INDIANA PACERS

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"We always say that when you have the basketball, you've got to think pass and when you don't have the basketball, you've got to think score" is a fantastic quote from Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, which is stated in this article about the selflessness of the Indiana Pacers, linked here

THE IOWA WAY

Earlier we shared a video about Iowa wrestler Tony Ramos in a series of documentaries called the "Iowa Way," and here are the other videos that have been released in the series.  They are definitely worth watching:

Iowa Way trailer

Tony Ramos video

Matt McDonough video

Derek St. John video

KEVIN EASTMAN ON MENTAL TOUGHNESS

Love this quote from LA Clippers assistant coach Kevin Eastman on toughness:

"Mental toughness is not usually seen in the actions of a person, but rather in the reaction of a person."

BRAD STEVENS REMAINS DRIVEN BY THE COMPETITION

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This article about Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, linked here, is well worth the read.

ZACH MCCABE INTERVIEW

Check out a very good interview with current Iowa Hawkeye men's basketball player Zach McCabe, linked here

LE MARS VOLLEYBALL TO STATE

Check out these two articles about the Le Mars volleyball them and their thrilling victory over Heelan, clinching a state tournament berth, linked here and here

A POWERFUL LETTER FROM YOGI ROTH

Check out this powerful letter to Richie Incognito (of the Miami Dolphins) from Yogi Roth, written here

THE CHEMISTRY OF THE BOSTON RED SOX

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Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox on a well-deserved World Series title.  Check out this article that profiles the key to their success, the team chemistry, linked here.

BOBBY LUTZ MAKING AN IMPACT

One of the best coaches in the game is NC State assistant Bobby Lutz.  Check out this great article that profiles the human side of this awesome coach, linked here

DOC RIVERS INVIGORATED BY OPPORTUNITY WITH CLIPPERS

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Check out this article about new LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, linked here.  Also, this is a fantastic quote from the article:

"Here, I don't know yet. The thing a player has to ask himself: Do you want to choose winning over standing out? Dwyane Wade made that choice, and I don't think he gets enough credit. LeBron [James] is clearly the best player in the league, but Wade was an All-Star, had a ring, an MVP in the Finals, and he chose winning over standing out.

"It's a choice every player on every championship team has to do."

TOM CLANCY'S 5 RULES FOR WRITING AND LIFE

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The late Tom Clancy offers some interesting insights, linked here

A REASON TO SHOW UP

Check out this awesome blog post from Diane Lichtenberg, a teacher and coach at Bettendorf (IA) High School.  There are some fantastic insights, linked here

KAWHI LEONARD

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As the NBA season kicks off, check out this article about one of the rising stars in the NBA (Kawhi Leonard) and what has made him successful, linked here

PARENTS AND THE OBSESSION TO WIN IN YOUTH SPORTS

Check out this thought-provoking editorial, linked here

MICAH HYDE

Green Bay Packers rookie (and former Iowa Hawkeye) Micah Hyde is making the most of his opportunities in Green Bay, by having a great rookie season.  Check out an article profiling Hyde as a true team player linked here, and also check out his 93 yard punt return for a TD vs. the Vikings here

THE CARDINAL WAY

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It's no coincidence that the St. Louis Cardinals are in the World Series.  They are talented, play the game the right way, and work together as a team.  Check out this very well-written editorial about one of the best franchises in professional sports, linked here

KEVIN GARNETT ON THE TEAM CULTURE

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Check out some outstanding thoughts on teamwork and the team culture from Kevin Garnett in the article linked here

JAMES MONTGOMERY SCHOLARSHIP VIDEO

Hard work, selflessness, perseverance, never quitting, and a positive attitude all pay off.  Northwestern men's basketball player James Montgomery is proof of that.  Check out this video:

DEION SANDERS BLOG

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If you haven't seen Deion Sanders' blog, you need to check it out.  He has some motivating and truthful blog posts..."The Strength to Stand" post is highly recommended.  Check out the link here

PEYTON MANNING

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Check out this inspiring article from The Washington Post about Peyton Manning's road to recovery, linked here

