“Conventional wisdom” doesn’t work and it never did. It is always a limitation, prevents creative thinking and is , in general, a formula for mediocrity. In the sports world, the media are the biggest purveyors. It seems safe. So what. Life is inherently risky. No one knows what is going to happen. No risk, no [...]
As I progressed through school “way back in the day,” I remember that my educators and other adults were saying the objective of my education was to be “well-rounded.” I think that I was, and by comparison to my friends, definitely was.My parents provided books at home on different subjects. I played all the sports [...]
A couple of weeks ago the best basketball team I ever coached at the community college level had a reunion in Las Vegas. Even though we were a California team, we felt that Las Vegas would attract the largest number of team members. Also, we had athletes from both coasts on the team. Of course, [...]
In the sports world, spring/early summer there is a lot of hype around the pro sports drafts. Being a high draft choice is money in the pocket. College basketball is especially famous for its “one and done” athletes. The irony of this is that many of these young athletes ARE “done.” If they don’t make [...]
The issue I have with specialization, and have had for years is this: 1. The participant (athlete) is told that if he/she doesn’t specialize they might not be able to compete at the next level. No one knows that. 2. The athlete is being are being told they need to specialize by a selfish parent [...]
The structure of the NCAA and intercollegiate athletics is under fire and rightfully so. How it has evolved has had many lose sight of the value of the experience for the athlete and those who know the athlete. Yesterday morning the University of California, Berkeley was represented in the women’s singles tennis final by a [...]
I have noticed as time goes by very quickly that I have the urge to write about my life and the people in it. These people are those that I have had contact with but also include those that I admired for their talent and/or contribution to my life as well as to society in [...]
The latest statistics say that there are over 40 million kids participating in youth sports every year. And, that’s without mentioning the adults (i.e., parents friends and coaches). For the time being, let’s stick to the kids. The kids are what I would term “unknown athletes.” I propose that is how it should be. Athletics [...]
You and I have heard people say many times, “he or she is a “control freak.” Consider that everyone is putting energy into attempting to control something. The question is “Do we actually control anything?” The closest I see we come to controlling anything is with our own actions. How are you doing with that? [...]
LUNCH WITH KEN VENTURI It was the spring of 1955 and I was stationed in Salzburg, Austria as part of my two-year army career (if two years makes a career). Salzburg was and is a beautiful old city. On this spring day I was going to have the opportunity meet and have lunch with Ken [...]