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THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS ...
Scouts play hard-ball when recruiting
By Coach Michael Thomas
Special to AUGUSTA FOCUS
ecently, several of the CS-
R&’s top high-school boys’ bas
kegball players decided to attend
school elsewhere. This was baf
flilag and came as somewhat of a
shock to many as they tried to
understand why these kids would
make such a decision:
First, allow me to preface ev
erything by saying I wouldn’t
dare attempt to comment on
these specific situations. I am
not privy to all the circumstanc
es that went into these young
sters’ and parents’ choices. In
fact, no one can serve as judge
and jury on their decisions ex
ceptthose who are “in the know.”
It’s been said one can’t under
stand another until they’ve
walked in their shoes. So with
that in mind, all my remarks are
relegated to generalities. How
ever, I can comment about my
particular experience when I
coached twoblue-chip basketball
players — Vonteego Cummings,
high-school All-American and
University of Pittsburgh signee,
and Antrone Lee, All-Stater and
University of Florida signee.
These two players were in very
similar situations as those play
ersithat transferred.
Tyson ordered to pay Rooney $4.4 million
ALBANY, N.Y.
(AP) Mike Tyson and his sup
porters blamed racism for a ju
ry's order Monday that the prize
figh}»ter must pay his former
trainer more than $4.4 million
for unjustly firing him in 1988.
“It’s hard for middle-class peo
ple to like somebody who’s black
and_rich,” complained Tyson,
adding that he would appeal.
The federal court verdict also
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Sports Focus
Normally, players of this cali
ber are invited to prestigious tal
ent camps and are afforded the
opportunity of playing in very
competitive AAU tournaments
across the nation. In addition to
collegerecruiters, prep-school re
cruiters or individuals acting on
their behalf also attend. Usual
ly, at some point, it is suggested
to these players by these repre
sentatives that their school could
better serve his needs. Theyboast
more and better exposure, more
focus in academics, chances for
improving SAT or ACT scores
and an opportunity to play on a
good team with other outstand
ing players. To most high
schoolers, this all sounds won
derful. Also, many AAU coaches
themselves act as brokers for
prep schools. Very often these
coaches have provided transpor
tation, lodging and meal money
for these players to attend these
tournaments. Many times young
sters receive tennis shoes and
other basketball apparel. The
AAU coach has often formulated
a relationship — albeit superfi
cial and materialistic — with his
players. So, when he suggests
they attend another high school,
the adolescents are apt to listen
to him.
This canreally put the player’s
was denounced as racially moti
vated by Tyson’s promoter, Don
King,and New York City activist
Al Sharpton, who brought doz
ens of demonstrators to the court
house.
“An all-white jury has just
robbed Mike Tyson of human sta
tus,” Sharpton said.
Tyson said he was within his
rights when he fired Kevin
Rooneyin anger after the trainer
original high-school coach in a
bind. On one hand, you want to
put him in highly exposed and
competitive situations such as
camps and tournaments. This
aids him in college recruitment
and recognition for high-school
honors. On the other hand, given
the wrong set of circumstances,
the high-school coach runs the
risk of losing his star player. So
what can a coach do? I would not
attempt to tell any coach what to
do because each situation is as
different as are the players in
volved. I can only share what I
did.
First, there hastobe a genuine
and mutually loyal relationship
between player and coach, built
on trust and supported by hones
ty and integrity, particularly on
the part of the coach. The player
and parents have to feel the orig
inal high-school coach has his
player’s best interests in mind.
Fortunately, I had this type of
relationship with Cummings and
Lee. My vision for them and their
vision for themselves were the
same — for them to reach their
potentials as people, students
and players, in that order.
Second, your program must ad
equately provide many of the
things the prep schools are offer
ing. Because you can’t argue with
made televised comments about
Tyson’s failed marriage to Robin
Givens and his contract dispute
with former manager Bill
Cayton.
He also said he would have
helped Rooney out if he had only
asked him, instead of taking him
to court. » %
“I would have said, ‘Kevin, I've
got atonof moneyand I'veknown
you for a long time. What do you
a player raising his GPA, better
ing his test scores or positioning
himself to obtain a better schol
arship at the NCAA’s highest
level. We were blessed to have a
fine individual tutorial
programheaded by caring facul
ty members to help with their
academics. We also had proven
SAT and ACT workshops. Also,
because of the success we have
had on the court, our participa
tion in national holiday tourna
ments and corporate sponsor
ship, my players were going to
receive the exposure they de
served to maximize their recruit
ment opportunities.
Even with this support system
in place, I felt it necessary to
question and investigate every
camp and coach they would come
in contact with. ...
Cummings and Lee were ap
proached by all the prep-school
recruiters but, because of our
relationship, they did not accept
any invitations or overtures.
They never contemplated play
ing for anyone other than
Thomson High School.
The fact of the matter is, high
profile players will be ap
proached by other schools. In an
effort to keep them, coaches must
be schooled on the various ap
proaches.
need? Take $4 million.”
The former trainer, who de
clared bankruptey in 1992, had
demanded $49 million despite
being unable to produce a writ
ten contract with Tyson.
Rooney argued that a lifetime
contract was established by
Tyson’s mentor, the late Cus
D’Amato, when Rooney started
to work with the teen-age boxer
in 1982.
High School Foothall 1996
“LIVE" Every Friday!
Date Schools Times
Oct. 4 Augusta Christian @ Curtis Baptist 8:00 PM
Oct.ll Swainshorovs. Westside (QARC) 7:30 PM
Oct.lß Westside @ T.W.Josey 1:30 PM
Oct. 22 Aiken @ North Augusta 8:00 PM
Nov.l Hephzibah @ Glenn Hills 1:30 PM
Nov.B Lucylaneyvs.TW.Josey (@ ARC) 130 PM
Nov.lo South East Macon @ Butler 130 PM
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October 3, 1996
13