Tom Newell At Large

Pete Newell, The Teacher, The Coach, The Mentor, My Friend and Father…

Tom — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:42:01 GMT

(and grandfather and great-grandfather)

It isn’t everyday that you lose someone with all the aforementions above in ONE day…unexpectedly…I am so happy that last Saturday, November 15^th, I placed a call to Papasan (my reverent address to him as he was well known in Japanese Basketball Circles as ‘Petersan’)…Keep in mind, please, that NO ONE ever calls Pete Newell during a live broadcast of a football game, baseball game, basketball game and/or Horse Race, especially if the Kentucky Derby had the horses in the paddock area for viewing…I didn’t call during live action, rather I learned many many years ago, that “if” you wanted to speak to Coach, Pete, Papasan, Mr. Newell, you better have a very good reason OR during a Timeout…He hated Timeouts! So, remembering this was the day that Cal was playing the Beavers of Oregon State University, and it was also being televised live in the Northwest, I figured I had a great chance to “catch” him in the 4^th Qtr. when there was a critical timeout and at least 2mins. were to be exchanged in conversation…I was perfect on my timing…As the Official raised his hands in motion signaling the TO, I had already begun my dialup…Why the 4^th Qtr.? There weren’t any other games on until later, which meant that he would have the commercial distraction to disregard OR my call…

Rog (my wonderful caregiving brother under me) answered the phone and said ‘just a minute’, and handed the phone off to Papasan…”Hello…tommy?” Hey Papasan…how are you? The Bears are hanging in there aren’t they? PN: “I like this quarterback kid…can’t remember his name, but he has real courage out there when he steps back to pass…” TN: “So how are you doing?” PN: coughs a little and replies “Not so good…I have to go to the Drs. on Monday and they’re going to check to see what’s wrong…I have difficulty breathing right now, lots of stuff in my chest…” TN: “Are you staying warm?” PN: “oh yes, Roger has been really good taking care of me, Pete ah, Greg, ah Roger, ah dammit, tommy…” (It was here that I KNEW he was okay as that is the same exchange that’s been a staple of conversation over the last 50 years... my 3 brothers names and then remembering me…and he did that with all of us…)

I knew that I had at least half a minute before the commercial was over (watching my own screen) and it was here that I told him about Chris, his Grandson, being the new Boys Freshman Basketball Coach at Eastside Catholic High School…he was so excited and elated to hear about that…PN: “that’s great, tommy, he’s going to be a great teacher and coach someday, you watch…he really listens well and studies the game…I am happy you told me this…” TN: “how did you like hearing about Ashleigh bringing you another Great Grandchild?”…PN: “oh, that’s wonderful…please tell her I am so happy for her…how is she doing? How’s my Paige doing?” TN: “both are doing well and ask about you all the time, hoping your feeling better and taking care of yourself…” PN: “tell them I don’t move so quick anymore but I can laugh…How’s Elaine? TN: told him she was well and was asking about him as well and hoping he was taking care of himself…PN: “Rog has been a godsend, tommy, he has done so much for me…I have not been sleeping very well at night and he’s always right there for me…he really has taken unbelievable care of me…be sure you and your brothers understand that…” TN: “ I know, Papasan, I know, and he has done an incredible service to keep you healthy and well these last several years…” PN: ‘yes he has…yes he has’…

The game comes on, 8 mins. to go, Cal down 27-21 with Cal having possession…he tells me: “I think Cal is going to go down the field now and score…I feel they can do it with this quarterback (he couldn’t remember his name, I told him ‘Reilly’)…it was here that I wanted to stop, one because his voice was tailing and two, it was LIVE action now, and that means the timeout is over and I need to finish the dialogue…TN:”okay Papasan, great to visit with you, take care of yourself, stay warm, I’ll call you on Monday and check in…I love you very much…PN:”okay tommy, I love you too, tell everyone there I love them also…take care, talk to you next week…”…Boy was that a PROFOUND closing comment: “take care, talk to you next week…”…Did he ever, read on…

Pete Newell passed away on Monday, November 17, 2008, approximately at 10:45am unexpectedly and without a doubt the “way” he would want to leave his incredible “ride” of 93 years…He told Earl Shultz, former player, as he sat in his favorite chair at Earl’s house in San Diego, “I’ll just take a little nap right now before Jerry (West) arrives…”…he closed his eyes and expired…quietly, no pain and suffering…his terms…no live games on TV, no timeouts, no nurses, doctors, examinations, phone calls, doorbells, awakenings, reminders, bathroom visits, changing clothes or having to eat when not feeling up to it…no, Pete, Papasan, Coach Newell, Mr. Newell took a deep breath and relaxed during live action…Wow…

Has he EVER talked to me this week!! The outpouring of love, kindness and respect by former players, camp players, coaches (globally), friends and relatives, has been the most humbling and remarkable experience I have ever witnessed in my life…Did he ever mean to “take care, talk to you next week…”…Whew…The emails, calls, voice mails, text messages and flowers have been so kind, I can’t begin to describe the surreal feeling that has overtaken me the last 48hrs…As an example, Derrick McKey, former Sonic and Pacers player, and Big Man Camp participant, called me out of the blue, 3 hours after Papasan passed away, telling me how sorry he was to hear about “your father, and how he helped me like you did also, tom…I just wanted you to know I was thinking of Coach and how many players he helped in their careers…”… Part sympathy? Part reflection? No, not now, this was from his heart, as it was with the 300 hundred other calls and emails and messages I received…Did he ever “talk to you next week…”, the voice inflections here, transcends any phonics recognition of foreign accents and email narratives, all identifying in their own selfless grief of losing a friend, a confidante, a mentor, a coach and especially their teacher…Have I been down? Most definitely…am I hurting? Not so much hurting as much as I feel like a bowling ball has been dropped on my tummy after I exhaled while laying down…The void is not so much a blank stare or a listless emotion, rather, it is a numbing sensation, kinda like when I went to my first overnight camp during the summer and saying goodbye for the first time to my Dad and Mom, scared worse than a King Kong mask on a tall kid visiting the same porch for Trick or Treat on any Halloween back in the early childhood days…Yes, a sensation that vacillates between a teargate and ego-posture, but in the end, so weak and sad for the moment, yet relieved that he is not suffering any more, although he wouldn’t 'fess up to that completely…Summary: I’m getting better, stronger each hour…

