
recruited.
4. Kids get higher scoring averages and that helps kids get
recruited more.
5. The coaching staff doesn't have to scout much at all because the
opposing team isn't going to run the offensive sets that they
normally run due to the trapping nature of the system's defense.
This reduces travel time and money spent by the coaching staff as
well as time reviewing opposing teams video tapes. * You should be
aware of opposing teams presses.
6. The system doesn't require taller and superior athletes.
7. The officials tend to get tired of calling fouls so the most
aggressive team tends to gain an advantage. Especially when they
use two man crews !
8. Kids tend to shoot with so much confidence because they are not
under pressure from the coach to shoot a "good shot" only. They all
have the "green light" to shoot after 12 seconds when we have ran a
play for our primary and secondary shooters. Also, everyone has
the "green light" when an offensive rebound occurs. We are trying
to get fast break lay-ups and three point shots predominately.
9. Kids tend to play with so much confidence because they are not
under pressure from the coach that they may be pulled from the game
because of some mistake they made. The substitutions are pre-
scripted until the later stages of the game.
10. Time needed to spend in practice is greatly diminished.
11. Most kids love it because it's fun !
12. You can play players that normally wouldn't get a chance to play
and they still may contribute.
13. It creates more of a stress free environment for the coaches and
the players.
14. The fans like a high scoring, fast paced and hustling defensive
style of play. This style tends to draw big crowds and media
attention.
15. A coach can get the younger players in his program involved
earlier than in traditional systems. This is attributed to the fact
that effort and enthusiasm are often more important than physical
maturity.
16. Taller players get a chance to dribble the ball up the floor to
an extent. This is attributed to the fact that it's very important
to push the ball up the floor quickly.
17. Coaches can be more positive and not have to focus so much on
the mistakes that kids make while playing "traditional basketball".
18. The system tends to wear the opposing team down because the
players playing the system are going 100 miles per hour all the time
they are on the floor. While the systemic players play and rest the
opposing players usually continue to play at this unusual and
uncomfortable pace.
19. Foul trouble is rarely a problem because the playing time is
being spread out so widely amongst the players playing the system.
20. This system tends to create a team that is "more together"
because of the fact that everyone participates and has a chance to
affect change in the games.
21. It's a well thought out as well as a well-tested system that has
one championships and turned many programs around.
22. The system tends to force a lot of turnovers because of the
aggressive trapping all over the court defensively.
23. While playing the system you tend to produce less turnovers
yourself because we are shooting the ball before we can make ball
handling mistakes resulting in turnovers.
24. Creates a much more positive atmosphere in practice.
25. Sometimes average shooters become great shooters because of the
great number of opportunities without the pressure of missing the
shot.
26. Just about everyone involved racks up more stats than they do
during traditional styled basketball.
27. We can concentrate on developing shooting, passing and dribbling
fundamentals rather than mastering a lot of plays etc.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE SYSTEM
1. Bigger and slower kids tend to not be as effective in this system.
2. Some parents will not want their kids being taken out of the game
so often. They may cry that their child "can't get in the flow of
the game".
3. People haven't seen it and don't understand the system so they
may tend to be very critical of it. Citing things like giving up
too many lay-ups and too many threes etc.
4. The coach is subbing too quickly and the kids don't have a chance
to get in a rhythm.
5. An unknowing observer may declare that there is not a disciplined
way to play. To the contrary, this is a very disciplined style of
play. It's just played at 100 miles an hour !
6. If you have a "star type" of player or a player who thinks they
should be a "star" then they may have a tendency to not embrace this
system.
7. If things are not going well for you against a particular
opponent then you may potentially get beat bad.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
…….. And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Music plays a very important place in my life. The funny thing is I have no musical skills at all. Maybe that is why I love it, because I want what I do not have. I have a harmonica and can struggle through a couple songs. I have a replica of a Civil War bugle and I can make it sound like an elephant, I play the radio with the best of them and lately I have fallen in love with Youtube. Still I have zero musical skills.
