Varsity Basketball Team Life Mentors to Cub Players
With a game the next day against the #1 team in the Prep League (FUMA), one might have thought the boys varsity basketball team had nothing on its mind but preparing for that game. But before practice began, the entire varsity team expressed solidarity to a different mission -- that of helping prepare Collegiate's younger players to make good decisions, on and off the basketball court.
On a day when the upper school campus was abuzz with Mr. Evans's remarks at assembly about the Collegiate campus of the future and a partnership with a school in China (see News on Thursday and Friday for more on this), some students' attentions were more immediately focused on an individual making good choices, and the value in committing to a team.
The members of the varsity basketball team, led by varsity coaches Alex Peavey and Rick Hite, are aware of their role as leaders, mentors and influences upon the rest of the Collegiate basketball program. And to that end, a brief meeting in the Seal Athletic Center before practice began spoke volumes about Collegiate's commitment to its students, and how sports can sometimes be the way to teach life lessons.
As the meeting began, Collegiate's basketball coaches were spread around a large circle of Cub basketball players. The varsity team stood shoulder to shoulder, and varsity coach Rick Hite stood in the center, addressing everyone. The varsity, he said, were there to impress upon the younger players the need to make good decisions -- about practice, about sportsmanship, about committing to the team and putting the team first. He asked the captains to say a few words. Russell Wilson and Cole Hawthorne each spoke -- noting that they liked to have a good time, liked to party, but it was the right type of partying -- law abiding, team respecting , self respecting behavior. They spoke about hard work, commitment. About the results you can achieve when you give it everything you've got. About the results you can achieve when you put the team first.
The captains spoke candidly. They spoke straight, in a manner that expressed they believed in what they were saying. The remarks were brief, but heartfelt. The other message in all this was that the varsity was saying it cares about the welfare of the cub players, and believes in their potential.
For anyone who has watched the Collegiate basketball team this season, it is clear this program is going places. You can see it in the fitness, the tenacious defense, the come from behind victories, the sportsmanship. And one could see it in the Seal Athletic Center this afternoon, when no one but the basketball teams and coaches were watching. It is said that character is doing the right thing when no one is watching. Whether Collegiate beats FUMA Thursday January 18 or not, Collegiate can be proud of the character in this program, top to bottom. And that means a lot more today -- and tomorrow and in the future -- than the outcome of any single game.
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The members of the varsity basketball team, led by varsity coaches Alex Peavey and Rick Hite, are aware of their role as leaders, mentors and influences upon the rest of the Collegiate basketball program. And to that end, a brief meeting in the Seal Athletic Center before practice began spoke volumes about Collegiate's commitment to its students, and how sports can sometimes be the way to teach life lessons.
As the meeting began, Collegiate's basketball coaches were spread around a large circle of Cub basketball players. The varsity team stood shoulder to shoulder, and varsity coach Rick Hite stood in the center, addressing everyone. The varsity, he said, were there to impress upon the younger players the need to make good decisions -- about practice, about sportsmanship, about committing to the team and putting the team first. He asked the captains to say a few words. Russell Wilson and Cole Hawthorne each spoke -- noting that they liked to have a good time, liked to party, but it was the right type of partying -- law abiding, team respecting , self respecting behavior. They spoke about hard work, commitment. About the results you can achieve when you give it everything you've got. About the results you can achieve when you put the team first.
The captains spoke candidly. They spoke straight, in a manner that expressed they believed in what they were saying. The remarks were brief, but heartfelt. The other message in all this was that the varsity was saying it cares about the welfare of the cub players, and believes in their potential.
For anyone who has watched the Collegiate basketball team this season, it is clear this program is going places. You can see it in the fitness, the tenacious defense, the come from behind victories, the sportsmanship. And one could see it in the Seal Athletic Center this afternoon, when no one but the basketball teams and coaches were watching. It is said that character is doing the right thing when no one is watching. Whether Collegiate beats FUMA Thursday January 18 or not, Collegiate can be proud of the character in this program, top to bottom. And that means a lot more today -- and tomorrow and in the future -- than the outcome of any single game.
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