Shout outs to the community at large…basketball community that is…I can’t thank Earl and Karen Shultz enough for their undying love and affection for Papasan since the day Earl graduated from Cal back in ’61…he and Karen adopted Papasan into their lives and Rancho Sante Fe in the year 2000…They found the perfect Townhouse, setting and of course Del Mar being 10 mins. away, made the decision really easy when one researches “how” he ended up there…Earl Shultz was one of those unspoken and unheralded players that was often mentioned about the Cal Bears Finalists years at the NCAAs…he was by far one of the BEST defensive guards I have ever seen in basketball, and inspired me later when I played shooting guard in college and loved guarding the other team’s best guard…He was NEVER intimidated by any opponent, especially a Bruin or Trojan! Thank you Earl, Karen and Bob Wueste for your love and care of Pete…

Roger: whew…you will never hear about Rog’s divine interventions (middle of night episodes with Papasan), sacrifices and of course overall caregiving extraordinaire skills when being Papasan’s Shepherd these last several years…Thank you Rog for your love of Dad, thank you for the many personal sacrifices you made to take care of him, from Drs. appointments, the store shopping, his every beckoned call, and of course his “social schedule” and calendar, I’m sure one that rivaled any sitting-elect President…No, you are the ultimate Team Player, the Captain who listened and stayed close to the action daily, the one who chose to sacrifice his personal well being for that of his father’s…and made him so proud and humble for this love and devotion…YOU, are the hero here, Rog, and I thank you so much for keeping him on his “ride” all this time…

Cousin Yoli and Ken McKenzie…Papasan’s spiritual partners on Sundays and breakfast companions afterwards…Gosh he really looked forward to Mass and the visits with you and your Family after Church…thank you so much for “being there” also, extending your Family’s love and kindness to Uncle Pete…he loved all of the Villars (Papasan’s sister, Catherine’s family name) very much and of course the attention and kisses from your children…

To Pete Jr. …Pete was a wonderful joy to his father, celebrating with him his induction into the California High School Basketball Hall of Fame several years ago…I remember Papasan telling me about it, not once, not twice, but several times over, he was so proud of Pete’s accomplishments at Santa Cruz High School…Pete painstakingly took time away from his profession as a High School teacher to be with Papasan when he was recovering from his 2005 surgery, and between he and Roger and the late Stu Inman (former San Jose State Men’s coach and long time NBA Executive), Papasan was able to recover beyond the expectations of conventional medical wisdom: “no one in their late 80’s, losing 70% of one lung can expect to live very long after...”…Wrong…they forgot, he had a Big Man’s Camp coming up in the summer several months away and had to get ready for it…and he did…Thanks Pete for being there to help Rog when he needed relief and assistance…you too, made Papasan so proud with your success and the fact that you were able to take his idea of a Tall Woman’s Camp and implement this program with Bill McClintock…that was a great feat in itself…as well as taking over the Big Man’s Camp as Court Director…

To my Brother Greg: he was so happy for your children’s activities, from show horses by Taylor to jumpers by Peter…you made him so proud of their accomplishments and future successes…he also was extremely happy to receive your letters of late, and how happy you were at this time in your life…reuniting with your children, being an integral part of Peter’s education at Glendale Community College…Yes, he would tell me about your letters and share what was going on with Peter and Taylor…thank you for staying so close to Papasan…he knew now his ‘ride’ was about over, on his terms, everything in place…

To ALL those Angels-in-disguise out there, and you know who I am talking about: former players, acquaintances, Doctors, scribes, ADs, coaches, current players, NBAers, foreign acquaintances, nurses, waiters, hostesses, owners, horse enthusiasts, friends, relatives, trainers, whomever I have forgotten, thank you thank you thank you, for your love and support during the most difficult time of his life when our late Mother, Florence , passed away 24 years ago last month…You have no idea how important your roles were when his “ride” came to a complete halt, and he went into a deep, saddening moment that as a son, I had never witnessed before in my life…Your phone calls, your visits, your schedules to include him on your trips, all of these made the difference in Papasan “getting off the ride” or continuing…Obviously, he continued, and we were all blessed for his extended journeys…He only made 5 videos and co-wrote 6 books at that time, plus a number of appearances all around the country…yes, YOU ALL had a hand in Pete’s survival at that pivotal point in his life…Thank you so much…

Finally, I would welcome any and all testimonials from one’s personal experience(s) with Papasan, Pete, Coach, Mr. Newell as I will be putting together a compilation of all for publishing later…thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences at this time…tom newell

Editor's note: Thanksgiving week there will be a Private Funeral for the family. In addition, there will be a Memorial Celebration for Pete Newell at Loyola Marymount University in LA, at Shaker Heart Cathedral on Monday, December 15^th, Open to the Public. Stay tuned for details.

To all Family friends and former co-workers and teammates...

Tom — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:59:46 GMT

thank you so much for your kind, caring thoughts and comments at this time...I've lost a great friend, mentor and father now, and this whole experience has been undeniably a most humbling event...His influence on teaching the game and keeping it simple for players and coaches at all levels is the mantra that will always be associated with his contributions to the game...I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate the time and love he shared with you as a Coach, Player, Parent and Fan in the greatest Team Sport the world has ever witnessed...On behalf of the brothers Newell, keep it simple, praise the effort always in your kids play, and always teach the difference between a "good habit" vs. a "bad habit"...Sincerely, tom newell

Our thoughts go out to the entire Newell Family…

FSLT Staff — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:15:00 GMT

...with the loss of Pete Newell today.

Please leave your thoughts and best wishes for Tom and his family in the comments.

- Jay and Guy
FamilySportsLifeToday.com

"Still Crazy After All of these Years..."

Tom — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:04:56 GMT

August 3, 2008...Paul Simon made this recording a well-hummed tune for many many years...And I still hum it on my "arrival" date and even some days and months before my first cry...

