The following text is the opening chapter from Chris Meadows’ newly released book “I Am D-1: How to Conquer the World of Travel Basketball.” Years ago, I relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, in the beginning of the summer—high time for basketball. If you have never lived in a basketball hotbed like the Tar Heel state…
“Given all that is taking place in our country, I feel like Lake Charles, Louisiana has been ignored…If people could only see the devastation, they may understand how badly everyone in Lake Charles is hurting and will be hurting for a long time.“
As we all sit at home wondering what’s next, I have a true story to tell about a flight that changed my life. I am Serge Clement, and I am an assistant men’s basketball coach at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. During the summer of 2013, I coached AAU basketball with Sports University. This was…
The single most important word in the English language. “Why” facilitates learning. “Why” gives comfort and clarity that leads to confidence. “Why” is a compass that helps you navigate choppy waters. “Why” is the foundational building block that sustains you on your journey. So, as cliche as the statement, “KNOW YOUR WHY!” is, it’s imperative,…
IDENTIFY YOUR PLAYERS Most first time head coaches are excited and thrilled to take on their new responsibility. My first head coaching positon was at Prairie View A&M University. Like many, I was excited and motivated to be great and prove I was ready for this challenge. Prairie View had a rich women’s basketball tradition, but sometimes…
“Do you love them?” In the wake of the protests across the country over racism, social justice and police brutality, I’ve had two extensive discussions with white colleagues that I have great respect for. They both wanted to have effective dialogue with their team, and their prevailing concern was this: “How can I best and most effectively…
A good teacher can teach students anything. A great teacher helps students discover it within themselves. I think this philosophy exemplifies the definition of a mentor. Throughout my coaching career of 30+ years, I often reflect and take inventory of the people who have served as mentors to me. Each poured into me as a…
I must begin by saying that, without the presence of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my heavenly father, God, this incomplete journey that I’m letting you in on wouldn’t be possible. Summer 2016, late July, I stood at half court watching my Los Angeles Rockfish AAU team (founded and run by longtime AAU…
Everything was going relatively well until we woke up to four voicemails. Our phones had been on silent as we tried to get a few hours of sleep. The messages were all from INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Virginia, with the doctors telling us to get to the hospital as soon as possible – your 5-week-old…
A lot of people ask me, ‘How could you work with your wife?’ But it’s never really been like that for us. Jody and I have coached together for 19 years – the last eight years with her as the head coach of our programs. I am good with playing the support role and being…
