In about a month, my club's sand season will be underway. We had 80 athletes last season, and this year we look to have doubled that. I've been lucky enough to increase our staff with some good coaches, and I'm optimistic that we'll have an even better year than we did in 2013.
I believe the level of education the girls get from us is pretty high - Many of our drills have come from Olympians like Stein Metzger, Jeff Nygaard, and Pat Powers. We also take drills from the FIVB which we went over at the USAV clinic held last year. Our coaches do a great job of giving the girls individual attention, and to top it all off, we're able to do it at a fraction of the cost of the indoor season.
I recently was approached by a friend who has gotten connected with people on the West Coast - he told me that he wanted to talk about bringing in some USAV High Performance coaches to work with our kids for a weekend. We are definitely interested in doing something like this, and I spoke with one of the Olympians who had a pretty reasonable price for his weekend. Switch back to this conversation with my friend, and when I asked about cost, his answer was:
"$125.00 per kid at 100-150 kids. And 4 or 5 coaches to help out."
EXCUSE ME?
Let me do the math for you all at home. One weekend, Friday night coaching clinic, one day of coaching, and one day of "like a round robin tournament of some sort where they would go around coaching them through it" (his words, not mine), for roughly $12,000-19,000.
If your name isn't Karch, Misty, or Kerri, those numbers are offensive (and I'd raise an eyebrow at those 3 too after briefly considering it). Let's do some more math here. Let's say I had a staff of 8 coaches, all paid 25/hour to coach ($200/hour). Let's even say it costs us $100/hour for the courts we use. $20 dollars per player for uniforms, and each duo gets 2 tournaments for the summer (about $60/team) With 100 kids, for the same price USAV is charging, I could provide TWENTY-FIVE HOURS of education, two tournaments, and a uniform. You tell me, which one will the kids benefit more from?
The names of the HP coaches mean something to me: I guarantee you 99% of juniors beach players have no idea who those people are. I'm sure they have some great things to teach, but I refuse to believe that any coach will teach more in a day then we could teach in 5 weeks of two 2.5 hour sessions.
This comes a couple weeks after I hear from multiple sources that the AVP has told the top 24 players that they are not allowed to play in non-AVP domestic events - keep in mind, the AVP is only running 7 of their own this season. I realize that they're trying to eliminate the NVL from their competition, but is this really what's best for the players? especially when anyone outside of the top 24 (and some within) are lucky to break even after a season of ball?
And, as usual in my beach rants, WHY AREN'T WE MORE CONCERNED WITH GROWING THE PAID ATTENDANCE AT EVENTS?
I feel like the people that are pulling the strings are like an aged former professional NBA/NFL athlete that can't tighten the reigns and admit that the checks aren't coming in like they did when they were in their prime (AKA the 80's/mid 90's). We want that same glorious lifestyle those players had, even though you look at the spectators during those years compared to the empty bleachers we have now and realize we currently don't have the following to justify that. Yet, all the conversation I hear/read about now is about the same subjects: Tours butting heads wanting the lion's share of the market, and players being restricted on what they can/can't do in the process. Sadly, because players don't have a lot of financial options, so when the people that are cutting them the checks tell them they can't play other events, what choice do they have? I'd be willing to bet if you asked many of them off-the-record if they felt that what's being done is best for the growth of the game, they'd say no.
The tours right now are being GREEDY. We have probably never had such a boom in the juniors beach scene nationwide, and instead of looking at this as a true opportunity to grow the game, get the player visibility increased, and generate interest in this younger group to attend professional events, we have a huge multi-tour game of tug-of-war, with everyone trying to dominate the market for juniors tournaments. I think the people that are up top have the business knowledge to do it the right way: I also think they all have the business knowledge to recognize if they dominate the juniors market for tournaments, where they charge $50-60 per team, compared to what they'd make by charging $5-10 per spectator to watch their professionals, that will line their pockets more - regardless of what that does for the health of our game.
And that's what saddens me about all of this. If the powers that be actually gave a s*** about the sport instead of making money, now is as good of a time as we've EVER had to make this sport relevant again. Webcasting has never been easier. Certain people up top have more financial resources than we've ever had to play with before. Juniors is skyrocketing, and the NCAA adding sand as a sport has only helped that cause. The time is NOW to make a change - to truly GROW THE GAME. I just hope that one day, someone with enough power to make the change sees that too.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Making Illegal Recruiting Services More Transparent Does NOT Improve It - An Open Response to the AVCA Blog.
This morning, I was browsing my Facebook Newsfeed and saw that the AVCA posted a blog by Mitch Kallick, an assistant coach at a Division I institution. You can read it here. I'd like to start by saying I respect Mitch for coming out and saying what a lot of Division I coaches think. I also recognize that these coaches are working for Athletic Departments that rarely give them more than a one-year contract - their ability to provide for themselves and their family depends on them building a successful program, and in order to compete, they need to be in the recruiting game as aggressively as their peers. That being said, I respectfully disagree 100% with his proposal.
