The headline of this entry is something I reiterate to my players each and every day. Get better in the classroom, on the court and in their social life. Become a better parent (yes, I have a couple of players with kids). I also tell them to be better sons to their parents.
No I’m not trying to get all “preachy” with you, the loyal reader of Container Diaries. I am just stating how I believe things can get better if you make the effort, striving to improve your current situation.
I received a great comment today on the blog from a good friend from way back in the day. We used to play basketball together and sit around talking hoops. Here is the comment if you missed it.
Just found out about your blog. It is the best thing on the web! What a tremendous forum you are providing for people to celebrate their Windsor Terrace roots. Just know that Chris Johnson, Terry Greene, Kevin O’Donnell and myself think about you often, and we are so happy that you followed and achieved your basketball dreams. Not many people take the thing they love to do and make it their life’s work. You did, and that is truly a great achievement. (We miss playing ball with you as well!)
This entry has nothing to do with how far I have come in life – it’s about inspiring someone who is reading. It’s about encouraging someone who may need a lift. Someone who may feel like they are on the verge of doing something that may make a positive impact on their future – regardless their age.
Going to school was mine.
Most know my situation back in the neighborhood about going to school – I hated it. (That’s for another blog entry)
After I met my wife, it all changed. She encouraged me to go back. I did and it was the best move ever! Sure it was scary. Being in a classroom with kids I was 15 years older than. Ouch!
The day I walked up to the stage at Central Michigan University in May of 2003 and received my college diploma was the second proudest moment of my life (the first Taylor being born).
If you feel like going back to school, go ahead! Take the step. Stop holding back. Start off with a class or two.
Thinking about switching professions – feel like you are in a ‘nowhere’ situation? No chance for advancement?
Get out!
Take the risk…it’ll be worth it.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
-SF
Hoops135@hotmail.com
Steve,
You were in the 21 year program and I was in the 25. I graduated at age 43 with my degree. My biggest fear was my last class that I would be older than the teacher or be mistaken for him.. I went on for my MS and earned it 18 months later.. You are right on target with everything you said. I just wanted to add an internet class is a great way to start if you work erratic hours or you are a stay home mom (or dad) .. Taking classes you like make it easier as well. When I went back, I had already completed most of my business credits and got to take film, history, and sociology and they were great.. I wish I had taken liberal arts first before I declared a major becuase there is alot to explore out there…
Great blog, Steve!
Jimmy,
Thanks a lot. I got the degree at 39, what an experience. Internet classes are a great way to go – good call. But there’s nothing like sitting in a lecture hall listening to a good professor speak on his topic.
I enjoyed the interaction with the professor and classmates. It’s amazing what one can learn when they open their eyes and begin the education journey.
I agree about the interraction aspect. But when I went back to school after 14 years, I was a little apprehensive as to whether I could handle that and worlomg full time and teaching drivers ed part time.When I went to Empire State College, I had instructors that I dealt with one on one via phone and email and it gave me confidence for when I went back to the classroom.
Sometimes, I think we should work when we are young kids and go to school when we are older!
Steve,
I really love the positive approach that you take to this subject. Striving to get better every day is a great philosophy to have & to teach and it is something we should all try to do every day.
I think it’s amazing that both you and Jim went back to get the sheepskin at an older age. That shows a great amount of character and it is also a testament to the lessons learned at a young age. There is no doubt that all of the tools and talents were in place. They just needed the right motivation or muse to bring them out. Thinking about it in sports terms, how often have you seen a very good player flounder when playing for the wrong coach or in the wrong system? Sometimes a simple change of venue is all that is needed for one to experience a higher level of success.
The motto of my alma mater (Iona College) is Certa Bonum Certamen; Fight the Good Fight. It is something that I try to do every day.
Jerry,
I am fighting tht good fight and sometimes not so good fight at work every day.. I’ll tell ya about it when we grab luch or a brew! Thank God I like the people I work with and my job to some degree..
I was a jock and when I hurt my arm and could’nt pitch, I wanted to work. My dad made me go to school and I wenat about it half assed and went for business. I should have considered a double major and considered teaching and coaching but teaching in 1978 was not a good paying profession. Steve, that is why we are happy for you with a little twinge of jealousy, you have a craeer that all of us would love to do or at least try. I should have looked at the big picture. I have told my kids since day to find a career in what you like regardless of the money. My daughter is pursing advrtising and my son is working and looking at trade schools/careers. Somply put.. ya gotta go for what ya like and if ya can’t get it, go for the next best thing!!
