Don’t Be A Fool! Coaches, Loosen Up So The Kids Can Too!

Ok, for all you coaches and parents who have the tendency to go awall on your players or the referees during a game, stop. Not the NBA, college, or high school coaches necessarily, but without a doubt the coach of an AAU team, or a community league team for little kids. When you yell and curse and flip out, all your doing is discouraging these young players from doing what they should be doing; having fun. Same for you parents who are so obsessed with your child being the best, that you force them to live out your own childhood dreams instead of allowing them to achieve their own. I hate seeing a young player who only try to live out another person’s dreams. Both coaches and parents, quit the lashing of words upon your players. Realize that these kids probably won’t grow up to become a superstar, but rather, a key plus for the society. Teach them leadership, and understanding, in a way they will understand. Don’t worry so much about the plays and the numbers, instead focus on teaching hard work, but with compassion. If they say they are tired, keep them out on the court for another forty-five seconds or so, and observe their energy level. Go ahead and sub for them, and when they get back to the bench, sit them down, congratulate them, and tell them what they did well, and what they need to work in. Tell the parents at the beginning of the year what your intentions are, and what you expect them to do as parents. Forcing a player to stay on the team for a key purpose of winning is unacceptable. Make the parents understand that their child doesn’t contribute much if they gain a bad attitude from forced dreams. As a matter of fact, a player who is allowed to leave the team, for whatever reason, contributes in a more positive way than a cocky player who won’t help out.

More to come. Please tell me what you think, I would like to hear from some coaches who work with young players. Keep in mind, I have observed several types of coaching, including AAU games. Don’t think I am blind writing, because this is exactly what I would do as a coach of an AAU team. Just try this, and send some feedback.

The Heart And Soul of the Knights

Originally Published in the December-January 06-07 Issue of Miami Valley Sports Magazine