Okay, where and what has ol tommyboy been up to of late? Well for starters, I just finished the Seattle Parks Best Effort/HopeHeart Institute camps for kids...We had close to 1,000 kids, ages 7-14 (with very very few 13-14 year olds in attendance: DANGER!!)...The kids were terrific, the help I had was terrific, having Greg George and Greg Peters from Northwest University help me for the last 5 weeks...They both are tall and imposing "teddy bears", trust me...GGeorge is 6'10 and GPeters is 6'8...They were positive models to the kids each day...I have been really blessed over the last few years to have such wonderful "models to follow" with our Best Effort Camps..

This week we're doing the Best Effort program at the Tukwila Parks Community Center and then over to the Renton Parks Center in the afternoon...Coach June Daugherty is representing the HopeHeart Institute in these two programs and I will be reppin the Best Effort model...June is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE people in basketball...She loves the game, the players and kids who also love basketball...We have been close friends for a long long time, and together with her husband, Mike, I think they'll turn the program around over there on the Palouse...She suffered a Heart Attack last Spring and recovered, but it was a touch and go situation for sure...HopeHeart Institute of Seattle is a non-profit organization and they have been a terrific partner this summer in our camps...The packets that Laura Suter put together for the kids on the last day has been the true highlight for the camp experience...They provide info on proper nutrition and exercise for BOTH Parents and their children...I am really happy to have met Greg Ritter, Executive President of this organization and his able-ready-to-help staff...What a TEAM they have...Wow!!

Okay, so I leave after a short and sweet update...will be blogging again from Houston as I leave on Wednesday to train several NBA players for a week...Then I come home or arrive in Portland for our oldest daughter's, Ashleigh's, wedding...Yikes...NOW I really KNOW I am getting old...Our oldest getting married to a terrific fella, Brian Fortune...he too is a graduate of Linfield College...works as a Real Estate Executive in Hillsboro...Has a nice jump shot too to go along with his overall Men's League Game...I "scouted" him out folks, you know, that's why they call me "Tonto"...Take care, drive safely, wear your bicycle helmets when ridin the streets ANYWHERE!! Lots of love, Coach tom

Notes on a Scorecard...if anybody is keeping "score"....

Tom — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:12:25 GMT

July 4th, 2008...Happy 4th to all...I hope you're day is safe and filled with the essence of an alder-smoked rib or steak that made you enjoy the weekend...Me? Well, let's see...the Karma gods or gremlins "blessed" me with a GREAT start last night to the long weekend...I gotta call from my son, Chris (Bo), informing me that our car was stopped at Exit 49/Castle Rock off I-5 with a V-belt in shreds...Hmmmm, I said to myself, this is sounding like a baadddd start to a nice weekend...He and his Mother, my wife, Elaine, were returning from visiting our daughter, Ashleigh and her son, Carter and his father, Brian...Everything was "onkee doree" and that of course is what I call the "Beach Warning...be careful!!"...Needless to say, I ended up driving down I-5 to pick them up and return them to home...the car of course being towed back to Longview, awaiting the fateful return of a certified mortician-mechanic to begin his assessment of the damage done...I got a chance to "look" at the car before we returned to Seattle...Fortunately, there wasn't any collateral damage to the rest of the engine (as I could see "it": radiator damage, hose connections, oil residues), so, in one sense, I was relieved...Now, I'm trying to figure out how to get back down there next week and pick it up...plus, this really puts a cramp in my plans, as our Best Effort Camps begin in Seattle next week for the next 5 weekdays straight...Somehow, I figure there's a "reason" for this latest experience, so it probably means I'm about to meet someone new, or learn a new lesson along the way...but...I gotta tell you: it ain't a whole lotta fun drivin the corridor between here and PDX...

Okay, on to another memory link from this week: The beleaguered Sonics and the demise of political figureheads as sports enthusiasts...I read with great interest and intrigued, the commentary by Jerry "Heizah" Brewer and Stevie "FullofWonder" Kelly...Man, those two Cats were clinical pathologists in another life, trust me, 'cause their "reads and writes" were some of the best reflections I've read in a long long time on the Sonics issues...

Am I sad? Am I indifferent? Am I disappointed? Am I pizzed off? Am I depressed? Am I angry? Am I ambivalent? Am I ______? Well, let me tell you my true thoughts on this subject...After being in the NBA as a Front Office executive (Pacers Director of Player Personnel/Asst. GM '84-86), Asst. Coach on the bench in Seattle ('86-'90), New Jersey Nets ('90-92) and the Dallas Mavericks ('93-94), I learned this much about the NBA: it's truly a BUSINESS ONLY, there is no allegiance to fans in the stands...UNLESS you're the Lakers, Celtics and Knicks...I mean, really, did you ever think that being in the Far NW, that NYC would be interested in "what" the paying fans felt (not the corporate entities who STOPPED supporting the retention of suites and sponsorships) ...I mean, afterall, that the NBA is FANtastic, 'cause Dyan Cannon tells me so....ooops that was in the late '80's...Then of course when the Celtics finally broke down and introduced Ladies with Bodies Dance Corps to rival the team (keep in mind, THIER record was one of the 3 worst in the League over the last 10 years!!!), Uncle Red Auerbach couldn't take it anymore and ASKED to "get me outta here....now....what's this league comin too?"...and HIS wish was granted...As for the Sonics faithful, I have a poem for you, an Ode to the Sonics so to speak, that perhaps will reflect upon the past and remind one of the future when it comes to sports...

An Ode to the Sonics Past

The Team was introduced to the Northwest as an Expansion...

Little did anyone know that over 40 years later...

It would become a "relocation"...

The Sonics became a treat and a favor...

For many diehard fans who needed pro sports beyond television...

Embracing future Legends as adopted children in an everchanging NW culture...

It was only when Sir Lenny became Head Coach that the Sonics would complete their mission...

Only to lose the status and confidence of many as a Team contending for renowned "stature"...

Oh how I revel in my reflections of the many practices and games that filled my daily life as a Sonic...

From Xman, Dale, Nate and Tommy to the arrival of Shawn Kemp and the success of George Karl...