Last school year I could not get a student to do a presentation in class, she was scared to get up and be made fun of. I made a deal with her, if she would give the presentation, I would sing at Coffee House. Coffee House is our schools talent show. It is for students but I talked my way in somehow. It would be my first public performance, although I sing in the hall all of the time, the last time I performed in public was my 4th grade Christmas show.
I chose for a song “Some humans Ain’t Human” by John Prine. In my mind John Prine is one of the premier song writers of our time. Another wonderful song that John Prine wrote was “Paradise”, besides Prine himself singing it, artists like Johnny Cash and John Denver have as well. It reminds me of going back to West Virginia with my dad and mom in the summer time.
Anyhow for Coffee House I convinced the vocal teacher Kraig Emick to accompany me. He could make pork chops out of pigs’ feet. I went about 5-10 times early in the morning and Mr. Emick and I practiced. He was very kind and patient with me. Also on my evening walk on the river road I would sing it.
Some other songs and singers out there right now that I really enjoy are “Company of Friends” by Danny Schmidt, and “Crooked Road “by Chris Knight, both poignant and heart clenching.
The title of this post is “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”. It is about a man from Australia that fought the Turks during WWI. He talks about the romance and glory, and then he talks about losing both of his legs.
Before I close let me wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Last school year I could not get a student to do a presentation in class, she was scared to get up and be made fun of. I made a deal with her, if she would give the presentation, I would sing at Coffee House. Coffee House is our schools talent show. It is for students but I talked my way in somehow. It would be my first public performance, although I sing in the hall all of the time, the last time I performed in public was my 4th grade Christmas show.
I chose for a song “Some humans Ain’t Human” by John Prine. In my mind John Prine is one of the premier song writers of our time. Another wonderful song that John Prine wrote was “Paradise”, besides Prine himself singing it, artists like Johnny Cash and John Denver have as well. It reminds me of going back to West Virginia with my dad and mom in the summer time.
Anyhow for Coffee House I convinced the vocal teacher Kraig Emick to accompany me. He could make pork chops out of pigs’ feet. I went about 5-10 times early in the morning and Mr. Emick and I practiced. He was very kind and patient with me. Also on my evening walk on the river road I would sing it.
Some other songs and singers out there right now that I really enjoy are “Company of Friends” by Danny Schmidt, and “Crooked Road “by Chris Knight, both poignant and heart clenching.
The title of this post is “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”. It is about a man from Australia that fought the Turks during WWI. He talks about the romance and glory, and then he talks about losing both of his legs.
Before I close let me wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Taps
The first time I thought about death was in September of my 6th grade year. We were sitting at supper when my dad said to my mom, “I talk to Wayne, he is going to meet us out there at 6:30.”
I asked where, and mom said we were going to meet Wayne out at the cemetery to pick a burial plot. Have you ever seen a 6th grader when he was getting sick? Yet, mom and dad didn’t seem to notice. They started talking about how much plots were and I tried not to listen, but then dad said something about three plots costing $500.00. Three plots? Three plots? THREE PLOTS! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! They were getting me one to. The closest I had been to death was my hamster dying and they were measuring me up for a hole in the ground.
I can remember walking out to the Le Saber my folks owned at the time and driving out to the cemetery with them, those are moments stuck in time. When we got out there, Wayne was waiting for us. Dad, mom and Wayne all spoke of people they knew and then got down to the business of getting us a plot. He dragged us to the back of the cemetery first but mom didn’t like that, it would be too hard for people to find us she claimed. Then he took us to the front by the road. He said people didn’t like it because it was too loud. Dad said that it was alright, he could watch the traffic go by. I thought Wayne was going to wet himself he laughed so hard. I guess there is nothing like grave yard humor.
Well as I said in an earlier post I turn fifty this year and mortality has crossed my mind. I have thought about my burial ground a little and here is what I want done; first burn me, I do not want to be put in a box and placed under ground. I am too much of a wanderer, let my soul remain free.