For Alter fans young and old, this fall was the most exciting and captivating yet. From the hardwood to the gridiron, and everywhere in between, the Knights’ fans have stayed on the edge of their seats all season long. Whether it was a volleyball game, a cross-country meet, or a soccer match, the students and parents of Alter High School were there, to cheer on their team.
The 2006 fall sports teams have been receiving a great deal of attention in the past few weeks for their success. Four of the five major athletics programs earned a place in the state championship game. Of the four, one came out with the championship trophy. At Alter, only the number of fans the Knights have matches the amount of success the sports’ teams have had. With every success the teams have, the more attention they receive, giving the teams an incentive to be successful. A key role in the success is not only the coaches and players, but also the Athletic Director at Alter, Ms. Christina Hart.
The student-athletes at Alter are very appreciative and grateful for the work Ms. Hart has done during her years as Athletic Director. Whether it is organizing the various six-hour awards’ banquets at the end of the season, or checking in on the teams occasionally, the whole Alter community is grateful for her work. I have heard students say things like, “I am very thrilled to be an athlete at Alter, and ecstatic that we have Hart as our Athletic Director here.” and the teachers will say “Hart is a great athletic director, allowing for success on and off the field.”
In the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word success is defined as “to attain a desired object or end.” This year, the talented athletes at Alter have succeeded on and off the field. For starters, the majority of student-athletes, 78% to be exact are active members of the Alter Key Club. The Key Club is an organization that serves the local communities in various ways. As well as the Key Club, some teams require the players to do service for a set amount of time. This allows character building, patience, and time management to develop throughout the season.
At Alter, the opening home game of each season is a sign of things to come later on that season. Alter went 5-0 in their home openers, showing the dominance and affect the fans have on the Knights. That is a great way for a high school to kick off the season. With the Alter football team opening the season with a big win against Fairmont, spearing the birds 33-0, the team gave a preview of the historic season that would shape the school forever…
As the Alter faithful looked on, the Knights, a team led by 22 seniors, went a perfect 10-0 on the season for the first time in Alter High School history. The Knights clashed head-to-head with the best in the state of Ohio in their 2006 playoff run. Since 2001, the football team has been in the state playoffs. The Knights were ranked either #1 or #2 in the state of Ohio throughout the regular season. Amidst the 14 wins the Alter football program had, the head coach, Ed Domsitz, gained his 200th victory, after destroying the Eaton Eagles, 49-0. Domsitz, with his 200th win, was put into a class that many coaches will be far from reaching.
During the final pep rally of the season, Domsitz said, “This senior class of 2007 has won all 33 GCL games but one, that is a tremendous feat to reach and I am very proud of them.”
In the final game for the football team, Alter played Steubenville Big Red… for the State Championship. The Knights were on unfamiliar ground, and gave it their best. Steubenville, however, were defending D-III champions and on a 29 game win streak. The clash between the State’s #1 and #2 team was full of passion, surprises, and heartbreak. The Knights were on the verge of going 15-0 for the first time ever. The Knights were already given the title of best team in school history, after making their first ever, state championship. As the game unraveled, Big Red dominated for the entire first half. As both teams entered the locker rooms, the Alter Knights’ faithful students got ready to cheer their lungs out, no matter what the outcome of the game was. The stands, which were held down by tons of cement, were about ready to collapse. The fire was lit for an Alter comeback.
For 42 years, the Alter Knights had waited for a chance to play in a State Championship Game…42 long, long years. In addition, Alter was down 33-34 with 2:03 left in the game, and decided to the fatal call of the Flea Flicker. The pass, thrown by Laumann, was picked off at the Steubenville 26-yard line. As the Knights’ offense came off the field, tears fell from their eyes, not sweat from the game, but solid tears. Steubenville called a timeout with 19 seconds left, and took a knee. The game was over; the Knights’ season was done, with a record of 14-1.
After the teams exchanged handshakes, Alter gathered tightly in a circle around the 30-yard line. They bent down and began to pray. As the presentation of the State Trophies began, the Knights went to the ordered spots in silence. On Alters’ side, heartbreak, compassion, and anger took hold.
Many parents, students, and Alter fans were crying. Nevertheless, there was reason for the broken fans to be empowered. Their beloved Alter Knights had made it that far, and they knew that they could do it again. The season ended on a bittersweet tone. The Knights had lost in their first Championship Game, but ended at second best. The faith shown in fans, players, and parents, is only one of the reasons so many are proud to be an Alter Knight.
In 1999, the Lady Knights joined the GGCL Grey, a branch of the GGCL. Since then, a dominant presence has been something people noticed about the Alter girl’s soccer program. This year, in the year 2006, the same dominance was present. Usually the team adds one freshman to their roster, and this year it was no different. Freshman Midfielder, Katie Janz, of St. Charles, made the final cut. Led by Carly Mygrants and Carrie Adkins, both seniors, the Lady Knights’ soccer team compiled a record of 13-5-1. The team was announced as a co-champion of the GGCL Grey, tying with Hamilton Badin for first place. It was the first GGCL title for the Knights since the year 2000. Under Head Coach Jason Balogh, the girls went into the State Tournament, beating Middletown Madison and Oakwood, their backyard rivals. In their final game, the Lady Knights matched up against Hamilton Badin, their fellow GGCL Grey Champions. In a heartbreaker, they lost, 2-1. The year was quite successful for the Lady Knights however. For only the fourth time in Alter girls’ soccer history, someone was named an All-American. That someone was Carly Mygrants, who was the proud owner of six other plaques for her accomplishments in the 2006 season. According to various resources, she plans to attend Alabama for college. The 2006 Lady Knights have much to be grateful for, and hope to be as successful for years to come.
Back in ’98, the Alter boy’s soccer team joined the few schools that were good enough to win a fourth state title. This year, as every other year, they looked to reclaim what was rightfully theirs: trophy number five.
On the evening of August 26, Alter was given their 400th all-time victory, against backyard rival, Fairmont. The convincing 4-1 win over the Firebirds, led by Lamar Skeeter, placed the Alter boys 3rd on the all-time wins list. The team finished the season with the record of 18-3-1. For senior Kyle Bertrams, an Academic All-Star, the team was at the top of its game. For 8 years, the team was lurking in the shadows, but the soul of the Knights lied with the fans. At every home game, the stands were packed. The Knights who won four state titles in the span of 11 years (1987-1998), were revived, with more spirit and pride than ever.
Throughout the state tourney, the Knights were dominant, allowing only two goals. The team was crowned district, GCL, and Regional champions in D-II. The State championship game, played at Columbus Crew Stadium, was the site of the State Championship game. The Alter Soccer team faced the Walsh Jesuit Warriors, who were ranked #1 in the state of Ohio, after compiling a record of 20-2 before the championship. In a hard fought battle for the title, the Kettering Alter Knights would have to settle for state runners-up.
The final score was 2-0, and the hometown heroes’ season was over. In spite of the loss, the Knights were able to put on a partial smile for the team picture with the trophy, after the game. Nevertheless, the soccer team at Alter High School marked their place in Ohio sports’ history, and look forward to breaking their rival, Centerville’s record of 463 wins. If they stay hot for the next three seasons, they will break the record.
In just four years, the Alter Volleyball team has prevailed twice as state champions, the other two state titles belonging to Roger Bacon. This year, yet again, the team looked for a third title. For senior, Kacie Hausfeld, the chance to play in a state title game was one she dreamt about. Kacie had a record season, literally, by breaking her previous record for assists, which she set last year as a junior. The previous record of 834 assists was abolished by the 978 assists she compiled this year.
This year, the volleyball team was made up of seven senior players, two juniors, and three sophomores. Senior leaders, Moira Cummins, Emily Borchers, Sarah Fisher, and Kacie Hausfield were the heart and soul of the 26-3 Knights. The site of the D-II playoffs was a local venue, the Nutter Center. The girls won all of the playoff games in 3 sets. Once again, the opponent for the state championship was Walsh Jesuit. The back and forth battle was decided in four sets, Alter winning three of the four. Unlike the boy’s soccer team, the volleyball team prevailed over the Warriors, to claim Alter High School’s first and only fall sports’ state championship trophy.
The cross-country team was on the verge of breaking the cold streak they had over the past two years. The cold streak, ironically, came in the state championship race only. The past two years, the margin of defeat was by no more than 6 points. The boys team was led by Tim Raffio, the only boys’ team member to make the championship. The team had much success this year. In the state championship, the girls yet again, took home the state runners up trophy. This time, the margin was three tiny points, which let Salem claim the title. Tim Raffio came in 20 in the boy’s cross-country state championship.
Congratulations to the 2006 fall Knights for the success they have had this year. Let the success continue and keep your pride as an Alter Knight visible for years to come.