And yet, upon reflections, I see now that those memories and respect is no more than Historic...

You see, my friends, fans and former players, your life was a void, filled with minutes of joy and angst...

From "sweet" 3s by Ellis to the steals by The Glove and the slams by the Reign Man...

No one, and I mean no one can ever take away the heart and soul of the modern Sonics team...

The voice of Kevin Calabro, his resonant reminders of spectacular plays as smooth as Lake Chelan...

And yet, we ALL feel betrayed, abandoned, disjointed from the rest of the basketball world and dream...

No more Rookies to assess...no more Free Agents to critique...no more Squatch...no more no more...

Do we rise up and speak our peace? Do we take up arms (sans High Fives) and demonstrate against this reality...?

Or do we learn from this lesson in life when it comes to sports: "in the end...it's not about the outcome or score..."

It has everything to do with money, money, money, money...and in that realization you will always find mortality...

I thank the Sonics and the many players and friendships I've made over the years when we moved here many years ago...

And I will always hold high the notion and heartfelt love and experience that we were ONE...Team and Fans...Thank you!!

Okay, enuff of that sentimental stuff...shoot, next I'll be eatin Quiche or something fluffy like that!!

I've been busy, and it seems I'll be busier than a worker bee lookin for a new hive...I hope my New Balance sponsorship over the last 5 years will continue to support our community service endeavors this summer...I received an email 3 weeks ago telling me that "we have re-structured our model and we are pulling back from branding and community oriented programs such as yours...this due in part to the economic issues that have affected the National economy today..."...Hmmmm, by my account, I'd say MORE people are going to be BUYING more tennies than NOT when you see the Gas prices going up each week...Shucks, one can get at least 5 thousand miles on a pair of NB Cross Trainers walkin to work, no?? Anyway, wasn't expecting "that" email notice and now I gotst to scramble and figure out how we're going to finish strong and positive to the end of our camps...

I've missed YOU ALL and my fingertouches on the laptop, and it seems that you have also, as there have been many readers who have emailed me and wondered if I was "ever" going to write again...I apologize...It's true: "absence makes the heart (for writing) grow fonder..."...So, let's see if my inspiration towards your desire to read my rants and what nots on a Scorecard will continue more regularly than recent non-posts...

Take care, hope y'all are having a GREAT SUMMER...Big Shoutout to Kristen O'Neil!! Booohlyah!! She just signed with the Storm and let me tell you: she has a "MOTOR" for the game and will bring a special presence to this team before the season ends...I've had the pleasure of being a teacher in her later basketball career at the UW and Euro league to work with her on her game...She works harder than ANY female player I've ever worked with, and that includes Jackie Stiles, who at the time was off the charts when I was an Asst. coach with the Portland Fire, WNBA, '02...She can play 3 positions defensively and offensively, not afraid of ANY matchup assignment and role that Coach Brian Agler dictates...If you haven't checked out this year's team, do so...they have one of the best coaches in basketball in Brian Agler, and the collection of talent on this team this season, if healthy to the end, have a chance to do something that NO OTHER Pro team has ever done in Seattle: WIN TWO Championships!!! Go Storm!! All the Best, God Bless, Coach tom

My "expectations" were certainly "revelations" when it was all said and done..."

Tom — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:05:12 GMT

Postscript from Parent Symposium May 31st, UW Hec Ed Assembly room...

First off, I want to humbly thank each panelist who joined in our program last Saturday...I know how each coach made the necessary sacrifices from Family, work and "day off" to accept my invitation to be a part of this uniquely arranged forum...I can't begin to tell you how impressive it was to those in attendance and online viewing our livestream program for 3 and a half hours...Wow!! The parents and kids in attendance all gained invaluable information that will help families understand intercollegiate recruiting and the process of same, now and in the immediate future...For that alone, I am so happy we were fortunate enough to have the support from the coaches, the UW Athletics Department, Athletics Directors from Seattle U, and Seattle Pacific University, including Stan Morrison, AD at the University of California, Riverside, who, along with his Staff members, went online to watch and listen in on our program...Thank you...

The most thought provoking result from this event was the fact that parents and kids still DO NOT ACCESS the free website www.ncaa.org to seek the necessary information that will enlighten their knowledge-base (or not) on the subject of requirements and eligibility rules for becoming an NCAA Student Athlete today...I certainly hope that in the future, the audience, both online and in attendance will share the information and encourage their friends and other family members to log on to the NCAA website and from there carefully assess the values and traditions that have been established for many many years by this organization...

Okay, if you really "want" to know how it went, what was said and presented as advisory reminders, then I suggest you check in with our Home Page to see when we will have the symposium online for your observations...

Again, thank you parents and kids for taking the time out of your schedules to be a part of this program...Your questions and interests in learning from our panelists for the benefit of your child(ren) is complimented well from our end...This just means that we need to do a better job of getting MORE parents, kids and coaches "tuned in" to this model/template of information today, meaning stay tuned...we'll do this again next Spring...Coach tom

Fairbanks, Alaska...Land of the Midnight Sun...

Tom — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:37:00 GMT

Monday afternoon...day after camp...

Okay, so this much I know: I'm intrigued by the travel opportunities that basketball has provided me on my journeys...I mean, I was in China in January, Vladivostok, Russia in February and now Fairbanks, Alaska in June...Wow...

I am here assisting a former Sonics player who is a very close friend of mine, Clemon Johnson...We've known one another through our association with the Sonics back in the day when I was an Assistant Coach on the bench with Bernie Bickerstaff ('86-'90)...Clemon is one of those uniquely talented ex-players, who has quietly gone about gaining the necessary experience and understanding as a basketball coach by taking himself to the "Top of the World", Fairbanks, Alaska, as Head Men's Basketball Coach of U of A, Fairbanks...

This will be Clemon's 2nd season in Fairbanks, and he is as excited as a proud Papa awaiting the "birth" of his 2 child in 5 months...He will have 8 new players on his squad, his recruits, and return only 3 lettermen from the season before...