Jimmy,
Business is definitely tough all around town. When things get crazy here, it is my relationship with my editors and publishers that keeps me going. I understand what you are saying about your effort after the athletics were removed. In-season I was always much more focused and did a better job keeping things tightly wired. Out of season was another story. I tended to relax and not push myself as hard. I was definitely reactive as opposed to being pro-active. That is definitely something I’d change if I had the opportunity to do it all over again.
I have give my daughter the same advise that you have given your kids, find something you like, anything and go for it.
I too considered the path of being a teacher and coach. But, like you I looked at the financial side of the equation and thought that it was not a good paying profession and therefore passed on the idea. Looking back, that may have been a much more personally fulfilling path to follow. FYI, I’ve always said that if I hit the lottery I’d get a teaching certificate and coach.
JC and JV,
Good stuff – hitting the lottery, wow!
As for giving advice to the young children – being a coach people always ask me if Taylor plays basketball and I always say, ‘no’. My kid does what she enjoys; reading, writing and acting. We never push her, we encourage and give her strength.
I would love to hear from other readers on their experience about attending school and doing what they love. There is a great book I picked up a couple of years ago, the author’s name is Po Bronson and he went around the country interviewing people who changed careers at middle-age. What a great read!
Let’s make one thing clear on the path I chose – my wife is a huge reason. She has worked hard over the years to allow me to attend college and pursue a profession which is very difficult and very competitive. She has also been an incredible mother to Taylor.
Steve, you wife is your muse. That is outstanding stuff.
JC,
Your vocab is off the charts! Must be that Gael education…
Steve:
I think it is a great thing that you are encouraging our peers to go back and get the degree. It is something I always stress to our friends as well. It is never too late, plus the journey on the way to the degree is very satisfying.
Sometimes, the light goes on for us at different times. Like a lot of the people on this post, I went back to school at night. Received my undergraduate degree at 30. After that, I used to walk by Brooklyn Law School and I would see its front door as the golden door of opportunity. I was in awe of the place they way some people look at the exhibits at the baseball hall of fame. But I knew I had to get in that door, the same way you knew you had to get your degree.
When I got accepted, I was happier than if I got a chance to play in the same backcourt as Clyde Frazier.
My first day at law school, I literally pinched myself to ensure I was really there. I garduated in 2001, and have been practicing law for seven years.
Like you, Steve, the point isn’t about me, its about encouraging our peers to never think its too late to get their education.
We all walked the same streets, drank the same beer, and played in the same school yards. I want people to look at me and say “If he can do it I can do it.” Towards that end, if anyone on this blog has any questions on applying to law school or what they should expect in pursuing a career in law, they should feel free to contact me through this blog. I would be honored to help.
Al
Steve,
I gotta agree with you about the wives.. mine encouraged and pushed.. she did not understand that I read during my commute and luch breaks.. Now whenver I do something dumb, she says,”Masters Degree?”..
Behind every accomplished man is a suprised woman!!
Congrats Al on becomign a alwyer.. how many years did it take you? How old were ya when you started?
Jimmy:
In NY, it takes three years going full time to get a law degree. If you go at night, it takes four years. I went at night. Started at age 31, finished at 35. Jimmy, the age does not matter, I had classmates 25-30 years older than me.
When some people I would encourage would say “Four years, that’s to long!” I would try to convey to them that God willing, four years from now, you will still be among us. Why not have a law degree when that time comes?
It’s like taking the F train. You get on at 15th Street, six stops later will be Jay Street. You start law school, before you know it, you will be finished and you will have your law degree. You will reach the end of your journey, and trust me, as time goes on, it will feel as fast as taking the F train to Jay Street.
Let me know if you are thinking about doing it.
Al
Al,
At this point it is just a thought. My area is now merged with the bank’s trust department. Their staff mostly have legal backgrounds in trust and estate law which I find interesting.
But I am 48 and my kds are going to be 20 and 21, I can reture from the abnk at 58 and work part time for a couple of years.. It is something to consider.. I also thought about teaching when we had layoffs a couple of years back.
Al,
Great stuff – but I’ll take being in the same backcourt with Clyde anyday! Just kidding of course.
Great story – very inspiring (maybe I should give up coaching and look into law school?) 4 years is nothing – I have found people who use time as an excuse is someone who will never succeed at anything.
Great insight – thanks for sharing.
I miss seeing you and talking hoops – think the last time I saw you was in Barnes and Nobles (4 years ago LOL)
I may make it back in August, let’s hook for a day’s worth of conversation and some java!
Steve:
Would love to hook up if you come back in August. If its on a Saturday in the day, we can visit Chris Johnson at the 12st street bar, he works the day shift. Coffee, soda readily available. Lots of NBA to discuss.
Al
I will try and make it happen…