Coach Kallick, I have a bit of experience on both ends of this: As a student, I went to a big state school, transferred to a community college, then found the right fit for me at a private institution, where I played Division III volleyball. I've also served as an assistant coach for women's volleyball at the Junior College, Division III, and Division I level. It took me all of one year at Division I to recognize that the culture of the sport was not for me - the very fact that you admit that when it comes to early recruiting, 'When you speak to college coaches regarding it, the response you hear most is, “Not a fan/hate it but we have to."', is an alarming statement. If the majority of coaches don't like it, then why are we not trying to change the system? More importantly, why is the answer to actually make it easier to do?
I now work for a juniors club full-time, and one of my main tasks is to sit with families and educate them on how to avoid my path of letting a college sell to me instead of really thinking about what I wanted from my college experience. I understand why coaches do what they do, but it doesn't change the fact that no one cares more about the athlete's best interests more than the athlete and their family. The thing that saddens me is how I feel as a society we HAVEN'T set up a culture where the athlete has to really think about what they want about their future - in a generation of instant gratification, we basically let schools spoon-feed us information on why their school is where we should go, with no true knowledge about the athlete to know if it's a good fit for them. The reality is, if player A has a specific physical skill-set that you want and will make a dramatic impact on your volleyball program, but wouldn't necessarily be a good fit for the student-life aspect of the school, and player B has the grades/personality that fit the school but does not have the ability you're looking for, you're going to talk to player A, because that's what you "have to do" for your program.
Knowing this, why do we think it's a good idea to let the coaches/programs dictate communication?
Don't get me wrong: This is on the groups at the earlier stages as well. High schools don't do as good of a job as they should in educating kids on how to do the college search (Which is sad, because with the internet, it's NEVER been easier to research/contact schools and gather information). Many clubs and "recruiting services" are more concerned with promoting their kids that make it to Division I schools as a way to lure more kids to their program than they are sitting with ALL families that are interested and teaching them how to research schools, properly introduce themselves to the coach, how to make a good video, etc. - that being case, of course college coaches are going to tell kids all the great things about their school and why they should go there. But let's not pretend that they don't have their own agenda first and foremost.
While I know the numbers may be a little off, you can read in an earlier post that about 1.4% of kids get the full-ride scholarship. We constantly use FEAR as our recruiting tool, telling these kids "you have to look at schools early, otherwise you'll be too late" - and I think that's garbage. I've been involved with college athletes for 10 years now, and have not seen a situation where a Division I caliber girl had to drop down to Division III because she waited too long. Because the reality is, if a player has the ability to improve your program, you'll find a way to include them - I know this first-hand, because I've seen a starting freshman lose her scholarship to a junior college transfer because the coach wanted her and had no other way to get her in. Does this happen always? No, there are plenty of ethical coaches out there. But it doesn't change the fact that the power of renewing scholarships sits with the coaches, NOT the players.
I appreciate the fact that you were willing to put your name out there and admit "this is being done across the board" - but I don't think the answer is "we know it's happening, so let's allow it". My answer is "How can we make it so this isn't as necessary of a process? And that answer is EDUCATING THE PLAYERS/PARENTS. Help them learn how to do the searches. Players can contact you, so why don't we help them in their process so that they know how to do so?
I challenge everyone reading this: DON'T settle for a process that coaches admit they don't like, as well as something that forces CHILDREN to start choosing their colleges before they truly have any idea of what they want, both on and off the court. Coach Kelleck says let's make the process more transparent, I say let's make it more efficient. Recruiting will never go away, but it doesn't mean we can't do a better job of educating players so that they can make their decision with more certainty that they're going somewhere they WANT to go, not somewhere they can go. If a change is to be made, let's start it by taking more responsibility at the high school level of giving our players better guidance at picking their schools - including the 98.6% of kids that won't be scholarship athletes.
Coach Kallick, I have a bit of experience on both ends of this: As a student, I went to a big state school, transferred to a community college, then found the right fit for me at a private institution, where I played Division III volleyball. I've also served as an assistant coach for women's volleyball at the Junior College, Division III, and Division I level. It took me all of one year at Division I to recognize that the culture of the sport was not for me - the very fact that you admit that when it comes to early recruiting, 'When you speak to college coaches regarding it, the response you hear most is, “Not a fan/hate it but we have to."', is an alarming statement. If the majority of coaches don't like it, then why are we not trying to change the system? More importantly, why is the answer to actually make it easier to do?