Why am I here? Right now, we've just completed the Position Camp for the last 3 days on campus, and it went very well...We had around 16-17 players, boys, ages 13-17 and varied level of skills...some terrific, some not-so-good, but all possessing a willingness to want to be taught and learn something new about how to improve their skills and game...I am blessed because when we're on the court, the kids really come to life, eager to execute properly and most definitely getting "stronger" when they miss layups...That's because Coach Newell has a rule: "You miss your layups with no defender on you...What happens when you play in a game WITH a defender?...Right, you miss it worse!!"...The "reminders" I use to help them focus better on this mis-skill: pushups...5 for each layup missed...Yesterday, lil Oba, all 5'4" of him missed 8 layups during our drills...I slide up to him and ask him: "Oba, how many pushups do you have to do today?...He goes "I've got 40 coach and COUNTING..."...So I told him he has 2 hours to do his layups and he smiles a relief of salvation from having to do them all right then and there...So fast forward here, we're 5 mins. away from practice being over and we're finishing up and come together as a team and break...Oba comes up to me and thanks me for helping him and I acknowledge his gratitude and tell him to be sure to get his rest tonight...He said he will "after" he gets through doing his pushups: now it's over 60!! I tell him that he worked very hard today and that his effort more than made up for his missed layups, BUT he must work very hard NOT to miss as many tomorrow as he did today...He's so excited, one, because he doesn't have to do the pushups, and, two, because he knows that this ol coach "likes" him as a player, even though the ball is bigger than his face and an Alaskan Hound is longer than he is on all fours!! I love Summer Basketball Camps...the kids are wonderfully bright and excited for the daily event and usually there are 3-4 kids that just stand out in their personalities and application...They're usually the "Lil Caboose" that can't make it up the Hill who end up reminding me why I love to teach this game...Their eyes and eagerness to learn far surpass any disappointments and distractions the older players may cause me, because the lil fellers are trying so hard to do the drills the right way...God love them...what a treat to teach!!

Monday, June 9th...afternoon...Team Camp begins in 3 hours...looking forward to seeing the "talent" up here...Shucks, if I were a high school player playing soccer, basketball, football and/or baseball, I guarantee you I'd be outside until midnight every night playing, practicing, etc....I mean, think about it: outdoors with the sun shining until 1 in the morning!!?? YOU HAVE TO LOVE THAT ENVIRONMENT, and I would imagine that I'll be seeing some interesting play over the course of the week...Stay tooned, I'll fill y'all in the observations...Coach tom

Update: The local newspaper had a story announcing the clincs at http://newsminer.com/news/2008/jun/10/newell-slates-hoops-camp-all-coaches/.

Panelists Announced for Discussion on Intercollegiate Recruiting

Tom — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:26:56 GMT

Our symposium, "Expectations with Revelations: An Insight into the Process of Intercollegiate Recruiting" will be held Saturday May 31, 2008, in the Assembly Room of Hec Ed Pavilion at the University of Washington. Directions are here.

Registration begins at 12 noon and the program runs from 12:30 to 3:30 PM.

Representatives from the following programs are scheduled to participate in a panel discussion and answer questions on the subject of identifying prospects and how the process begins towards recruiting a high school student athlete.

University of Washington: Leslie Tuiasusopo, Volleyball; Paul Fortier, Men’s Basketball; Loree Payne, Women’s Basketball
Seattle Pacific University: Jeff Hironaka, Men’s Basketball
Seattle University: Joe Callero, Men’s Basketball; Dan Kriley, Women’s Basketball
Northwest University (Kirkland): John Van ***, Men’s Basketball
University of Nebraska: Sunny Smallwood, Women’s Basketball
Eastern Washington University: Cheryl Sorenson, Women’s Basketball
St. Martin’s: Keith Cooper, Men’s Basketball
Bellevue Community College: Coach Ernie Woods, retired NWAC Hall of Fame coach
Coach John Bowers: former D-IAA College football recruiter, current Ballard High School Football Head Coach

This program is for parents and kids at the Middle School and High School levels of interscholastic sports. The symposium is FREE and refreshments will be provided.

“I attended the symposium previously and had a lot of questions on how the college application process fit with the athletic recruiting for my son. Tom and his panel of speakers did a great job of outlining the parent’s role in their child’s athletic future, what the student should realistically expect beyond high school, and how colleges approach scouting, recruiting, and scholarships,” said Pat Ulhman, whose son Ryan Roarke is a Cornell University graduate.

Donations of Food items for Northwest Harvest will be greatly appreciated and gladly accepted!

Questions will be presented to the coaches as well as parents learning about the various rules and regulations related to their children becoming NCAA Eligible for recruitment. Materials will be passed out to each family in attendance.

Parents and athletes interested in attending are encouraged to register here. Parents are invited to fill out a survey on college recruiting at www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com/survey to help us prepare for the event. You can also send your questions to familysportslifetoday@gmail.com.

For those not able to attend in person, the program will be broadcast live over the Internet at www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com/tv

"Expectations with Revelations" will be Broadcast Live

Tom — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:18:44 GMT

Our upcoming symposium, "Expectations with Revelations: An Insight into Intercollegiate Recruiting..." will be broadcast live over the Internet. People who cannot attend the event in person should go to

www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com/tv

to watch on Saturday. The program will run from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time.

If you have the latest Adobe Flash Player, you should be able to watch the video. This is a free download.

Before the symposium, parents also should fill out our survey. See www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com/survey

An Insight to the Process of Intercollegiate Recruiting

Tom — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:35:37 GMT

We're proud to announce that Family SportsLife Today is holding a FREE Symposium for Parents and Student-Athletes to be held at University of Washington on Saturday, May 31st entitled “Expectations with Revelations: an insight to the process of Intercollegiate recruiting today…”.

The event will be held at the University of Washington, Hec Ed Pavilion, Assembly Hall, Saturday, May 31, 2008, from 12:00 -3:30pm. Middle School and High School parents and their student athlete children are invited to this FREE program. Pre-registration is encouraged by joining
www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com.

This program features college coaches as Panelists from various areas of intercollegiate sports. Division I, II, III, NAIA and Community College representatives will present their recruiting insights and information for parents and their student athletes on what identifies a prospect today when they evaluate a student athlete playing interscholastic sports.

