1st of the school year Open Practice

Open Practice

I want to invite all to come watch our open wrestling practice October 6^th in the field house. It will be homecoming at BVU and we may have a few guests that day putting our guys thru a workout. I will write later on specifics. We are off to an earlier start this season as practice begins Oct 4^th. The NCAA's will be March 7^th and 8^th in Cedar Rapids. This season is longer than in the past. It will be interesting on how teams and individuals make adjustments.

 Cale Sanderson will be doing our Fall Clinic Saturday November 3^rd in the field house from 11:00am-1:30. The information is on the BVU athletic website and it’s open to all ages.

 

Sevond Cole rejoins the BVU wrestling staff. Sevond is back in SL and now working full time for BVU. He will act as head asst. and head recruiter for BVU wrestling. Cole was a 2x NCAA All-American, assisted Coach Baxter for several years, and worked with our team for 2 years before moving away last year. Cole brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the entire program. He has hit the ground running this summer with the world trials in Las Vegas in early June, Team Iowa freestyle training camp in Johnston, Jr Nationals in Fargo North Dakota in late July, and NWCA coaches convention mid August in Lake Tahoe. It is hard to beat these hands on experience. The trials reinforce so many things that we work on; mainly basics and sound position is what wins at the highest level. Jr training camp is ideal to get hands on with potential student athletes and begin to build bridges with them. The coach’s convention gets a guy plugged to NCAA rules, the direction of the sport, what we can do to build it. There are also technique sessions that this year included Jim Zalesky, Derek Moore and the slick skills of John Smith. Smith gave up more than he usually does. I have seen him show many times and often will not give up all his thoughts and knowledge.  He kind of holds back, but got rolling in the bottom position and gave many coaches some things to think about. I want to Thank Pat Wilsbacher, who was the head asst. the previous 2 yr’s and is now full time in Admissions at BVU. Pat was responsible for many of the recruits we have gotten the past 2 yrs., and he will still be involved as much as possible with BVU wrestling. I will also write about 4 additional coaches we will have this season in the next blog.

 

Recruits -Here are some facts about college wrestling: I always here people talking about how many institutions offer college wrestling. Here it is at the current moment. The latter are 2007 NCAA Championship results.

D3 has 96 programs, AA’s from 40 different institutions, NCAA champs from 6 institutions.

D2 has 44 programs, AA’s from 24 institutions, Champs from 8.

D1 has 89 programs, AA from 37 institutions, Champs from 10

 

Fact is you can have success and win in any location. Location assures nothing - it’s more of what is the best fit for you, and then what you do when you get there. A good coach cannot wrestle for you and an in-effective coach can only limit you so much. The old sayings: "if there is a STRONG will, there is a way." But let’s not kid ourselves a good coach helps matters greatly. The question is what makes a coach GOOD or EFFECTIVE? You could be an effective coach and hated or an ineffective coach and loved. I will come back to this later. Here are some coaches around the state that I see as effective; it certainly is not limited to these people. But this is who comes to mind at the time. Matt Young at Indianola, Rick Caldwell and Crew at Waverly, Mike Duroe at Cornell, The Wartburg Assts., Keller, Ortner, Mitchell are very good. I think Hinschberger who is now an Asst. at Coe is going to be very good. Coach Frain at Creston has done well; Matt Long plays a big part in that. Logan Magnolia and the Kersten’s, I like what Central Lyons, Rock Rapids has done. Jeff Weatherman at Ballard & Jeff Bradley who has been an Asst. at IC High, Columbus Waterloo, and Gilbertville DB also is very effective.

 

Not enough

Thru the years I have been asked the question numerous times “So what do you do?” I have thought about the answer many times because there are many ways to answer that. But since I am the mailman, and I do deliver, I give them what they want. “I coach”, is almost always followed by “What else”? I guess developing young minds, bodies, attitudes, efforts, expectations, goals, dreams and helping these student athletes - not only face, but give them the tools to deal, overcome and excel in all areas of life- is at first thought not enough. To a degree I think there is a misconception that coaching is one big never ending game in which we hold hands, fall down laughing day after day after day. The kind of laughing where your stomach hurts. Now I am not saying that coaching is not a good situation. Because it is. It is however a challenge, demand, and extremely trying. But filled with satisfaction. And it’s all to feel good for a few moments a year. But those moments are very powerful and keep you striving to feel it again. Anyone who has ever coached at any level in any sport understands how far apart those feelings can be. But how rewarding when it happens. There are few feelings that equal when you help a SA turn the corner. The light comes on, and they have been transformed and will never be the same. There is a great feeling in pushing the SA out of their comfort zone, helping them be what they are capable of. Do you get resistance? Many times yes. But in the heart of hearts the SA knows that although difficult and trying, it is what’s necessary for growth and success. I remember a few specific moments at the U of Minnesota in which if I never have any success again these moments would have been worth it. One was when we were in the National dual finals, the other the NCAA’s in Iowa City in which we won. The common dominator there was how we came together collectively, drew from each other, felt and were unstoppable for a few moments. What a great sport, what depths you draw from regardless of your capacity, athlete, parent, coach, wife. It is something in my opinion few get to feel that deep in anything outside of wrestling / Athletics.