A New Bell Tolls

Dayton, OH-As many look around, trying to find this bell, it becomes louder and louder. But for all of these wondering visitors, the bell will only be found in one place. When they find it, all will be understood. For those familiar with this community, this bell signals a new beginning, and undying hope.

Amidst the sounds of cheering and clapping, the long awaited bell begins to encompass the venue. The crowd erupts in excitment, as the Dayton Flyers enter the packed arena, and start to make their way onto Blackburn Court. Deep inside the ears of every child, woman, and man, the bells toll. Yes, the one and only “Space Jam”, plays throughout U.D. Arena.

Many say that their school is the most spectacular, but I am not one of them. I, instead, consider it to be similar to the others, but at the end of the day, could be considered a storied, but unrecognized program. While the ESPN crew somewhat resents the Dayton Flyers, most likely because of the 2003 loss to 13 seeded Tulsa in the NCAA tournament, several other corporate giants of the sports journalism world just don’t realize that Dayton is a school.

With the exclusion of Xavier, and the occasional St. Joseph’s, the rest of the A-10 seems to get left in the dust. As far as U.D. is concerned, that is a familiar stance. As far as I could tell from the NIT website, the Dayton Flyers have the most Postseason NIT appearances, with 20. Unfortunately, many of today’s fans see the NIT as pointless. What they must realize is that before the NCAA National Championship (the tourney), the NIT was pretty much that. But it soon fell by the wayside, after the NCAA N.C. became more popular.