The representative Universities and Colleges from the Puget Sound will include coaches from Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, St. Martin’s College, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, Northwest University, Bellevue Community College, and the host school, the University of Washington. The sports being represented in this symposium will be the following:

Men and Women’s Basketball
Volleyball (D-I, D-II)
Men and Women’s Soccer
Football (D-I, D-II)
Track and Field
Fast pitch Softball

Also featured in this extraordinary program are former intercollegiate student athletes from the various levels of intercollegiate athletics and their respective sports. Certified professionals from Strength and Conditioning training programs will also provide information for parents and student athletes.

Topics will cover:

Identifying a student athlete “prospect” today. Where and when are they first discovered?
The “first” contact: is the beginning of “expectations”?
The Parent’s role in supporting their student athlete today in middle school and high school sports.
How a Parent can best prepare for understanding the eligibility related to NCAA Clearinghouse rules and regulations today.
Important information and dates to remember.
Core subjects that are pre-requisites for eligibility standards per NCAA Clearinghouse rules.
Select Team programs: does it help to be on a “Select” team today or not?
What age should individual training, such as Strength and Conditioning programs be initiated?
Sports Nutrition and your student athlete today. The importance of eating well and staying healthy.

The program is FREE to the Public. The program is FREE to the Public.

Refreshments will be available. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Questions for the seminar can be submitted in advance to FamilySportsLifeToday@gmail.com. Before the event, we'd like Parents to fill out a survey on college recruiting at www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com/survey.

Registration will be open from 12:00 - 12:20pm. Pre-registration is recommended at www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com . Seating is limited, so it is important to register online now for this event.

Donations of Food items for Northwest Harvest will be greatly appreciated and gladly accepted!

This is the third program of its kind. The inaugural program began in 2001 at Seattle Pacific University and was widely acclaimed by all parents in attendance at that time. The second program was hosted on the campus at Hec Ed Pavilion two years ago, and all parents in attendance came away with a better understanding of what college coaches think when they identify a “prospect” for their sports programs.

"Oh the thrill to play in April..."

Tom — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:15:00 GMT

April 6, 2008...Sunday afternoon...

I LOVE the Final Four...no, I LOVE college basketball in March and April as it truly defines teams' characters, courage, resiliency, hope, and the ability to push through adversity, no matter what the score is...

Watching UNC's demise last night on TV, was a painful exhibition and had to take Coach Williams breakfast and lunch and make it feel like a Maytag Washer on the Bering Sea...As a Coach, you always hope and pray that your players are mentally "ready" to compete, NOT JUST PLAY, and I got the impression that Carolina was ONLY ready to play, not compete until it woke up after halftime...I mean, imagine: 40-12 during Kansas' first half run, and in between the TV's and Carolina's timeouts during this tsunami-like offensive wave by the Jayhawks, Carolina had no answer...they were just flat outplayed...WOW...WOW!!

So, what do you do as a coach or parent directly affected by such a blowout and wonderment of confusion being associated with a team that's getting blow out (and TRUST me, as a Coach, parent or friend, you WILL experience this as a spectator or bench member)? Find the Arena's engineer and ask him to "pull the plug" for 5 mins. on the scoreboard and clock...The other suggestion, would be, to a more-than-usual exhorting to the players on the court with some heavy lovin encouragement...Seriously, think about this: if I'm playing and as a team I "overhear" someone in the stands callin for the " HazMat team to come in quick 'cause there's something definitely "unknown" goin on down on the court and someone NEEDS to check it out...", and I look at the scoreboard and then to the sideline, and all I see are coaches who are noticeably "balder" than before the game started (heads down) and then my head's up observing family and friends in the stands, and they've all got that expression of "Children of the Corn" look, well, trust me, if I hear screaming and yelling of positive encouragement NO MATTER WHAT, that's enough to get me through the "storm" and pick the energy up for myself and teammates...That is what happened to Carolina towards the end of the 1st half, they got some positive "love songs" from their fans and bench and closed with confidence... That run and the 2nd half run was reminiscent of Coach Dean Smith's great Carolina teams of the past...I wasn't surprised, and would not have been in shock IF the Tar Heels pulled off the greatest comeback in Final Four history...Why? Carolina has great, no GRRRRREEEEAAAAAAT basketball tradition and legacy paving its way in all competitions related to ACC lore and NCAA Big Dance games...Anyway, it was really fun to watch the energy and competitive matchups from both teams...

UcLA...hmmmm, that game did not surprise me in the least...I am not a big "fan" of Darrin Collison and he proved me "why"...As a "lead guard", one must take the responsibility of getting your team into the offense and directing the spacing on the floor as an "extension" of the Head Coach...That is what a "lead guard's" responsibility is and always will be...Somewhere along the way, during the 2As, he missed that chapter, paragraph, discussion or email, unfortunately, because he did not rise to occasion as his teammates did...The biggest GRIPE I have today at all levels of basketball is when a Big Post has position inside with a Defender playing behind him, THEN PASS THE FREAKN BALL to him and let him go to work: QUIT DRIBBLING and dominating the ball for 15 seconds, going from one side of the court to the other...I'm sorry, I don't get that at all...The one thing that I will always remember about Magic Johnson and John Stockton is that they truly kept the offense in the "flow" and kept the game simple in the half court with their decision-making and execution...UcLA did not have a clue on spacing, angles and proper execution to get the ball into the best passer on the team, young blood Kevin Love...He is truly a remarkably gifted young student/athlete for UcLA...I love his verve, his basketball quotient is "Bird-like", his love for the game is "Magic-like" and more importantly he HAS FUN playing the game...Wow...I did however feel that his back was bothering him early on in the 1st half (mid) as he did not run the floor nor move like he normally does, and his "pained" expressions during dead ball situations were obvious signs to me that it would be a long night for Kevin and his kidneys matching up with Dorsey and company...Let me say this: I certainly hope that Kevin stays at UcLa for another season, as he is one of the most wonderful models for ANY and ALL level basketball players today UNIVERSALLY speaking, and even though he is a bona fide Pro, there is no guarantee that he would end up with a veteran-laden team that would take the pressure off of him and he would develop accordingly...Having this young man on college TV hoops next season would encourage Dads to sit and watch with their sons and daughters how simple this player makes the game with his footwork skills, passing touch, and shooting the ball facing and back to the basket....plus he's not too shabby on defense either: block shots and rebounding both ends...