I now work for a juniors club full-time, and one of my main tasks is to sit with families and educate them on how to avoid my path of letting a college sell to me instead of really thinking about what I wanted from my college experience. I understand why coaches do what they do, but it doesn't change the fact that no one cares more about the athlete's best interests more than the athlete and their family. The thing that saddens me is how I feel as a society we HAVEN'T set up a culture where the athlete has to really think about what they want about their future - in a generation of instant gratification, we basically let schools spoon-feed us information on why their school is where we should go, with no true knowledge about the athlete to know if it's a good fit for them. The reality is, if player A has a specific physical skill-set that you want and will make a dramatic impact on your volleyball program, but wouldn't necessarily be a good fit for the student-life aspect of the school, and player B has the grades/personality that fit the school but does not have the ability you're looking for, you're going to talk to player A, because that's what you "have to do" for your program.
Knowing this, why do we think it's a good idea to let the coaches/programs dictate communication?
Don't get me wrong: This is on the groups at the earlier stages as well. High schools don't do as good of a job as they should in educating kids on how to do the college search (Which is sad, because with the internet, it's NEVER been easier to research/contact schools and gather information). Many clubs and "recruiting services" are more concerned with promoting their kids that make it to Division I schools as a way to lure more kids to their program than they are sitting with ALL families that are interested and teaching them how to research schools, properly introduce themselves to the coach, how to make a good video, etc. - that being case, of course college coaches are going to tell kids all the great things about their school and why they should go there. But let's not pretend that they don't have their own agenda first and foremost.
While I know the numbers may be a little off, you can read in an earlier post that about 1.4% of kids get the full-ride scholarship. We constantly use FEAR as our recruiting tool, telling these kids "you have to look at schools early, otherwise you'll be too late" - and I think that's garbage. I've been involved with college athletes for 10 years now, and have not seen a situation where a Division I caliber girl had to drop down to Division III because she waited too long. Because the reality is, if a player has the ability to improve your program, you'll find a way to include them - I know this first-hand, because I've seen a starting freshman lose her scholarship to a junior college transfer because the coach wanted her and had no other way to get her in. Does this happen always? No, there are plenty of ethical coaches out there. But it doesn't change the fact that the power of renewing scholarships sits with the coaches, NOT the players.
I appreciate the fact that you were willing to put your name out there and admit "this is being done across the board" - but I don't think the answer is "we know it's happening, so let's allow it". My answer is "How can we make it so this isn't as necessary of a process? And that answer is EDUCATING THE PLAYERS/PARENTS. Help them learn how to do the searches. Players can contact you, so why don't we help them in their process so that they know how to do so?
I challenge everyone reading this: DON'T settle for a process that coaches admit they don't like, as well as something that forces CHILDREN to start choosing their colleges before they truly have any idea of what they want, both on and off the court. Coach Kelleck says let's make the process more transparent, I say let's make it more efficient. Recruiting will never go away, but it doesn't mean we can't do a better job of educating players so that they can make their decision with more certainty that they're going somewhere they WANT to go, not somewhere they can go. If a change is to be made, let's start it by taking more responsibility at the high school level of giving our players better guidance at picking their schools - including the 98.6% of kids that won't be scholarship athletes.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
A Valuable Lesson Taught by an 8 Year Old
2 years ago, Michigan State basketball star Adreian Payne was visiting a local hospital and met Lacey Holsworth, a 6-year old battling cancer. While these visits are somewhat common for athletes, the friendship that formed between the two is not. Payne became her role model, essentially adopting her as a little sister and developing a close bond with her. Fast forward 2 years, and their friendship became one of the best feel-good stories of March Madness, with her in attendance for the Michigan State games, even being front row for Payne as he competed in the Collegiate Dunk Contest.
Sadly, Holsworth passed away earlier this morning, and the stories have been spreading like wildfire on the internet. As I read every article I could find on her, I began to reflect on the situation. Before, the news story was all about how a star athlete changed a terminally-ill child's life for the better (and he did - my condolences to Adreian - I hope through the grief he takes comfort in knowing how much of a positive impact he was on her life). However, I think we should realize that the story should also be about what SHE did for Payne, as well as for the rest of us.
We're talking about a child who had a tumor wrapped around her spine, who struggled to walk, who learned that after a brief time of remission that the cancer had returned and her conditions had gotten worse. But looking at dozens of pictures, you will NEVER find one that doesn't involve her smiling, or laughing, or blowing a kiss to the camera. Throughout the entire process, this little girl who had so much outside of her control going against her decided to smile through it all and have fun living life in the process, focusing on what she could control and not letting the grim reality of her situation bring her down.
Lacey isn't an inspiration because she had cancer and found a relationship with an athlete - it was how she handled her cancer and lived her life. Almost every day, I'm in the gym with kids of all levels - from our top 18 year olds to our young kids that are getting their first experience playing volleyball. At every level, I see kids that are more afraid to make a mistake then they are determined to make the play.
