Our first three days of practice coincided with mid-term week. This mid-term week led up to our fall break. From being in the classroom myself, I understand the value of concluding a portion of your course material before a four-day break as it creates a natural opportunity to start fresh when the students return to the classroom. A common by-product of this approach, because most professors do proceed with this timeline, is that the stress levels of the students become elevated - in many cases ridiculously elevated.

Here is where sport is, once again, a wonderful component to have in one’s life. Working out relieves stress, it takes your mind off of what normally is consuming it and releases endorphins that make you feel better. During this time of mid-terms (and it will inevitably happen again at the end of the semester during finals) the team is encouraged to use practice as a time to leave the school work behind for a couple of hours and use basketball as an outlet. I am IMPRESSED with the level of focus the team has demonstrated through this week of mid-terms, better than I have seen in the past. Even though it is the first three days, the indication that this team is choosing to be disciplined is clear. There is a lot to learn at the beginning of any season and the team is doing a fabulous job of knowing gym time is basketball time, not time to worry about their biology exam or English paper. The team is finding a way to stay focused on basketball when the time requires them to do so. It’s a compliment to the upper-class players that they have devised a plan for handling these times in the semester that normally create higher anxiety levels and, oftentimes, the inability to focus. Their success in handling this situation sets a great template for the new players to follow.

What all of this translates to is a fantastic first three days of practice - covering a lot of information while working hard and making clear strides in a short amount of time. Focus and discipline through adverse situations is a valuable trait to have. I’m happy to see the team developing that trait.

An excellent tone has been set.