Memphis is the real deal...Coach John Calipari is one of the true teachers of the game today...he learned under Larry Brown back in the day at KU, and has been a student of the game ever since...He had the short lived experience of coaching in the NBA a couple of seasons after his first Final Four appearance with Marcus Camby and UMass years ago, and I think that experience alone (NBA Nets), helped him see what a coach can do with exceptionally gifted athletes...I'm tellin you now: that team could run with a lot of current NBA teams today...yeah, that good...Their point Guard Rose? WOW!! His feel and demeanor for the game is off the charts and he will soon be spoken in the same breath with Wade, Nash, Kidd and Chris Paul, who is a remarkable lead guard today in the League...Seriously, I haven't seen a better guard (Point) in college the last two years than this young man (19 years old)...He has a chance to be one of the "future" Stars of the NBA whose illuminations and success stories have yet to be written...

I have really enjoyed being home again in our beautiful country...I am so proud to be an American and have the opportunities to represent my country through basketball, you have no idea...The China experience was a terrific stay as was the Vladivostok, Russia clinics and visit...Know this, basketball is a peaceful medium, means, and an olive branch that melds all the differences, both political and religious to a level of respect and friendships that we can all appreciate and cherish forever...And I do...

Take care, more to come this week...BIG ANNOUNCEMENT coming in two days...A "must" for Parents and their student athletes to attend...There's NOTHING LIKE THIS provided here in the NW...FREE...FREE...Coach tom

If one lives long enough...you're never surprised by anything anymore...

Tom — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:07:00 GMT

Seattle, Washington...March 23, 2OO8...

Okay, I'm over my "rants"...maybe...I think that sometimes the World is flat when I read the papers and see the stories and comments of educated people (or are they?)...When I have been to various parts of the world, teaching the game to kids, players, coaches and parents, and complete my sessions for the day, I always have been able to collect my thoughts and reflections of the day by looking up at the stars and seeing the Big Dipper, Lil Dipper and other reminders of the universe bigger than our planet...And during these quiet moments, I remind myself just how small I really am, kudos to the late Buckminster Fuller, Astrophysicist, MIT, who inspired my mortality many moons ago when I lived in Belgium, when I could get up and down a basketball court professionally...He was a Professor of notoriety at MIT, and architect (Geodesic Domes) when he saw what was happening to our planet as he knew it back in the day (early 70's), and would greet his "new" enrollees with this provocative introduction to "life" as they didn't know it at the time: "Today, we learn about the universe..."...He would pull down a white screen in his auditorium and have the lights turned out and then project a slide of the universe on the screen...He would then take a pointer and explain the mysteries that they were about to engage upon and point to a "speck" on the screen and reflect: "this is Earth...so for anyone here who thinks they are significantly important in the grand scope of their existence...you're not..."...And that is his introduction to "his" world and theirs, and he would begin his class for the semester...I have never forgotten that simple explanation to our world and the universe in general, so now whenever I pause and reflect with my eyes towards the heavens, ol Bucky Fuller comes to mind, not a jump shot that Michael Jordan hit to win a game or a Home Run by Mickey Mantle...Little did I realize that my "awakening" would carry over from one continent to another, reminding me of my quiet reflections from years past to this present moment in my life...The last two weeks have been a burden of sorts, knowing that there is a region in the world whose people are suffering for being independent, meditative and most definitely peaceful...They too look to the heavens above, reflecting, wondering why they are tormented and abused by educated literates, censored for asking people in the "free" world to hear their pleas for help and assistance...I could name the country and the small region, but knowing that my blog is monitored and that I may someday return to this large country, I think it is best to not engage in a political war of words and critique, but trust me, as an Ambassador to the world in my small but effective way, I have some unfinished work to be done there in a peaceful application, and through that model, believe that one can do more with a ball that bounces and can be shot at a basket than a "scope over"...I pray for peace, world peace, and know that this summer of sports regalia will go on, but not without a distraction or two by the world's athletes in their own way...Let us all hope that their voices, performances and competitions will acknowledge the freedom of speech and expressions in non-violent manners will hopefully do more for affecting change than the other alternatives...Had to get that off my chest tonight so I can rest peacefully...

Hope all are well who take the time to read my musings and what knots now and then...have a great week and I'll try to blog again tomorrow...Happy Trails to you...until we read again...Coach tom

Okay, so NOW we have to address something that is really bothering me...

FSLT Staff — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:50:00 GMT

March 3, 2008...San Diego, California...

I am blessed to have this opportunity to be with my family and visit my father, Pete Newell, 92 years young, over this past weekend and tomorrow night's festivities of him being honored into the San Diego Hall of Champions program...He once was the General Manager of the San Diego Rockets before they relocated to Houston...He is very excited to be able to "live" this experience tomorrow night and we're so happy that he is with us now...Should be fun...

