Nasty Rumors

Some nasty rumors have been circulating the past few weeks and the only ones that I have been made aware of, of course, relate to the Alaska STARS program. They appear to be centered around some recent player moves that have occurred. I sent out the below message to two of my fellow colleagues - Dennis Stosel of the Panthers and Rick Henderson of the Mountaineers - hoping that we can all, together, have the tools and facts needed to dispel false rumors and communications. In the memo I sent them, I also invited them to share anything they need me to be aware of so that I can support their cause.

I invite anyone else that hears these rumors to read this blog and be armed with facts to help dispel those rumors.

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Date: December 4, 2009

To: Dennis Stosel, Rick Henderson

From: William Lidster

Subject: Addressing Recent Rumors – A Request for Unification

In this very small community rumors get easily generated and spread, sometimes without fact-checking by anyone. Right now, I am hearing through a few indirect sources that there is a growing dissent towards the STARS program and that it is related to STARS “stealing” players. I wish to quiet this rumor and I look to fellow coaches in other mature and established programs to help with this too.
To arm you with the information you would need to help quell this, I am providing you with a few thoughts that you can use when this rumor comes your way.

Rumor: STARS uses travel as an opportunity to steal players.

Facts: In the past 16 months, STARS has taken several out-of-state trips, forming “all star” teams for these trips. STARS extends invites outside of its own club to performing student athletes to go out-of-state. In its summer 2008 Chicago, Thanksgiving 2008 Seattle, summer 2009 Chicago and Thanksgiving 2009 Seattle trips, STARS took a total of 17 players from outside of its own club to participate in these out-of-state events.

Iziah Newsome (Mountaineers), Kylelle Brown (Mountaineers)
Amu Aukusitino (Hoopers), Marques Robinson (Mountaineers)
Treyvond Stokes (Mountaineers), Samuel Liaga (Panthers)
Isiah Pili (Kings), Armond Griebe (Mountaineers)
Jared Hudson (Kings), Stanson Afoa (Hoopers)
Amaje Voliva (Mountaineers), Joe Riley (Mountaineers)
Isa Williams (Mountaineers), Kaeleb Franken (Mountaineers)
Dane Kuiper (Mavericks), Jalon Fitzgerald (Fairbanks)
Cole Berner (Fairbanks)

Every single one of these players returned to their original competitive team following the out-of-state event. Hopefully, the players returned to their team more mature, experienced, confident and capable.

Rumor: STARS steals players from other teams.

Facts: In the past four months, STARS has lost two players to other teams and gained five players from other teams. Three of the five players that STARS gained came from teams who have disbanded or reorganized in a manner that the kids didn’t have a home (one player from “Big Rich” team and two from Kings). Those kids approached STARS about joining the club, more looking for a source of stability in the face of an uncertain future with their former teams.

Two other players and their parents have been going back and forth about being part of STARS for some time. Initial conversations started when parents approached STARS coaches a few months ago. There was initial interest, but it was obvious that the parents were not fully sure if they wanted to make the move. They remained with their original team for some time. Recently, the parents came to the decision that their kids’ development was best served by a move over to STARS. Parents were told very clearly to have open discussion and communications with their past teams before making the move and they all said they would.

That type of decision occurs regularly – where a parent says their kids are better served by another team. I know of some former Panthers that moved to the Mountaineers recently because of this. And, like earlier mentioned, two STARS players moved to a different team for the same reason. I personally am happy that the kids found new clubs that makes them fulfilled and helps them develop even further! To be upset about such a thing would be just selfish and completely counter to our most basic philosophies.

Rumor: Players from other teams are being told that if they participate with STARS in any event they are not welcome back to their home team

Facts: I have full faith that established clubs like yours and mine do not send out such a message. I can’t believe that a club could be successful telling kids that they would be “punished” for taking advantage of additional training, developmental and growing opportunities that are presented to them from another development program. I would LOVE it if a team came and offered any of my players an opportunity to travel with them! I know I have players that could help make a club successful and I would tell them to POUNCE on that opportunity! I am certain that you would agree with this because I have faith in your basic philosophy that our clubs are focused on the development and experience of the deserving student-athlete!

My ask here is that you would make sure that nobody mistakenly thinks that this is your philosophy.

Thanks for taking the time to read and digest this. Although we compete on the basketball court, I enjoy the mutual respect we have for what we all attempt to accomplish in this community for the kids and I actually have always felt that we are on the same team.

If you find yourself with concerns that I can help address, PLEASE send your thoughts and concerns my way! We represent such a huge portion of boys and girls youth basketball development in this town and we need to ensure we are always supportive of each other.