Facilitate This

At first glance, maybe I'm too old school. But that can't be it since I'm only 31. How old school can I possibly be at this age?

I was raised just a few miles north of Detroit in the proud city of Warren. Growing up, basketball was my livelihood. It was so simple back then, grab a ball, find a court, and play until the sun went down. Crap, at times, some of the best ball was being played on courts with no nets or slightly bent hoops. No matter, we played until the day gave way to the night.

In the summer, our hard headed high school basketball coach would take us to the city to play in summer leagues against PSL's schools in an old dingy gym in Hamtramack.

The good old days, when all you needed to play some competitive hoops was a ball, a jersey, and a rim.

Obviously those days are gone as college institutions now need multi million dollar venues in order to produce a good basketball program. After all, good arena lighting and new seats will undoubtedly get recruits to play with some heart and fire. In fact, it may even get a couple of players to dive on the ground for a loose ball. A new practice facility will surely help clear the mind of the head coach so he can install an offense that actually attacks the basket. It should also help with his ability to get off his butt during games and show some fire.

This is the sad state of college athletics. Gone are the days when you used to put on your jersey and play with passion no matter where the hoop stood, inside or out. Now we need shiny floors, bright lights, and state of the art PA systems in order to produce a winning team.

But something tells me deep down I'm misguided by this new train of thought. In my belly I feel the competitive drive and success of a team has little to do with facilities and more to do with the coach and his ability to produce a well prepared team that develops its players. Realistically, most of these kids come from nothing and are just ecstatic to where a college uniform.

At first, it might be difficult to sway in the big guns who opt for high profile schools with fancy, shiny hardwood. However, bringing in a coach who can take mid-level talent and make it gel will slowly get some lookers. Eventually, it is the leader who will turn this thing around. The talent will come because they want to play for this coach, not because the arena is nice looking. They will run through a wall for this leader and its effect will be shown by the play on the court.

In the end, its the General that attracts his men and leads them to victory, not the surrounding battlefield conditions.

We now have the opportunity to find that General and finally get it right, at last.

After all, the place where they play is just window dressing, its what's going on inside that produces success.