Second, I have five places I want my ashes spread. I want my old friend Virgil to deliver them to those places and spread them and say a little bit and perhaps raise a glass in respect. He can take his wife and some of my friends if he wants to, or he can go by himself if he wants to but I want Virgil to do it because I know it will be done fitting.
The first place in Virgil’s Odyssey will be the potato patch in Littleton. If my ashes can help grow food for people that need it toss a handful of ash in there.
The second stop is less than a mile from Virgil’s house it is on my beloved ‘River Road’. Less than five minutes’ walk from my house to the east is a creek that runs to the Wapsie. Drop in a fifth of my ashes there. Hopefully they will float to the freedom of the Wapsie. That river has given me many wonderful memories.
Virgil's next place will be on the grounds outside of Vets and Wells Fargo in Des Moines. I have many memories there and it is a place I dream to return to someday.
The fourth place I would like Virgil to take me are the Cliffs of Mohr in the Northwest of Ireland. The beauty and serenity of these cliffs rival any place else in the world, scatter my ashes there and let them blow around with the souls of the warrior poets that fought and won the revolution in 1917.
The last place I would like my ashes spread are on the highway between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro in the Ivory Coast. Few places have I been treated with such reverence and respect as I was there.
There is money in my will for this, so it will cost Virgil nothing.
I asked where, and mom said we were going to meet Wayne out at the cemetery to pick a burial plot. Have you ever seen a 6th grader when he was getting sick? Yet, mom and dad didn’t seem to notice. They started talking about how much plots were and I tried not to listen, but then dad said something about three plots costing $500.00. Three plots? Three plots? THREE PLOTS! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! They were getting me one to. The closest I had been to death was my hamster dying and they were measuring me up for a hole in the ground.
I can remember walking out to the Le Saber my folks owned at the time and driving out to the cemetery with them, those are moments stuck in time. When we got out there, Wayne was waiting for us. Dad, mom and Wayne all spoke of people they knew and then got down to the business of getting us a plot. He dragged us to the back of the cemetery first but mom didn’t like that, it would be too hard for people to find us she claimed. Then he took us to the front by the road. He said people didn’t like it because it was too loud. Dad said that it was alright, he could watch the traffic go by. I thought Wayne was going to wet himself he laughed so hard. I guess there is nothing like grave yard humor.
Well as I said in an earlier post I turn fifty this year and mortality has crossed my mind. I have thought about my burial ground a little and here is what I want done; first burn me, I do not want to be put in a box and placed under ground. I am too much of a wanderer, let my soul remain free.
Second, I have five places I want my ashes spread. I want my old friend Virgil to deliver them to those places and spread them and say a little bit and perhaps raise a glass in respect. He can take his wife and some of my friends if he wants to, or he can go by himself if he wants to but I want Virgil to do it because I know it will be done fitting.
The first place in Virgil’s Odyssey will be the potato patch in Littleton. If my ashes can help grow food for people that need it toss a handful of ash in there.
The second stop is less than a mile from Virgil’s house it is on my beloved ‘River Road’. Less than five minutes’ walk from my house to the east is a creek that runs to the Wapsie. Drop in a fifth of my ashes there. Hopefully they will float to the freedom of the Wapsie. That river has given me many wonderful memories.
Virgil's next place will be on the grounds outside of Vets and Wells Fargo in Des Moines. I have many memories there and it is a place I dream to return to someday.
The fourth place I would like Virgil to take me are the Cliffs of Mohr in the Northwest of Ireland. The beauty and serenity of these cliffs rival any place else in the world, scatter my ashes there and let them blow around with the souls of the warrior poets that fought and won the revolution in 1917.
The last place I would like my ashes spread are on the highway between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro in the Ivory Coast. Few places have I been treated with such reverence and respect as I was there.
There is money in my will for this, so it will cost Virgil nothing.
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