On Saturday the 23rd, new students were allowed to move into the UC residence halls. It has been our tradition to meet our new student-athletes with a group of returners to assist with their first move away from home. As they arrive, we greet them and grab a load of their furniture, clothes, basketballs, and shoes (oh my goodness--the shoes) to take to their room.
In this way, the freshmen and transfers get an opportunity to meet their teammates and we establish on their first day of being on campus that we are here to help one another. It is so critical that we establish early the feeling of being here for one another. If a team is going to survive, it has to buy into the idea of family.
We want our players to take responsibility for one another. We believe that in order to be the best we can be that we must take care of eachother. We cannot simply come together on the court at game time and expect to play as a unit without understanding the family concept off the court.
We want our players to take responsibility for one another. We believe that in order to be the best we can be that we must take care of eachother. We cannot simply come together on the court at game time and expect to play as a unit without understanding the family concept off the court.
Don't get me wrong, we don't expect each team member to be the best friend of each other member. We do, however, want them to understand who will be by their side in times of joy, heartache, celebration, and sickness. We want them to believe without hesitation that a teammate will be there for them in the best of times and in the worst of times. It is important to feel both on the court and off the court that we are here to share with one another, to help each other through whatever challenges we might face this year. There is no better feeling than to know that you have a support group when you want to share laughter, love, or tears.
This year the newcomers were given opportunities to know their teammates prior to their first day on campus. Our senior class (Kika, Jen, and Jihan) embraced leadership over the summer by encouraging teammates via text messages and phone calls to work on their skills. They also arranged two separate occasions to get together and play some pick-up basketball. When senior members of the team go outside themselves to consider others, it is a great sign for a year of team unity.
I am thrilled with the first weekend of Golden Eagle basketball which showed the promise of leadership and togetherness. Join me later this week as I talk about the first day of conditioning.
This year the newcomers were given opportunities to know their teammates prior to their first day on campus. Our senior class (Kika, Jen, and Jihan) embraced leadership over the summer by encouraging teammates via text messages and phone calls to work on their skills. They also arranged two separate occasions to get together and play some pick-up basketball. When senior members of the team go outside themselves to consider others, it is a great sign for a year of team unity.I am thrilled with the first weekend of Golden Eagle basketball which showed the promise of leadership and togetherness. Join me later this week as I talk about the first day of conditioning.
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