 

Campus Workshop thoughts

 This brings me to the all campus faculty workshop we had a week ago. It may seem to be an odd thing to blog about but not really. As it is and was about the student / student athlete. I would like to comment on several things. I think for along time there has been a division between academics / athletics. This is and has been the case in the 3 D1 institutions and one D3 Institution I have been part of. It surely does not come as a surprise. We talked about many points and concerns. The purpose was to find solutions, continue with what does work, do away with what is not working, and be the best we can in all our fields.

 

Tiny shell

One of the terms we talked about was “self interest” in reference to the student. How about “self interest” that we all have; be it Coach, Administrator, Professor, Faculty, Staff, HUMAN BEING. This is universal and across the board in anything and everything. So we all have are own interests. As humans it’s as common as the nose, ear, mouth, and EGO. And to a degree this is ok, but at what point does it become a liability and impediment?

A Sense of entitlement: I see it all the time recruiting, “I don’t want a bunch of debt after I graduate.” Well go to the Philipines. I think it’s very cheap education there. Check back with me in 10 yrs and give me the status on your debt free life your living. If you want this “full boat” or “half boat” as it was referred to by a few people. You likely need Dustin Schlatter or Brent Metcalf like credentials. Few have it. You want a FREE RIDE? Lol, I laugh because of the misconception who gets these full boats. You may be surprised at what athletic money a SA gets, meaning that many people kind of fudge when talking about their RIDES. It’s a personal decision as to what institution a SA chooses. It is their right, entitlement, and only has to make sense to them. I only suggest that you do your research, take visits, gather information, and not make your decision based solely on money. This is one of the BIG decisions in life you will make and your worth taking all into consideration.

 Voices of BVU, there are many, what is a universal voice? Maybe I CARE

 
Co-curricular activities- time commitments? These, in my opinion, are good options to have. Remember many vary in their commitment level, some go bare minimum other extra mile. So it can be misleading when your penciling in X amount of hours per week for a certain activity. I don’t believe there is too much of a time demand or too many options. It comes down to choices, priorities and decision. This is something students will have to make their entire life - you don’t get to know up front how most decisions will play out. You make the best you can at the time, learn, and live with it. You can make huge mistakes and still prevail; getting knocked down is a necessary part of growth, like a baby learning to walk. They fall down and each time they get back up, they become stronger until they can stand on their own 2 feet. I believe having all these activities available is a good thing, we all want and long to be part of something, who is to say what it is we should be part of. So having options is great necessary freedom.

 
Magic Show

It will be Impossible to get everyone to agree, hell it’s difficult to get 2 people to agree or compromise. Take it a step further and how agonizing it is for a single person to make a decision. We are really screwed up. What we all do, be it athletics / classroom, are important. But arms crossed will not build bridges; it draws lines and creates distance. And when you are dealing with passionate, competitive, intelligent “sometimes too intelligent” people, it becomes difficult for each to see the others point of view. One thinks you need more pepper and the other thinks you need more salt. What is it really supposed to be about?  It is supposed to be about the Student. I think that often gets lost. And I am extremely guilty as well. Every body wants what they want. We're no longer little children playing in the sand box and refusing to share our plastic dump truck with the neighbor kid. But with a little reflection we are often just as pathetic in our stubbornness and selfishness. The coach wants more of this. The faculty wants more of that. Why? Because what each one is doing is of great value and importance. I believe both roles, the Academics and the Athletics are huge players in development and preparation for real life. I will say it again - athletics and academics go hand in hand and are both responsible and crucial to give the SA wings to not only leave the nest but return as well. And please remember what institutional nest that is.