Now to the "heading" aforementioned...I am really REALLY concerned about the level of play that I have witnessed recently in high school basketball, both boys and girls at the 3A and 4A levels...First off, why is it that kids don't know how to make a correct CHEST PASS, BOUNCE PASS, OVERHEAD OUTLET PASS, PUSH PASSes, left hand/right hand? Why is it that kids don't understand that once you pass the ball YOU MUST MOVE WITHOUT IT or you might as well hold a Polaroid Camera and take pictures of the plays 'cause you're NOT a part of the motion any longer...Why is it kids don't talk on defense or anticipate helping a teammate when they get beat one on one? Why is it kids don't block out in late February when you know the coaches have taught them in October? Why is it kids hang their heads when they come out of the game and don't accept the fact that they're NOT helping the team with their mistakes or ineffective play and cast a dirty look at the coach or want to SIT at the end of the bench? Why is it kids who do start and then come out don't "cheer" their teammates who are still on the court competing for the TEAM? Why is it that some kids LOOK to the stands for support of their parents when they can GET ALL the support in the world from their coaches and teammates? Yeah, I'm BACK and not a "Happy Hooper" with the model I see on the courts today...Y'all need to listen to my podcast and hear my rant and suggestions to overcome the negativity that is surrounding our game today at the interscholastic levels...If I "stir" your emotions, good...If you think I'm "losing it"...you better have someone "film" you in the stands and YOUR son/daughter when they play or sit, then we'll see who's "losing" it...I am really upset at this time with what I see as a terrible slack-state of fundamental skills in interscholastic basketball in the NW...The "hype" that is being put upon young people today in newspapers and magazines, is unfortunate and setting up kids and parents for a "free fall" that is bungeecordless and doomed for a "post mortem" on one's high school basketball experiences IF the "expectations" are unfulfilled...Those of you, Parents, Coaches (all levels), Student Athletes and Administrators who KNOW me and my passion for the game, realize that I speak from my heart and trust me, my heart is hurting after watching basketball over the last three weeks in the NW...Listen to the Podcast to hear my feelings if you dare...Nobody ever said "Oral Medicines" were "sweet tasting", and trust me, this "prescription" is not sweet, BUT can HELP overcome the "nausea" that you (parent(s), student athletes, administrators and coaches) felt after the last defeat that eliminated you from District, Regionals, State and in State Finals...

Now I feel a whole lot better after getting that OFF my chest...thank you!! Okay, where do we go from here...Stay tooned, as I have a couple of events coming up for announcement that may or may not interest the parents and their student athletes...a Novel approach once again on my part to share with Family Sports Life Today in the NW...

I am soooooooooooo happy to be back in the NW and with Family and Friends...I thank you each and every one for emailing me over the last several months, encouraging my weblogits, and of course keeping me posted on your lives as well, on and off the court...Drive safe, buckle up and all the best, God Bless...Coach tom

650 Pounds of Food Donated at "For the Love of the Game"

Tom — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 05:16:00 GMT

Thank you to all that attended at supported the important work of Northwest Harvest....(read more)

Acknowledgements

Tom — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:25:10 GMT

Without the following people providing support and volunteer help, the "For the Love of the Game" event would not have been possible. Thank you for being a part of history.

Mr. Scott Rerucha, The Legacy Group, President, Title Sponsor

Mr. Pat Leonard, Qwizdom, inc. Coordinator, Support Sponsor

K&G Investments, Support Sponsor

Mr. Jon Wise, New Balance Shoes and Apparel

Mr. Alden "Audie" Foote, Graphic Artist and Design Coordinator

Mr. Daniel Jahn, End Zone Athletics, Strength and Conditioning Coach

Mr. Dave Burroughs, Security Director/Advisor

ShowRoomLabor.com, "Caretakers of the Game" Plaque, Mr. Nick Beerman, Proprietor

Mr. Larry Stone, Coordinator of Platform Construction for Elevated Basket Stanchions

Mr. Bob Llewellyn, Spalding Basketballs "Project 11" Commemorative Balls

Metropolitan Grill, Gift Certificate for Event

Jak's Steak House, Alki, Gift Certificate for Event

Mr. Kevin Regan, Quality Business Systems, Inc.

Mr. Marty Hillis and the GREAT TEAM at The Ram, U Village

Silver Cloud Hotel, U Village

Watertown Inn, Seattle

Coach Joe Callero, Seattle University

Coach Jeff Hironaka, Seattle Pacific University

Mr. Chip Lydum, Facilities Director, University of Washington

University of Washington Event Management Staff, Facilities Staff

Coach Brett Brungaard, Strength and Conditioning Coach, UW

Ms. Jennifer Radcliffe, ATC, UW

Mr. Brandon Miller, UW Team Manager and Scorer

Mr. Bryce Currie, Volunteer Assistant

Mr. Greg Peters, Student Athlete, Northwest University, Kirkland

Mrs. Jan Jorg, Volunteer

Mr. David Hallingstad, Volunteer

Mr. David Spear, Volunteer Photographer/Coordinator Extraordinaire

Coach Ernie Woods, CybersportsUSA, Statistical Data for Event

Mr. Todd Kozinka, Planet-Hoops.com, DVCoach Analysis for Event

The "One and Only" venerable, Smitty from Athletic Supply

Mr. Al Cox, Al Cox Signs

Mr. Dan Vetras, Talisma, Support Sponsor

Coach Marv Harshman, Hall of Fame UW Coach

Coach Lorenzo Romar, UW Men's Coach

Coach Tia Jackson, UW Women's Coach

Mr. Frank Smoll, PhD, Sports Psychologist, UW

Mr. Ron Smith, PhD, Sports Psychologist, UW

Coach Stan Morrison, Athletics Director, UC Riverside

Mr. Jeff Compher, Senior Athletics Director, UW

Mr. Bill Hogan, Seattle U., Athletics Director

Mr. Tom Box, Seattle Pacific University, Athletics Director

Charles E. Robertson, Senior Lecturer, Emeritus, Physicist

Coach Billy Rodgers, Sonics-Storm Community Relations Director

Ms. Karen Bryant, Sonics-Storm, Senior Vice President

Coach Bob Hill, Consultant to Event

Coach Pete Newell, Consultant to Event

Coach Bill Fitch, Consultant to Event

Mr. Jim Fisher, Actor, playing Dr. James Naismith

Mr. Shane Johnson, J & R Woodworking, Co-builder of Platforms

Mr. Terry Sayers, Foundation to Finish, Co-builder of Platforms

Mr. Scott Takeda, sirkit.com, Video Producer

Ms. Diondra Perry, Production Assistant

Mr. L.T. Arnold, First Aid / EMT

Bob Schmitt, Oppenheimer & Co., Bellevue

FSN: Bill Kcazaraba, Tim McQuillan, Jon Bradford, Pat Brown

KJR SportsRadio 950: Rich Moore, *** Fain

Seanboy Perry, Director of Towel Boys under baskets

Patrick Hillis, Team Attendant

Northwest Harvest Food Bank: Darla Weideman and Staff

Special thanks to Coach Newell's "step up" student athlete volunteers who made this even possible.