READERS SAVE THE WORLD

TONY RAMOS--THE IOWA WAY

Check out this awesome video on Tony Ramos, as part of the documentary "The Iowa Way", linked here

ASHTON KUTCHER'S SPEECH

It's been all over television and the internet, but in case you haven't seen it yet, you need to watch this video of Ashton Kutcher's speech at the Teen Choice Awards.  What phenomenal and powerful messages from this native Iowan (and Hawkeye fan!).  Take a look at the video here:

GUS BRADLEY'S CLIMB TO THE TOP

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Coaches:  check out this article about the incredible coaching journey of Gus Bradley, the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Great stuff, linked here

WHAT MADE MICHAEL JORDAN GREAT

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On the TV show "Open Court" on NBA Network, Steve Kerr, a former Chicago Bulls player and teammate of Michael Jordan, was asked what made Jordan so great when he was a player.  Here is what Kerr responded with:

"I think just the will to win and the way that manifested itself in practice.  Everyday was a battle, whether it was a scrimmage or a shooting drill, it didn't matter.  He wanted to win so badly, and that established the entire culture.  Here's the greatest, most talented player on Earth, who's working harder than anybody, so if that doesn't establish who you are as an identity as a team, then I don't know what does."

Some great words to describe the work ethic that made MJ so elite.  And the best part of Kerr's words is that anybody can bring that mentality and attitude to whatever they do!

WELL-WRITTEN LETTER FROM AN ATHLETE TO HIS PARENTS

Check out this insightful letter, written by an athlete to his parents that was shared by the site "Proactive Coaching" on Facebook and then also shared via Twitter.  It has generated thousands of "likes"on Facebook.  The link can be found here

VIC FANGIO INTERVIEW

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If you're a coach and if you like to read, you'll love bits and pieces of this candid interview with Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, linked here

ANDRE WOOLRIDGE

Cedar Rapids Gazette

One of the greatest Iowa Hawkeye basketball players of all-time is former point guard Andre Woolridge.  Check out this article from the Omaha World-Herald, which catches up with the Hawkeye great, linked here

LARRY BIRD AT PACERS PRACTICE

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Check out this cool article about Larry Bird putting on a shooting display at an Indiana Pacers practice, linked here

BULLDOGS DOMINATE SUMMER SPORTS

Congratulations to the Le Mars Bulldogs softball and baseball teams on wrapping up regular season Lakes Conference championships!  Check out the article from the Le Mars Daily Sentinel, linked here

BRYCE HARPER

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Check out this very moving story about Bryce Harper and a boy with cancer named Gavin Rupp, linked here

SEVEN LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM NELSON MANDELA

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Sadly, the world will soon by losing one of the greatest human beings to ever grace this planet:  Nelson Mandela.  As Mandela's condition worsens, we are left to consider the massive impact he has had on this world.  Check out this fine piece written about seven lessons of leadership from one of the greatest heroes ever, linked here

WHAT IS HARD WORK? (FROM ALAN STEIN)

Check out this motivational video on hard work, narrated by Alan Stein.  Great stuff...

RAY ALLEN AND THE PREGAME SHOOTING ROUTINE

Ray Allen's clutch three point shot with just seconds remaining in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals will go down in the annals of NBA Finals history as one of the greatest shots in one of the biggest games of all time. Allen's three pointer from the corner tied the game, sending it to overtime, where the Heat eventually prevailed to force a Game 7.  It was an amazing shot that will always be remembered.  Everyone watching around the world only witnessed one amazing, heroic shot from Ray Allen; they haven't witnessed the millions of shots from Ray Allen in solitude...practicing, working, and shooting to be the best shooter in the game.  People see the success, but don't realize the work and the hours that Allen put in for that moment of glory.  Take a look at the two YouTube videos that detail Ray Allen's obsession with being the best:  the pre-game shooting routine.