 

I hear the frustration that students are not as motivated academically as they are athletically. I got news for you; often the athlete is not that motivated either. Trust me on that one. So why all the athletics? In my opinion Society is what drives this; athletics is big money - “not my particular sport” -although overall, wrestling is the #4 revenue producer for all NCAA Championships period. Athletics = money in the big picture.

 
Coaches = Solutions

Most coaches are the good guys / gals. I have yet to meet a coach who does not encourage their athlete to go to class and emphasize on an education and degree. Some may dispute this and think we don’t do enough. We all want and encourage class room importance. As coaches we know there is carry over, rarely do you have problems with athletes who take care of their academics. Personally, as a student athlete back in the day, I did not care about school, I only went to college at “UNI” so I could wrestle. School was un-cool, and I resisted it, made it hell on myself and my coaches. I did not see the importance then, like many, but certainly see it now. Many of these student athletes do not see it either. They have no concept of how fast time really goes by. And how poor decisions add up a little at a time to become a monster. But I can say with all assurance I would not have a college degree / masters, if it were not for wrestling. And here I am now having gone full circle trying to help both causes: the student athlete excel both in the class room and on the mat. Jim Miller and Don Briggs stuck with me and hell or high water encouraged me to get a degree and I thank them for it now. I actually think me and Millboy got into several scraps. It always ended in me slapping him down, putting his arm behind his back and making him call himself a puss. Actually far from that Millboy was and always will be one tough guy. But pound for pound the toughest guy I have come across is Jake Volkmann, 3x NCAA AA at the U of Minnesota period.

 

Gifts

These are some qualities and values that I see athletics gives the SA: discipline, leadership-skills, responsibility, a extreme mental and physical challenge, awareness, fitness, strength, sportsmanship, focus accountability learning how to compete, interact with team, team work, cohesiveness, role model, time management, travel, good coaches teach you how to think, challenge erroneous and self defeating thinking, it brings families together, builds friendship and relationships that last a life time, setting goals, learning to deal with disappointment, the value of working for something and being rewarded or not rewarded and than having to adjust. It does what we all long for and that is to become what we are capable. Like a great statue made out of marble, the statue is already there, all the things listed above chips away the excess. I personally would want to hire someone who has been exposed to the above experiences.

 
Workshop continues: Coaches are part of the solution not the problem. Where ever you have people you have problems. Thank god we are not China. The grass may be greener elsewhere in certain areas. But over all you have the same obstacles regardless of location. It is said. “The most beautiful paintings of Rembrandt are mere smudges of dabbed paint when you get close, most people, places, and things are held more beautifully from afar”. So although it may look good from afar, if you want to keep it in royalty status, stay away.

 
Ben Franklin

Athletics is what society pays to see, read, watch, listen to, subscribe, and attend on a daily basis. In other words it’s money. And the reality is most decisions are money based.  But blame is never a solution, it only draws lines in which bridges go un-used, arms are folded, no progress, and no one crosses. Understand the profession were are in and what we face is part of the territory, and the view is often not a mountain with a waterfall. We can’t control others and many of us not even our self. But we all have the secret recipe for everyone else, I doubt it.

 
Confusing

Knowing what to do is often not the problem, doing it is what remains elusive. No one has all the answers and if you think you do and it’s all you’re doing, it will surely be your undoing. We want things to be as important to the students as it is to us, fact is it’s not, it’s frustrating especially when we know it’s is not only beneficial but crucial for success and growth both now and later.

 
Richard Simmons

We are in the business of motivation, Coaches / Professors: there are plenty of poor coaches and poor professors, and I have had horrendous teachers / coaches in my life and have been a pitiful coach my-self on occasion. A question I have is it important for them to know what we think as much as it is for them to know what they themselves think? I would say both.

 

Dirt

People will gravitate toward where they have interest, success, identity, become part of something, athletics and academics servers this for many, they both are necessary ingredients of the winning formula. The real challenge is still, how do we get to them? How do we motivate them, and others times how do we motivate ourselves? To move students I believe you have to have enthusiasm, most great teachers, in any arena, have enthusiasm, good teachers and good coaches most always leaves a favorable impression that does not always means liked. Being liked and being effective and not the same thing.

 

 Madison County

Communication and respect is key, Focus on results / solutions rather than blame “easier said than done” Intelligence assures nothing as a good communicator, in fact many of us are not, we just might think we are.  We do all the talking and little to no listening?  Humans want to be heard, listened to, hell people pay to be heard. But fact is we mostly want to talk, impatiently waiting for the person next to us to hurry and finish so we can deliver the real important stuff.  Ask yourself the hard question, are we good communicators, is what we are trying to get across clearly understood? Or do we just have a chip on our shoulder, demand, intimidate, get things done with fear in which little to nothing is learned or retained. Maybe we should ask current and even more so, former partners from relationships. Let’s see what they have to say. Maybe even ask one that ended bad to get the real truth, ouch! I already know the brutal answer to that question.

