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.
==
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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Bill, perhaps you can explain to me why 3 of my current players who have been with me since 1st grade tell me they have been offered spots on the STARS unsolicited. They stayed and I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the parents' statements.
ReplyDeleteI am also aware of parents who are presently in your organization who have flat out told me they were recruited off other teams. One recently told me he would have come back if he knew who was going to be coaching our 5/6 team but we were filled by the time I talked to him.
You have told me on at least a couple of occasions what you are saying in this blog. The problem is action is action and words are words. I cannot know for sure if the left hand knows what the right hand is doing but this is more than just "nasty rumors."
I have had coversations with past and present coaches in town and the STARS reputation is what it is for a reason. The Mountaineers have the same reputation and the same parents who have been approached unsolicited have had the same thing from the men in green as well.
It is worth pointing out that the dissolving of teams can be a direct result of recruitment. That leads to more chaos.
My current 5/6 team actually has kids left behind by teams that dissolved or made cuts to put in players that came from other teams. That is one thing the STARS do not appear to do and I applaud you for that.
My only issue is it does not help development of talent when the best players end up on 1,2 or even 3 teams. I thought the 5/6 league had some balance last year and I suspect that balance will be shattered this year. It is not all the big clubs' fault but they certainly have played a role.
For all of the big talk on your site I have heard some absolutely appalling things from STARS' parents in the stands in the past two years.
I will also say that I do not think the kids I have lost to the STARS represent anything close to your ideals and that may be why some of them have moved on from the STARS. You are right in one respect in that it was best for them and my team to move on apart.
Dennis asked me to sign a letter and I never got back to him but I certainly would have signed. I also have talked to 3 other coaches that are working with me now as well as two other coaches who will have teams who would have signed it.
I hardly consider myself a great coach. I also do not consider our band of 20 players on two teams this year to be a mature organization.
I cannot offer the experience or knowledge of the big clubs. All I can do is the best I can and give some kids the chance to play comp basketball.
My e-mail to my parents this year basically promises that the 20 players with us will always have a home with us. I also told them they can move on if the opportunity is best for their son.
I take you at your word but I caution you that by speaking for your whole organization you may not be as accurate as you desire.
Brian Sweeney- Grizzlies 3/4 and 5/6
Brian:
ReplyDeleteI recall a conversation you and I had back in March and what you told me was direct "recruiting" going on. I was certain that this issue was resolved. You are more than free to give me direct examples in private email if this situation is not resolved.
When I wrote this blog, the words I wrote represent the fundamental ideals of this organization and any deviation from these ideals need to be addressed. Maybe the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing...that can happen...but your comment suggests this is systemic and not some exceptional situation. Again - send me details in private email and I will look into thoroughly.
I would like to comment about "the big clubs" and the tendency for these clubs to attract some of the stronger talent in town. I will speak to Alaska STARS only though. Alaska STARS, I assume is a "big club" and that has come because the program is a year-around program. Players who have come on board have developed into strong players due to year-around training and development and opportunities. The STARS go out of town and out of state to tournaments and participate in just about every conceivable event available. These opportunities and activities not only train STARS' year-round participants, but will attract those serious players (often good players) that want more and more opportunities to improve. Please understand that this is just the nature of the situation and I invite thoughts on what STARS should do in these situations when approached by motivated, deserving, and dedicated kids who want to participate and whose current club doesn't offer activities outside of December - March of each year.
I have always and continue to appreciate your comments to this board. I feel you bring a sense of grounding to conversations. I welcome SPECIFIC examples of issues that you feel I need to be fully aware of through offline/private communications!