RAPH RHYMES FULFILLS HIS OMAHA PROMISE

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The College World Series is currently being played in Omaha, and it is one of the most exciting sporting events in America.  Check out this article, written by Jeffrey Marx (author of Season of Life) about Raph Rhymes of the LSU Tigers and fulfilling a dream, linked here

AHLERS SISTERS REPRESENT LE MARS TENNIS AT STATE

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It's been a fantastic tennis season for the Le Mars girls tennis team.  After reaching the state team tournament, the individual state tournament is underway.  Check out this great article from the Sioux City Journal about sisters Carolyn and Emily Ahlers as they compete at the state individual tournament, linked here.  For updates from the state tournament, you can follow @LCHSGIRLSTENNIS on Twitter.

LE MARS SOFTBALL PLAYING WITH A NEW FOCUS

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After the tragic death of former teammate Kelby Klein from an automobile accident earlier this spring, the Le Mars softball team has added inspiration for playing this summer.  Check out the great article from the Sioux City Journal, linked here

BOB HURLEY AND ST. ANTHONY HS

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If you haven't read The Miracle of St. Anthony, then you should.  It's an amazing book about boys basketball coach Bob Hurley and St. Anthony HS in Jersey City, NJ.  Hurley and the school have also been featured in the movie The Street Stops Here (also highly recommended).  Check out this update on Hurley and the school, as they fight for funds to keep the school afloat, linked here

ARE YOU A GYM RAT?

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Interesting insights about true "gym rats" in this article, linked here

MORE ON E. WAYNE COOLEY

Check out the well-written column from the "Iowa Boy" Chuck Offenburger, honoring the late pioneer of girls athletics in Iowa, E. Wayne Cooley.  The link is here, and Chuck's column is on the right side of the page.

JOE MAUER: PLAY MULTIPLE SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL

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Perhaps one of the best all-around athletes at any level today, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer says that high school kids need to play multiple sports and not specialize so soon.  Check out his quotes, along with some other great insights about Mauer, in the article linked here

ERIK SPOELSTRA

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A strong work ethic can carry a person to great success, especially at the highest level.  Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is living proof of that statement.  Check out this article about Spoelstra, linked here

E. WAYNE COOLEY

The pioneer of girls athletics in the state of Iowa, and a visionary for girls sports in this country, E. Wayne Cooley, has passed away at the age of 90.  Check out this article honoring Cooley from the Des Moines Register, linked here

CARROLL ACADEMY: LOSING TO WIN

Check out this feature on the Carroll Academy girls basketball team, recently aired on ESPN.

BOISE STATE FOOTBALL AND THE CULTURE OF SUCCESS

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Here is a very insightful article about Boise State Football and their culture of success, linked here.

THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS CULTURE

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Check out this fantastic article, written by a teacher/coach in St. Paul, Minnesota, for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, linked here

BUZZ WILLIAMS STORY

Great story linked here from the entertaining head coach of Marquette, Buzz Williams.

JOHN BEILEIN

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Michigan came up short in the national championship game against Louisville, but it was still a great postseason run for coach John Beilein and the Wolverines.  Beilein is a fantastic coach, and to read more about him, check out this great article, linked here

THERE'S NO INNOVATION WITHOUT UNCERTAINTY

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Check out this awesome web post, courtesy of a tweet from Bridgette Wagoner (Waverly-Shell Rock School District), linked here

SHAKA SMART AND BRAD STEVENS

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Some interesting tidbits in this article about ultra-successful young coaches Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens, linked here

THE ISSUE OF PACE AND SCORING IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL

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Check out this fascinating, thought-provoking article about the current situation of pace and scoring in men's college basketball, featuring a team from West Virginia, linked here

WHO'S LAUGHING NOW?

Check out this cool story about Garrett Gilkey, a kid who was once bullied but now will hear his name called in the upcoming NFL Draft in April, linked here

TOM IZZO ON PAYING THE PRICE

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It's March Madness, and is there is a better coach right now in college basketball during this time of year than Michigan State's Tom Izzo?  Here's a great quote from Coach Izzo from Jay Bilas' new book:  "They talk about what they want.  But to be the best, you have to pay the price to be the best.  And you have to be willing to pay the price every day.  It isn't easy, but it is absolutely worth it."