Earlier this year, the University of Dayton held a “Celebration of Flyer’s Basketball”, which looked back to the beginnings of the program, and went from era to the next, up to last season. It was a remarkable sight, with figures like Bob Knight, John Paxson, and Jay Bilas in attendace. The time of change was nearing, but few knew it. I soon found myself rooting on the Red and Blue, just as I had been for the past 15 years, but this year was different. Much different.

The Flyers; my Flyers, the team that had been struggling for the past few years, had it all going for them. I went to every U.D. basketball game that I could; the Findlay exhibition game, the American University game, and the Coppin State game. Any time the team hit the road, or played a game I couldn’t go to, I put my Macintosh to work, using Gametracker to follow my team. If it was televised, I would watch it.

Although Dayton began to tumble at the end of the regular season, the senior leader, Brian Roberts, did his best to give his Flyers a shot at going to the postseason. When this season is over, many people will remember the faces, the wins, and the losses. Others will remember the star players, the joy, and the hard work these young men put forth. But for me, memories of the leadership, the perserverance, and the heart of each one of these players will sustain me until next year, when people will indeed realize that a new bell has tolled in Dayton, Ohio.

Alter’s Boucher a Quick Study at Quarterback; Establishing Himself Among Area Elite

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON

Miami Valley Sports Magazine’s Website

on October 3, 2007

KETTERING, OH- Ever since Alter’s perfect season came to an end against Steubenville in last year’s Division III state title game, other Alter students, along with myself, have wondered what could be waiting in the future. And that future of uncertainty has become a reality, as the Knights are led by 35 seniors and a junior quarterback in Austin Boucher.

It’s not only Boucher’s arm that’s stunning, but his all around abilities.

“He can get you back in the game just by changing your mindset,” junior FB Justin Hall said. “I think he’s a great player, and off the field, well, he’s pretty goofy.”

But Boucher is, as usual, critical of himself, saying “I need to work on everything.”

I’m not an expert or anything, but isn’t a quarterback who has a completion percent of 60.65, seven passing TDs and just two interceptions in six games a pretty good one? Oh, not to mention that he suffered a shoulder contusion, taking his passing abilities away for two of the Knight’s six games. And furthermore his passer rating would be about a 120.86 on the NFL level, out of a possible 158.3.

The other day I talked to senior, Ben Gough (WR, LS), about A.B. All he had to say was “I don’t see any weaknesses at all in Austin’s game; he’s a great quarterback.”

There are two things that give Austin the edge over most QBs. The first is his hunger for perfection; whether it is on the field or in the classroom. As a freshman and sophomore, his GPA was around a 3.7. The other edge that he has is he’s surrounded by teammates who give Boucher a place to call his own: the passer pocket. With big guys like Bo Vari, Evan Johnson, Bobby Joseph, and Eric Freimuth (all seniors), there is usually a good amount of pass protection.

“I want to be seen as team player,” says Boucher, “I do the best I can daily and try to help others as well. They are always there to give me some help when I need it too.”

By earning respect from both his classmates and the senior players, Boucher is showing he has what it takes to be a leader, both now and in the future.

Alter coach Ed Domsitz was willing to go more in depth on that matter.

“Austin’s abilities to throw and to run the option sets are great qualities,” Domsitz said. “He is also able to direct the offense. That’s what makes him a complete quarterback.”

Domsitz isn’t about to abandon the run though.

“To have a successful football team, you can’t rely solely on the passing game, there has to be a presence to run the ball when the time is right,” the coach said.

Domsitz is showing more trust in the passing game every day and Boucher has helped that.

Ever since the South Carolina football camp experience he had a few years ago, Bocuher’s done everything he can to achieve his dream – attaining an NCAA Division I football scholarship. If he stays on target and keeps going for it, A.B. will make that a reality.

With its attitude, leadership, and abilities, Alter is hoping to return to Massillon and leave as winners. The Knights are in D-IV this season.

Thus far Alter is 6-0 and averaging 44.7 points per game. The Knights are allowing 14 points.

Alter’s sturdy defense, has 13 picks, four fumble recoveries and 26 tackles-for-loss.

The unit is led by Boucher’s twin brother Collin who has 35 tackles.