Monthly Recaps
October 2003

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”  - Thomas Jefferson

“The best thing about giving of ourselves is that what we get is always better than what we give.  The reaction is greater than the action”  - Orison Swett Marden

“Faced with a crisis, a man of character falls back on himself.”  - Charles de Gaulle

“One of the illusions of life is that the present hour is not the critical, decisive hour.  Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”   - Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

Congratulations to Member:
Tom Wood - Coach Wood has the Humboldt State University Lumberjacks ranked #1 in several NCAA DII National Pre-season polls.   The Lumberjacks are 68-18 over the past three seasons.

Practice Planning Tip!
From member Chris Croft, the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Martin Methodist College:  Obviously everyone is excited about the start of practice.  It is extremely important to explain terminology and drills clearly.  Do not assume that your players will always know what you mean.  Remember that players come from many different backgrounds as well as coaches.  It is important to keep things extremely simple early and make sure that your players understand what you are saying.  This will begin the foundation to build upon in later practices and upcoming games.

Leadership Tip!
“Leaders do not have to be the greatest visionaries themselves.  The vision may come from anyone.  The leaders do have to state the vision, however.  Leaders also have to keep the vision before the people and remind them of progress that is being made to achieve the vision.”   -Author Ezra Earl Jones

Director’s Note!
Your support for Win the Tip! has been beyond outstanding.  As we continue to grow and reach more coaches I wanted to take a brief moment to remind you that Win the Tip! is about its members and how we are dedicated to helping each other succeed, while helping those we lead to succeed through integrity and character.  You will find members to be knowledgeable, trustworthy and share a strong passion for the game of basketball.  Please don’t hesitate to contact a fellow member.  Just state that you’re a member of Win the Tip!

Video Tip!
Member, Stan Jones, the Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Florida State University, in conjunction with FutureStars has produced a Coaching Youth Basketball Video Series.  The titles include:  Program Development and Practice Planning, Practice Drills, Shooting Mechanics (Shooting to Win!), Building a Winning Team Offense, and Building a Winning Team Defense.  These videos can be purchased at www.champOnline.com

Book Tip!
The Call to Coaching, by member Bruce Brown.  An excellent book for coaches at all levels who believe and desire to have a positive impact on youth and help shape the future of the game.

Member Spotlight- Coach Don Showalter
Win the Tip! is pleased to spotlight Don Showalter, the Head Boy’s Basketball Coach at Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman, IA.  He has accumulated over 400 career wins and been named Iowa Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year four times.  The chair of the USA Basketball Cadet and Youth Committee, Coach Showalter is a member of the 2003 McDonald’s High School All-American Boy’s Selection Committee and was the head coach of the McDonald’s All-American Game in 1999.  Member, Shim Shimizu, who has known Coach Showalter for a number of years, describes Don as a very considerate man, with strong values, and high integrity.  “If I had a son, I would definitely want him to play for Coach Showalter,” stated Shim.  Coach Showalter is also the Director of the Snow Valley Basketball School in Iowa.  Snow Valley Basketball Camps have been recognized in Sports Illustrated as one of the best fundamental development camps in the nation.

Member Spotlight - Coach Dan Van Dyken
Coach Van Dyken is a veteran of the hardwood.  Currently an assistant boy’s basketball coach in Bozeman, MT, Dan worked his way through the junior high, high school, and college ranks.  Players from Coach Van Dyken’s past teams still remember him for his dedication to helping them develop as players and people.  “Dan has developed a superior knowledge of the game through many years of experience.  His loyalty, dedication, and love of the game of basketball separate him from most coaches,” stated Mike Cole, Head Boy’s Basketball Coach at Bozeman High School.  Always willing to share information with other coaches, Dan looks forward to being able to glean more from others as well.  Don’t hesitate to e-mail him.