TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET

#112 February 19 2007
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After further review...

"It's a good opportunity for these guys. Some of them have never flown in an airplane in their lives. How many of them will ever get a chance to play in Cameron Indoor Stadium?, " said a high school basketball coach. This Coach scheduled his team to play five games in six days - three at home (league play), one 70 miles away and the other 2500 miles away requiring a "red eye" from coast-to-coast. The players missed two days of classes and some missed final exams.

"The cult of celebrity has now trickled down to kids", he said. Sorry coach, but it won't, if you will help to keep things in perspective. How many of these kids will play basketball at the college D-1 level or in the NBA? My guess is none - maybe one. I'm not trying to discourage a kid's dream; I just want kids to enjoy their high school experience and have something to look forward to once it's over.

Most high school basketball players won't play in Cameron Indoor Stadium (unless they are recruited by Coach K to play at Duke) or play in Madison Square Garden, or the Boston Gardens or any major basketball arena unless - and until - they reach that level. "Until" is the operative word. Let's give school kids a chance to play and learn at their level. This "millennium generation" thinking seems to be creeping into the mindset of some coaches. Unfortunately, local, state and national high school governing bodies cannot rule on individual school's schedules - yet. They will soon, as long as these types of activities not only continue, but escalate. If that does happen, higher authorities will create "rules" to keep these things from occurring. Then an outcry of "censorship", et al, will come. My question is: where was the school principal and board of education during the planning of this schedule?

One of the high school players on that team said, "...traveling, being on a plane felt like a college team or an NBA team". That's my point: too fast - too soon. How 'bout feeling like a great high school team and save that other feeling for when you get to the next level. You can always go forward, but never can recapture, a great - and wonderful - high school experience once it has past.

Will you avoid trying to get to the next level until you've mastered the first one?

Look for my book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success
For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com
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http://tunney-side-of-the-street.blogspot.com

ARTICLE TAGLINE FOR JIM TUNNEY, Ed.D., CSP, CPAE

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