Not a awful lot of specific stuff to report, but I didn't want to go too long without posting something. This blogging thing is really all about making it a habit, so the best plan is to write even when there is nothing to write, that way it is more likely that you will write when you DO have something to write. What is on my mind right now is how it seems like late October and early November seem to get by-passed each year. When working in academia August and September are always consumed with the rituals of school year start up. About the time that a groove develops (which is right about now) the topics of discussion shift abruptly from this semester to preparations for the next and before you know it, the main concern becomes January and February. This year is no different and maybe even more so. I have spent the last couple of evenings in meetings and a common theme is that it is possible (maybe probable) that I will be spending parts of 2009 overseas. That possibility makes the planning for other stuff in 2009 even more critical. And with that the calendar jumps ahead leaving my favorite time of the year shrouded (more like fogged in) by the anticipation, both good and bad, of what is to come.
I have been enjoying the exchanges with a particular student I have this term. I can't tell you too much about him due to confidentiality, but he coaches volleyball at a small college and runs a club team. His submissions on the discussion board and the paper assignments have been absolutely spot on. Not just textbook (I say that because, unfortunately I find many of the textbooks lacking), but what textbook should be. I have had somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 students in master degree coaching programs. I have enjoyed working with just about all of them, but there are less than a dozen that I have told, I would have liked my daughters to play for you. He is one of them. It reminds me that the bottom line on this southern adventure is trying to have some influence on the future of coaching in this country. I can't claim any credit for him, except maybe that someone with no "dog in the fight" so to speak, appreciates his philosophy and approach. Maybe if he ever takes enough heat from wayward parents or a knucklehead AD to make him doubt himself, he might think about what his old professor said and keep on doing what he is doing.
Speaking of coaching, I find my name has returned to the slot under Guerin Catholic Swimming. There will likely be a lot to this story for a later time. I think it was my uncle who was the first one I heard say "Coaches...coach." How prophetic that was.
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1 comment:
You are so right about making the blog a habit. I find that it is good to write. It keeps the skills fresh, the mind active, and adds a dimension to each day that makes one more aware of surroundings, happenings, the cadence of life...you know, so you can come up with something, ANYTHING, to blog about! It's a good exercise.
Am hoping this is an announcement about the GCHS Swim Team and your participation as the-coach-to-end-all-coaches...but I am being patient over here, just waiting for confirmation. In the meantime, I have asked people on my blog to pray to St. Roch, both the one in heaven and the one currently located on earth in Alabama...it must be working!
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