As a society, we've glorified the victor, the winners, those that have come up successful at the highest levels of their craft. On the other end, we see writers/sports analysts criticize those that have lost, players that have had a bad game on a big stage, people that in all reality are world-class athletes and have worked just as hard as the winners, but have been on the short end of the fact that when world-class teams/athletes compete, someone is going to lose. The fact that this is what we are judging our pro/collegiate athletes on a 24/7 basis, whether it be on Sportscenter on television or trending on Twitter, has caused a generation of young athletes to be hesitant, to be unsure of their movements, to be uncomfortable; feeling incredible pressure to not be "the loser". They are more afraid to let others down than they are focused to simply do their best - the results make them lose sight of the process.
It is incredibly sad to hear about Lacey no longer being with us - but I hope that her story inspires people, young and old, to live life and GO FOR WHAT THEY WANT, without fear of falling short or losing. Everything they do, I hope they do it without hesitation, without worry about what may go wrong - I hope they do it with passion and excitement about what can go right. Lacey was playing a game where she had such a slim chance to win - but she played hard, had fun in the process, and in the end, touched an unbelievable amount of lives in a positive manner. And that's what makes her story special.
Next time you want to accomplish something and feel the fear of failure, think of Lacey and go for your accomplishment. Next time you're in a situation where on paper things shouldn't go the way you want them to, think of Lacey, and go for it anyways. Next time you see someone that wants something but they are more worried about not succeeding than they are confident that they can do it, think of Lacey, and encourage them to give it everything they have, with no hesitation. Sometimes, we lose sight on how powerful we really can be, but if an 8-year old like Lacey can live they way she did in spite of everything she was going up against, why can't we?
Rest in peace Lacey - you may have only graced the world with your presence for a short time, but the impact you had on the world will be carried on with all those whose lives you touched.
Sadly, Holsworth passed away earlier this morning, and the stories have been spreading like wildfire on the internet. As I read every article I could find on her, I began to reflect on the situation. Before, the news story was all about how a star athlete changed a terminally-ill child's life for the better (and he did - my condolences to Adreian - I hope through the grief he takes comfort in knowing how much of a positive impact he was on her life). However, I think we should realize that the story should also be about what SHE did for Payne, as well as for the rest of us.
We're talking about a child who had a tumor wrapped around her spine, who struggled to walk, who learned that after a brief time of remission that the cancer had returned and her conditions had gotten worse. But looking at dozens of pictures, you will NEVER find one that doesn't involve her smiling, or laughing, or blowing a kiss to the camera. Throughout the entire process, this little girl who had so much outside of her control going against her decided to smile through it all and have fun living life in the process, focusing on what she could control and not letting the grim reality of her situation bring her down.
Lacey isn't an inspiration because she had cancer and found a relationship with an athlete - it was how she handled her cancer and lived her life. Almost every day, I'm in the gym with kids of all levels - from our top 18 year olds to our young kids that are getting their first experience playing volleyball. At every level, I see kids that are more afraid to make a mistake then they are determined to make the play.
As a society, we've glorified the victor, the winners, those that have come up successful at the highest levels of their craft. On the other end, we see writers/sports analysts criticize those that have lost, players that have had a bad game on a big stage, people that in all reality are world-class athletes and have worked just as hard as the winners, but have been on the short end of the fact that when world-class teams/athletes compete, someone is going to lose. The fact that this is what we are judging our pro/collegiate athletes on a 24/7 basis, whether it be on Sportscenter on television or trending on Twitter, has caused a generation of young athletes to be hesitant, to be unsure of their movements, to be uncomfortable; feeling incredible pressure to not be "the loser". They are more afraid to let others down than they are focused to simply do their best - the results make them lose sight of the process.
It is incredibly sad to hear about Lacey no longer being with us - but I hope that her story inspires people, young and old, to live life and GO FOR WHAT THEY WANT, without fear of falling short or losing. Everything they do, I hope they do it without hesitation, without worry about what may go wrong - I hope they do it with passion and excitement about what can go right. Lacey was playing a game where she had such a slim chance to win - but she played hard, had fun in the process, and in the end, touched an unbelievable amount of lives in a positive manner. And that's what makes her story special.
Next time you want to accomplish something and feel the fear of failure, think of Lacey and go for your accomplishment. Next time you're in a situation where on paper things shouldn't go the way you want them to, think of Lacey, and go for it anyways. Next time you see someone that wants something but they are more worried about not succeeding than they are confident that they can do it, think of Lacey, and encourage them to give it everything they have, with no hesitation. Sometimes, we lose sight on how powerful we really can be, but if an 8-year old like Lacey can live they way she did in spite of everything she was going up against, why can't we?
Rest in peace Lacey - you may have only graced the world with your presence for a short time, but the impact you had on the world will be carried on with all those whose lives you touched.
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