Greetings from Newport News! The crisp fall weather is slowly creeping in and another semester is in full swing here on the CNU campus. Energy and enthusiasm abound. Our fall sports teams have sprinted out of the gate as usual, bringing the distinctive atmosphere of high-level collegiate athletics onto campus.
 
This is always an exciting time of the year, as the following weeks and months hold so much promise. From the viewpoint of a college basketball coach, this is also a critical time for strengthening the foundation of the program.
 
With all that is going on right now, the coaches are juggling a number of different things. Last Thursday was the 4^th Annual Hampton Roads Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser held in downtown Norfolk. Coaches from the area colleges came together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. With the passing of former men's basketball coach and athletic director C.J. Woollum in February, this event took on an even greater significance for the CNU contingent. It was another successful evening, and we look forward to your continued support as we keep up the fight for this great cause.
 
On the basketball side, recruiting never stops (surprise, surprise). Last week our staff spent a few days in central and northern Virginia spending time with some of our top recruits. We've also been around a few of the local schools and have recently hosted a number of recruits on campus. More upcoming road trips await (Mom: I won't be eating too healthy this month). It is still early in the process for many prospects, but we have been working hard, making progress, and hope to see some positive results from our recruiting efforts in the near future.
 
Recruiting is very important, but the foremost priority, as always, is the current players on the squad. This time of the year coaches at the Division III level are not allowed to workout with their players on the court. However, we still have an active daily role in their lives. Seeing the players routinely in a non-basketball setting allows us as coaches to do a lot of mentoring and help our guys continue to progress in their development as student-athletes. Academics always come first, of course. Part of this time with the guys is spent making sure they are staying on top of their studies and, for those who need it, utilizing the tremendous academic support services offered by CNU and our athletics department. Starting the semester off right is imperative, and fortunately we have student-athletes who take their studies seriously.
 
As I mentioned before, in Division III coaches cannot get on the court with their players until mid-October. Thus, any team striving to be elite must have self-motivated players. The guys have answered the call here – working hard on their individual skill development while also pushing themselves in voluntary workouts with our fantastic strength & conditioning coach Mike Query.  You can't win a basketball championship in September or October, but you can certainly make great strides towards that destination with the daily effort and focus you put into the journey.
 
Summer may not seem that far removed, but official practices for Division I college basketball teams actually start this Friday, September 27^th. The rest of the college basketball world will follow not too long afterwards. We'll spend these final few weeks of preparation getting ourselves mentally and physically ready for another season on the hardwood. We look forward to seeing you all out there soon enough. Go Captains!