Thanks!
I've seen the damage done to guys who fall victim to a greedy AAU/High School coach and their lies about what school is best for them. It is not a good outcome when it fails and it is sad that many of these coaches could true care less.
I commend you as well for also being true to yourself and your players.
Many of my guys still thank me til this day for truly being there for them and not just in it for what I could receive. I told them early on, yes the NBA may be your goal but not everyone makes it there. You can earn a great living playing the same amount of time overseas with the luxuries of not having to pay for food, transportation, and housing, and much of the money there isn't taxed.
I can't say I seen that. Most, if not all, I have met in AAU girls BB have had the right reason to be there...But, just as in ANY field or level of a game, there are many Aunt-Uncle/Daddy-mom/best friend/Brother(s) who don't need to be steering the age group they are in. . . Here is no different.
The only ones making money in the AAU are the ones who try to make money on
anything they do. The rest of us coach because we love it.
What if I got paid for what I was doing on a busy year...In Marietta, durig one of my busier years I
coached AAU for the pistols,
was Director for the 12 team division of the 12U EMBL competitive rec league and coached both a 12u and an 18u team
Did a 10 week / 3 hour Saturday skills session called "Summer Session"
Must of coached about a hundred kids that year.
I remember every one as I go through the teams, sessions and such and think,,Man what if I got paid for all of that.
Then I think of Amber (who, at a " Atlanta Dream" game, got an autograph ball from Dwight Howard..I carried the ball high, got his attention and pointed to the ball then to Amber, he let me toss him a lob and signed it and passed it back. Amber beamed...And later met the new owner of the team and the residing Pres of the WNBA Donna O.)) and her "magic's" Mom, Lashonna, who went through every step with Amber and I for 3 years.,,,The G___er family. who, I coached all three of their girls...All, I nicknamed "Thunder" "Storm" and "Merc"...And, Samantha,,whose Dad said to me,,,She's thinks she "needs" to play basketball..She's too soft, tall yes (11 yrs old, 5'11") but she doesn't have a competitive bone in her body". After talking with Samantha, I felt she really wanted to do this... She made the HS team, found volleyball and C-ya... Her Dad, Bruce became a 9 years friend.
Nope, I didn't make much money doing my second craft. (still haven't :hi
. . . But who knows.
Sorry to get mushy but this one is personal. I value and love my time with AAU coaching and the contacts, friends and most of all the families that I had the good fortune of getting to meet.
