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Nov.
20, 2010
ENJOYING THE PROCESS
by Matthew Graves
It’s hard to believe that the start
of the 2010-11 basketball season is
already upon us. This is certainly
an exciting time for the players,
fans and media. However, I believe
for the coaches, especially speaking
from my point of view at Butler, we
really enjoy the process and the
journey that this season will bring
for all of us. So with the thought
of enjoying the process in mind, I
would like to talk about the five
Seniors on are roster and the impact
that they have made in taking our
program to new heights.
Alex Anglin has been an invaluable
member of are basketball team for
the last four years as a walk-on.
One interesting fact is that we
actually cut Alex his Freshman year
but to his credit he worked very
diligently and wanted to be an
impactful person in our program. His
contributions are not measured in
the stat sheet but everyday in
practice and off the court by
demonstrating a commitment to live
by the “Butler Way”. Alex has
already graduated and is currently
pursing a master’s degree. He will
begin work upon graduation at Price
Waterhouse Cooper accounting firm.
Grant Leiendecker is a fifth year
Senior who has battled various
injuries throughout his career but
that has not kept him from being the
best teammate he can be whether it
be thru helping the younger guys
understand are culture or making 3’s
on the scout team as we are
preparing for the next opponent.
Grant has been instrumental in
establishing how we want to be as a
program. After graduation this
Spring, Grant plans on enrolling in
Law school next Fall.
Zach Hahn is the fearless assassin
on the basketball court. He has
maximized his potential by being one
of the most diligent and hardworking
players to ever play at Butler. Zach
has worked hard to be the player to
make a big shot to quiet the crowd,
seal the victory or win the game at
the horn. He epitomizes the concept
of “knowing your role and doing it
to the best of your ability”. Zach
will be doing his student teaching
this Spring and we look for him to
do outstanding things as a teacher
and coach in the future.
Shawn Vanzant has been the high
energy sparkplug that demonstrates a
passion for the game that becomes
extremely contagious on a team. His
willingness to sacrifice and
understand his role first and
foremost on the defensive end of the
floor defines what are team success
is all about and that winning
championships is far greater than
individual accolades. Shawn is
currently doing his internship with
the juvenile detention center in
Indianapolis showing that same
passion he has on the court by
helping troubled kids. Shawn will
complete his degree in social work
this Spring and look to further his
playing career.
Matt Howard was the signature
recruit four years ago and will go
down as one of the greatest players
in Butler basketball history.
However, I will remember Matt for
the humility he exhibits on a daily
basis. I don’t know if I have ever
been around a more talented player
that has less of an ego and who
cares about winning more than Matt.
He certainly is the perfect type of
person to build a championship
program around. He will finish his
business degree this Spring and look
to pursue opportunities playing
professionally.
So as I close on this entry, I want
to say “Thank You” to the five
Seniors who have embodied the
“Butler Way” and put this program on
a new level without sacrificing the
same principles we started from the
beginning. Here is to enjoying the
journey one more time with the five
of you.
GO Bulldogs!
Feb 15, 2010
PUT YOUR SIGNATURE ON IT
by Matthew Graves
As everyone heads into the final
stretch before conference tournament
play begins, coaches are constantly
looking for different ways to
motivate players to perform at their
best. This can be accomplished in
any number of ways from altering
practice length, changing practice
drills, tweaking scouting report
presentations or taking extra days
off, all of which can be effective
depending on your team. We actually
do a combination of all the
aforementioned but more importantly
communicate to our guys that every
time you take the floor you are
"Putting Your Signature on It!"
The influence athletes in general
have on people (especially kids) is
simply incredible and we stress to
our players that it is important to
show that by how you carry yourself
on the court, in the classroom and
out in the community. This really
hit home with me as I was playing
with my oldest daughter last Spring.
She was three years old and learning
how to go to the bathroom by
herself. After playing for awhile,
she walked into our master bathroom
and I went to cleaning up around the
house thinking she will yell for me
when she is finished. As I continued
working around the house, I lost
track of time and it must have been
10-15 minutes and no sign of her. As
I walked to the bathroom I could
hear her voice and what I witnessed
will stick with me forever (really
needed a camera). She was sitting on
the potty, with a Butler Basketball
Media Guide, reciting the names of
the players and their uniform
numbers.
It was priceless!! By being around
our players at various events she
had memorized their faces and
numbers. I will never forget this
moment and as I tell our guys you
never know who is watching your
every move and who is looking up to
how you carry yourself so why not
put your best foot forward all the
time.
PUT YOUR SIGNATURE ON IT!!!
Best of luck to all the teams as we
head into the greatest sporting
event in my mind: MARCH MADNESS.
This feature also appears on:
http://collegechalktalk.com/coachesDiary/butler/index
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