Post by coachaaron on Apr 21, 2006 9:16:59 GMT -6
This was posted by one of our players, Brian "GI" Sands, on our message board over the weekend. This is one of the best things I have seen written by a semi pro player. I have a little commentary about it at the end, but I can't take any credit for what Brian said here, this came from him and there is a lot to learn from this:
canes-
just wanted to get this off my chest. over these past few weeks i have been in shock. if i walked into the past two training sessions and someone told me it was THE CANES in there giving 110% i wouldnt have believed them. with no doubt in my mind i am proud to say i am a Cane.
i know through the year things start to wear on all of us... longer summer hours, family obligations, and just trying to find time to relax but on top of that we have practice...
i dont know about everyone else but i dont wake up the day of practice and games and think to myself "man another day of work" im hopping out of bed just wanting work to get over so i can get to practice or the game... just knowing i have that at the end of the day to look forward to motivates me. i love the idea of going out there with you guys and giving it all i have, and its even better when im hurting and i look next to me and see the other guy hurting but clapping, and yelling trying to motivate everyone.
we have a hell of a team, and from what i have seen so far a great group of coaches who are motivated and want to lead us as far as we are willing to follow...
i guess all i am really trying to convey here is this-
everyone gets tired, everyone has other obligations in life, but the thing that is going to seperate us from the rest of the pack this year is this.... we are willing to step up and be the husbands, fathers, employees, etc. and then at the end of the day we are willing to go out there and work just as hard at football...
at the end of the day, and at the end of the game... heart and the guts to pick yourself and do what has to be done will always win out... LETS KEEP UP THE HARD WORK AND CONTINUE TO SHOW JUST HOW MUCH HEART AND MOTIVATION WE HAVE... we continue to do that and we will never be dissapointed.
-Brian "GI" Sands
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Comments:
Great sentiment, Brian. Our offensive Coordinator, Coach Paul Moran, alerted me to this post on Sunday evening and I did not respond until now as I wanted some time to think about what Brian had written.
This post is really what this level of football (and really all levels of football) is about. Taking pride in what you do and doing it the right way is extremely important. Remember the 4 questions I ask about all our players (and coaches) before I decide what role they will have on the team [lifted from Lou Holtz]:
1) Do you care about your teammates?
2) Can I trust you?
3) Do you buy into the system?
4) Are you committed to winning?
All four of these things are reflected in what GI had to say. It always amazes me that some players do not enjoy practice and don't want to be there; how GI feels about games and practices really mirrors how I feel about them as well (waking up in the morning focused on football and looking forward to it). For me, I actually look forward to practice even more than the games as that is when I can really teach and prepare the players to be successful on game day . . . for me, as a coach, the games are secondary in certain ways as 90% of my work is done and it is up to the players to make things happen and win the game. Practice is another opportunity to put your pads on and take part in the game we love; this is just as important as the games.
It should also be noted that Brian's comments go beyond the scope of what happens on the field and into our daily lives. I think it is very important to bring the philosophies, work ethic, and values (sportsmanship etc) into all parts of our lives. I have heard coaches at the semi pro level say they are not trying to teach life lessons as the players are grown men and that they are just teaching football. However, if you are coaching football correctly, it is impossible to avoid teaching life lessons; the same things that make you a successful football player will also breed success in other areas of life.
This post was a lot of food for thought; thank you Brian for enlightening us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaron Beineke, Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
North East Hurricanes
"Hardest working coach in semi pro football"
www.northeasthurricanes.org
aaronbeineke@northeasthurricanes.org
canes-
just wanted to get this off my chest. over these past few weeks i have been in shock. if i walked into the past two training sessions and someone told me it was THE CANES in there giving 110% i wouldnt have believed them. with no doubt in my mind i am proud to say i am a Cane.
i know through the year things start to wear on all of us... longer summer hours, family obligations, and just trying to find time to relax but on top of that we have practice...
i dont know about everyone else but i dont wake up the day of practice and games and think to myself "man another day of work" im hopping out of bed just wanting work to get over so i can get to practice or the game... just knowing i have that at the end of the day to look forward to motivates me. i love the idea of going out there with you guys and giving it all i have, and its even better when im hurting and i look next to me and see the other guy hurting but clapping, and yelling trying to motivate everyone.
we have a hell of a team, and from what i have seen so far a great group of coaches who are motivated and want to lead us as far as we are willing to follow...
i guess all i am really trying to convey here is this-
everyone gets tired, everyone has other obligations in life, but the thing that is going to seperate us from the rest of the pack this year is this.... we are willing to step up and be the husbands, fathers, employees, etc. and then at the end of the day we are willing to go out there and work just as hard at football...
at the end of the day, and at the end of the game... heart and the guts to pick yourself and do what has to be done will always win out... LETS KEEP UP THE HARD WORK AND CONTINUE TO SHOW JUST HOW MUCH HEART AND MOTIVATION WE HAVE... we continue to do that and we will never be dissapointed.
-Brian "GI" Sands
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Comments:
Great sentiment, Brian. Our offensive Coordinator, Coach Paul Moran, alerted me to this post on Sunday evening and I did not respond until now as I wanted some time to think about what Brian had written.
This post is really what this level of football (and really all levels of football) is about. Taking pride in what you do and doing it the right way is extremely important. Remember the 4 questions I ask about all our players (and coaches) before I decide what role they will have on the team [lifted from Lou Holtz]:
1) Do you care about your teammates?
2) Can I trust you?
3) Do you buy into the system?
4) Are you committed to winning?
All four of these things are reflected in what GI had to say. It always amazes me that some players do not enjoy practice and don't want to be there; how GI feels about games and practices really mirrors how I feel about them as well (waking up in the morning focused on football and looking forward to it). For me, I actually look forward to practice even more than the games as that is when I can really teach and prepare the players to be successful on game day . . . for me, as a coach, the games are secondary in certain ways as 90% of my work is done and it is up to the players to make things happen and win the game. Practice is another opportunity to put your pads on and take part in the game we love; this is just as important as the games.
It should also be noted that Brian's comments go beyond the scope of what happens on the field and into our daily lives. I think it is very important to bring the philosophies, work ethic, and values (sportsmanship etc) into all parts of our lives. I have heard coaches at the semi pro level say they are not trying to teach life lessons as the players are grown men and that they are just teaching football. However, if you are coaching football correctly, it is impossible to avoid teaching life lessons; the same things that make you a successful football player will also breed success in other areas of life.
This post was a lot of food for thought; thank you Brian for enlightening us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaron Beineke, Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
North East Hurricanes
"Hardest working coach in semi pro football"
www.northeasthurricanes.org
aaronbeineke@northeasthurricanes.org