 

Nitroglycerin

 As a coach / educator am I approachable? Most of us will tell you what to do, but most will not clearly tell you how to do it. And than not even aid in our own ideas, instruction, demands, and advice. We all have lots of work to do. Good ideas weather are formulated by the clean shaven and a tie or Jimi Hendrix t-shirt, peanut butter on your knuckles and honey mustard on our jeans, it makes no difference. But being intelligent assures none of the above. The fact is there are many aspects that are necessary for the college experience and who one can learn from is infinite.

 
Fact is

None of us set out to fall short; there may be periods where we care or more motivated than others. But few intentionally sabotage the results they are responsible for. We all want to thrive and succeed, be it a quiet success that resonates inside or for the world to hold up in praise, some are more visible than others but all warrant acknowledgments.

 

 ????????????

 The one thing I have found and often agonize over is that most people have ideas. Some of them are great ideas. But the chasm that continues to exist is people actually carrying out these ideas. See if you recognize this phrase “here is what you should do” I don’t think it’s often a matter of having more or new ideas as it is just putting into action what we already know.

 

 
In Closing I thought the workshop to be beneficial, I know the sports that are in season, it is tough to miss practices just like its tough for professors when students miss their class. I enjoyed our group; there was so much insight and intelligence in the room. Tim McDaniel had several great ideas and Bethany Larson to be a very efficient balancer of the group.

 

Mayberry

It would be very nice if we could just wrap it up in a ½ show like Andy Griffith did. I mean Mayberry is a promising location and Andy proved time after time what a cool customer he was without carrying iron. He solved any and every problem in 22 minutes. Sure sometimes Earnest T Bass gave him some grief breaking windows, Barney would undo any and all progress, Jim Lindsey might not pay his$11 hotel bill, until bobby fleet came to town and was tricked into bailing him out, and Helen crump was, well Helen unbelievable immature, kind of a iobcht if the truth be told. But somehow Andy kept it together. He made them all believe they solved the problems themselves; he let them take the credit with out them ever knowing he did. If you really followed Andy you would know in the early years he always taught the lesson and in later years he often learned the lesson.  I think Andy had other things shaking in town, won’t really go into right now but will touch on Mayberry after dark another time. Let me assure you, he was both clever and sly. Why Always the uniform, even reading the paper on the couch, shirt buttoned to the top and tucked in. sure you caught him in his jeans and a flannel shirt if he was at his favorite fishing hole. I never really understood why he stuck with Helen. One time when Barney was trying to find him a wife, he called several single ladies in town, and there were a lot, they showed up at Andy’s expecting to meet Thelma Lou and to discuss a softball team, by the way Thelma Lou was top notch, not nearly as high maintenance as Helen. In the midst of all the ladies who showed up, I saw several that I believe to be better suited for Andy. But there you go that’s a perspective from the outside which has little idea as to what’s really best for Andy and whom he is better suited to court. It only has to make sense to Andy and Helen although it makes no sense to me.

 Snack

How about Scooby doo. I was flicking thru the channels the other day and much to my consternation it was still on. Now I didn’t watch it long but brought back lots of Saturday morning memories. How old were these 4 people. My guess is late 20’s early 30’s always driving in a van, no music, no money, same clothes, never talked about a job, their parents, anything. Just 4 people and a dog driving around. Not even really a clue what part of the country they were from. They gave no personal information about themselves. They kind of gave me the impression that Dahpne and Fred were together but why never any affection? Not even holding hands. Velma was on her own for sure. Shaggy and Scooby had the best relationship in the van. Lot’s of interaction, eye contact, good balance of talking and listening. Scooby was not always so clear when he spoke, but what dog is. I would say he spoke more clearly the many humans I know.

 

World Championships

Anyway I will write more lately when back from the world championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. I and long time friend Brett Sweeney “Osage / BVU Alumni” will be going to watch my brother Doug and Team USA. Side note: We will also be stopping in Israel first to take care of a few things.

 

Also I want to correct that my last blog. Joel Sharratt is the head coach at Air-Force.

 

 

Posted by SchwabM [Wrestling] ( September 06, 2007 04:38 PM ) Permalink | Comments[1]