As a coach, I have had so many memorable and life-changing experiences, including my association with outstanding young men and young women. I have had many good players in my 34 years at Saratoga Springs High School. The truth is that it wasn’t just about the game. It was the comradery that grew from the daily connection with the student-athletes during my tenure.
As a player I was able to live a dream, a dream that came true through my hard work and determination to overcome obstacles. As an eighth grader I was lucky enough to make the local CYO basketball team (St. Paul’s Royals of Mechanicville). Even though I saw little playing time, the experience lit my fuse for the love of the game. As a part of my evolution as a player, I became a member of the Mechanicville High School freshmen team the following year, when I started getting a little more game experience by playing more often. Understand that I didn’t only spend time playing basketball in the gym, there was constant practice of shooting and working at my game, in my backyard, no matter how cold or hot it was.
As I was beginning to evolve as a basketball player, my dedication for improvement became an obsession of mine. In the summer of my pre-sophomore year of high school, there were days when I would leave my house at 10 a.m. and come home by 5 p.m. Many times it was me and my basketball, and at times the ball was probably my very best friend. We would spend the whole day together playing against fictitious opponents. There were instances when Jerry West and I were in the yard playing one on one, hypothetically speaking of course. All of this had developed from a desire to be the best player I could possibly be, despite the fact that during my evolution to become a bona fide player I had my obstacles and doubters. Why doubters? In the first 20 years of my life I had a speech malfunction from birth, and at 20 my problem was surgically corrected. Some of my peers liked to make fun of me by imitating my speech. Was it hurtful? Of course. But, it gave me the drive to show them what I could do, so therefore, I was focused and determined to succeed. Self-esteem always becomes an issue when having an overtly physical condition because it doesn’t go away. The development of my ability as a basketball player gave me a confidence that I have never experienced before and it turned me around 180 degrees from a shy person to becoming more at ease in talking with others.
I just loved playing the game and my success as a high school player carried over to Adirondack Community College, where I earned an Associate’s Degree. My desire to improve myself as a player carried over to my school work. At the conclusion of my two years at ACC I was offered a full basketball scholarship to New Mexico Highlands University and an opportunity to complete my quest to finish my college education. The game of basketball helped me be on target for the future and with good reason in the pursuit of my college degree.
My pay back to the game has been the opportunity to “pay it forward” by being able to teach young people how to play basketball and how the game can be a mirror of life. If I live to be 100 years old, I still would like to be able to help aspiring basketball players develop their skills. I have learned so much from this game and I want to share what I have learned with players and coaches. Involvement in sports has a way of preparing people for what can occur in life. The game of basketball opened many doors of opportunity for me and it was part of the frame work of who I am today.
