A long overdue hello to everyone! After taking a little hiatus from blogging during the spring, I am determined to step my game up and write pretty regularly throughout the summer months.
A lot has happened since the end of the season in March until now. Unfortunately, as many of you know, we all lost a tremendous friend, teammate, and person when Brian “Swerv” Herrmann passed away in April in a car accident. Brian was a respectful, caring, happy young man and he was an absolute pleasure to coach. I know I will always cherish the memories that I have of him.
It was tough on everyone moving on from this tragedy, but I was extremely proud of the way the guys on the team conducted themselves and supported one another throughout.
Now, time continues to move on, and everyone has scattered to begin their summer plans. Fortunately, many of the players will stay here in Newport News for the summer – working local jobs and internships, working the CNU basketball camps (shameless plug here – spots are still available!), and taking classes. This is beneficial because it allows the guys to work out and play together during the week, and it provides them the opportunity to complete our summer strength and conditioning program under the supervision of the CNU strength coaches.
The summer is a critical time for any player, because it is the best opportunity any of them will have to devote themselves to individual improvement. A player can make huge strides in terms of his basketball skill level, strength, and physical conditioning if he puts in the proper work during the summer. We are expecting our guys to work hard and to be in the best shape of their lives once the fall semester begins in August.
For a college basketball coach, the summer doesn't mean a whole lot of beaches and barbeques. A majority of summertime is taken up organizing and running summer camps, getting caught up on administrative work, planning for next year, and of course, recruiting.
The summer months provide the best opportunity for coaches to get out and evaluate prospective recruits. So over the next few months, while all of you are sunning next to the pool or frolicking in the sand, I'll be sitting in poorly ventilated gyms across the nation watching high school basketball players run up and down the court all day. Makes you want to be a coach doesn't it?
Keep tuning in for all the behind the scenes access to CNU men's basketball during the dog days of summer. Stay cool out there!