MIKE HART AND GONZAGA

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Reading and hearing about athletes like Mike Hart of the Gonzaga Bulldogs never gets old.  Check out two articles about this inspirational player linked here and here

THE CHEMISTRY OF IOWA BASKETBALL

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Read this great article from Iowa City Press-Citizen writer Pat Harty, about the team chemistry of the Iowa men's basketball team linked here

LE MARS GIRLS BASKETBALL BANQUET

2013 senior players and managers

It was a great night at LCHS last night as we honored all of the girls basketball players, parents, and contributors for a fantastic 2012-13 season.  In the picture above, you will see the senior players and managers...thank you seniors for all of your contributions to the program, the school, and the community!

DICK VITALE

It's March Madness, and basketball junkie/announcer Dick Vitale is synonymous with this time of year in college hoops.  Take the time to read this great article on "Dickie V" linked here

JIM CREWS AND THE ST. LOUIS BILLIKENS

AP photo

The Sporting News recently named its 2012-13 NCAA men's basketball coach of the year:  Jim Crews.  Check out this cool story about Jim Crews and his St. Louis Billikens here

THE PROCESS IS WHAT COUNTS

Fall in love with the process:  link

DOES EARLY SPECIALIZATION IN SPORTS HELP?

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The issue of specialization in sports at an early age is a hot topic in athletics in America.  To read more on this topic, including an interesting video interview with Blake Griffin, check out this insightful and thought-provoking blog entry, linked here.

FIRST WOMAN TO TRY OUT FOR THE NFL

To hear about the story of the first woman to try out for the NFL, click on the link here.

JAMES HARDEN AND THE FREE THROW RITUAL

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Free throw shooters need a ritual, no matter what the ritual might be.  Check out James Harden's routine, even if he is shooting technical shots at the line.  The link to the video is here.

THE WORK ETHIC OF KOBE BRYANT

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Check out this cool story about Kobe Bryant and his famed work ethic, linked here.

LE MARS BATTLES BUT FALLS TO HEELAN

The Le Mars Lady Bulldogs finished the 2012-13 season with a hard-fought regional semifinal loss to #1 ranked (Class 4A) Sioux City Bishop Heelan, at "The Pit."  The Lady Bulldogs gave a valiant effort but came up just short against the Crusaders, 59-53.  Heelan then advanced to the state tournament with a 70-39 victory over Spencer.  The Lady Bulldog basketball program bids farewell to 8 outstanding seniors:  Carolyn Ahlers, Mary Kate Eckstaine, Emily Ellefson, Ashley Phelan, Emily Pick, Meredith Rand, Molly Renken, and Sydney Rohde.  Thank you for an outstanding four years, seniors.  Best of luck to all of you in the future, and remember that you are always welcome back at the gym here in Le Mars!

Check out two stories from the game, linked here:

Le Mars Daily Sentinel

Sioux City Journal

CHRIS STREET



Check out the coverage from the Iowa City Press-Citizen and the Des Moines Register about the late Chris Street, a former Hawkeye basketball player who was tragically killed 20 years ago in Iowa City, when his car hit a snowplow.  Street, who was from Indianola, was my favorite Hawkeye of all-time.  I will always remember hearing the tragic news as a 6th grader at Robert Asp Elementary School in Moorhead, MN, and crying because I was so saddened by it.  Ironically, I didn't go to school the next day because I was sick with the flu, the only time I missed school all year.  I was so sad that it would have been difficult to go to school anyway.  I remember when I came back to school, everyone thought I was gone because of Chris Street's death, but it was actually because I was sick.  The good-natured ribbing I received daily as an Iowa fan in northern Minnesota did not happen that day because of the respect people had for Chris Street. 

The coverage of Chris Street can be found at www.hawkcentral.com

JIM BOEHEIM

Image from Phil5329 at en.wikipedia

Check out this awesome article about a true coaching legend, Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University, linked here