Newspapers / Montreat College Student Newspaper / March 21, 1987, edition 1 / Page 2
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NOT YOU, I LL WRITE IT!I LETTERS by Scott Russo After I read "Not Me, You Shoot It," I was very upset that the editor of this paper would permit a staff writer to Indulge In an article that Is just a bunch of sour grapes. Sure this Is Amerlka, (oops), I mean America, so that reporter does Indeed have the right to express his own opinion. Since the reporter In question was allowed to use this medium for his own personal expression It seems only fair that other Individuals would be given a opportunity for rebuttal. Although I am not a son of a c-o-a- c-h, and I can not truly say that I have never lived, dreamt about, drank or ate "roundball," I feel my credentials are adequate for a mature understanding of sports at the collegiate level. In college, the primary objective Is to win. How to win encompasses many different styles of coaching, for example Bobby Knight and Dean Smith are both proven winners yet their coaching styles are much different. Each player must adjust to his coaches style In order to create the chemistry needed to win. (I should point out that a player chooses which school and coach that he wants to play for.) Two of the more Important elements In the chemistry of winning are discipline and character, both on and off the court. Most players fail to see just how closely related these factors are to winning. In spite of the coach's supreme effort. It seems to be an understanding that comes with maturity. While the coach sees the whole picture and how all the pieces fit together, often the player can only see the Individual parts. This Is why It Is vitally Important for the player to listen to his coaches. When a player falls to listen and do those things taught by the coach this will likely prove to be the difference between a player and a spectator. One of the better points made by the reporter Is the fact that “the game has a new meaning today." He Is correct, you do have to pass a character test and also be perfect on the court. That Is one of the great differences between playing the mature college level "hoops" and playing high school basketball. It requires a lot more than just "going out back and practicing day and night all summer, and than going out for the school team," It requires that you become a mature thinking Individual and not just another good player. I think that Chris Washburn Is a fine example of this point, he Is a great player but off the court his character Is self evident. This explains why he Is currently In drug rehabilitation after only six months In the NBA. One of Montreat's current basketball players defends the coach's philosophy In the following statement; He is a man of principle and discipline who simply asks his players to work hard and listen. He has helped me to grow because he stresses ‘good things happen to good people'. There is more to being a basketball player than Just the game, it requires living right and being a whole student- athlete, li seems '.hat this ohllosocny stresses the fact that basketball will someday be nothing more than a memory, but a strong character will always remain a reality. I have come to the conclusion that the majority of coaches respect and appreciate those athletes who walk the “STRAIGHT line" and give 110% all the time. For those players who skip practice to go to the mall, lay in the sun or just can not take the pressure. It Is my opinion that you do not deserve to be associated with a college basketball team. After all, that Is why we have Intramurals, there Is no practice and no pressure. by James Waldroupe This Is a small word of thanks to Dean and Cindy McDowell. Last night, March 17, the RA's and RD's went over to the McDowell's home for dinner and fellowship. The supper, which filled me and I am sure most of the others present, was prepared by Cindy and Tootle Sulllns. This feast was well appreciated. Between the meal and the following message Tim Hill provided some fun and hilarious entertainment on which almost everyone played a part—Mark and Mindy, Lou, Tootle, Cindy and the Dean, Marcia, and of course the numerous RA's. The evening ended with Dean McDowell speaking on the subject of words of encouragement. I was made to think about how just a statement or two can give so much encouragement to someone or brighten up a day of someone^ who Is having a rough time. We as Christians should have this ability and to be able to use It naturally. Again THANK YOU Dean and Cindy McDowell for Inviting us Into your home to have a great meeting. The Greybeard Players goofing off after their perfomance THEN PASS IT TO MEJ anonymously submitted to the Editor College basketball is a wonderful team sport. It not only Includes a team or a coach but also a crowd that supports everything that team and coach does. I as a supportive fan, I feel that the article "Not me, you shoot it" was portrayed In bad Interest. As I read the article I became very angry and felt like It was a complete cut to our basketball team. Montreat-Anderson's mens basket ball team Is composed of all around good guys and Is headed up by a super coach and coaching staff. To knock the pressure handed to the players Is making a certain point, but pressure Is what college Is all about. As I see It the players aren't the only ones who feel pressure, the coach and his staff all feel pressure as well. Dealing with the subbing situation, a team Is not defined as five players playing a whole game and winning or losing. A team Is a group of people who work together for the same goal. M-AC's team goes from the person who scores the most points or has the most rebounds or assists down to the person who may not get as much playing time. You can't expect a coach to never sub. If you make a mistake you have to learn and then cnange it. Just because a coach subs you. It's not like we'll never see that player again - he does get put back In. A coach has to think about why a player made a mistake and then figures, well If I take him out maybe he'll relax, rest up or just think about what he's done wrong. It's not like he hates that player just because he messed up. I would also like to address the last paragraph of Mr. Walker's article; .. ."Whatever happened to the good ole hoops? Where the guys from a school got together, put on a jersey, and played their hearts out." Well competition Is what life Is all about, street-ball Is what... "a bunch of guys getting together. . ." Is all about. If someone likes playing basketball as much as they claim too, then the competition Is what they consider "playing their hearts out." I'm not trying to say that you should only play to win, but If you don't win - you make the school look bad. Our coach wants our guys to enjoy themselves, but If they want to better themselves they have to be disciplined. Every college has pressure and requires discipline of their students and players. Montreat Is not any different. I'm proud to say that I love Montreat and thank this school and It's students and staff members for everything that they've taught me about life. I feel-really bad that the author feels so badly about our basketball team, but I support and feel very good about this school and Its teams.
Montreat College Student Newspaper
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March 21, 1987, edition 1
2
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