BEST TOWN EVER

Yesterday I opened the paper to see an article regarding "BEST TOWNS EVER" with a Top 10 List shown by Outside Magazine. I don't know what the criteria was in the selection, but I can tell you that 2 of the places on the Top 10 List are pretty fantastic choices as Bozeman, Montana and Carbondale, Colorado both made the list. Here are a couple of the similarities: 1) GREAT PEOPLE-I always tell prospects in the recruiting process that their decision will ultimately come down to the people because at the end of the day you are going to spend the majority of your time with them. The people in these two places define scripture in Mark so well with the words "love your neighbor as yourself." 2) MAJESTIC-God had some pretty incredible days creating Mt. Sopris in Carbondale and the overlapping ranges in every direction of Bozeman from the stretches of the Bridgers to the Spanish Peaks. If I wasn't a coach I should be a photographer! 3)THE GREAT OUTDOORS-I am not talking about John Candy & Dan Akroyd taking on a Grizzly bear, but I suppose that could happen if you didn't "hit the sticks together" to detour them from your hike. At least that is what Dale Dawkins, Alexa's dad suggests. I grew up ski racing on the slopes of Buttermilk Mountain, learned to kayak from my brother on the Colorado River, know the difference between a brook & rainbow trout from my dad, and that I could use lint from our laundry dyrer to start a fire from my husband. Yet the most important lesson has still been and always will be only eat Spam while camping. It doesn't taste the same once you get home. 4) ATHLETICS-So dear to my heart is the game of basketball and it has been since the day I had to make a choice between that and ski racing. Considering I am 10 degrees colder than everyone in my family I think choosing the sport that is always 70 degrees was a wise decision. What is so "EPIC",as my son would say, is that Carbondale and Bozeman get behind their teams & support in consistent fashion. When our high school team went on to win 3 consecutive state championships nearly our entire town filled the lower bowl of McNichols Arena, and when our women's basketball team runs out of the Bobcat Head in the Fieldhouse we see & hear around 1,500 people in the stands. I love sports, indoor and outdoor doesn't matter. I love the great outdoors, nature, and these two great towns our country has even recognized. So if you visit Carbondale please buy some Carly's Gold sauce to marinate your meats for grilling this summer, and when you visit Bozeman you better sport the same colors that the Roaring Fork Rams own, the BLUE & GOLD because we are the BOBCATS! Coach Bin

SUSTAINABILITY

This topic isn't discussed nearly enough so I thought in the wake of the NBA Playoffs it somewhat timely. If you consider the length of the NBA season, the number of games, physicality, and the travel, it's hard to comprehend their abilty to sustain that schedule. Here are just a few of my beliefs on how these athletes are able to pull it off. 1)They are in the most elite physical condition possible. This has developed over the course of their careers in the weight room, speed & agility training, and conditioning. 2) Their nutrition matters. Over the course of one's career, your nutrition is one of the most important supplements in recovery after a workout, a game, an injury, etc. 3) They prepare well. I decided to retire from playing basketball because it was taking me close to a half hour just to get warmed up enough to perform at the level necessary. I guarantee these athletes warm up well, stretch well, and cool down right. I didn't do that a few weeks ago when I jumped in at noon ball and pulled my "hammy." I am not getting any younger. 4) They rest. That long of a season doesn't come with 3 hour practices year round. Nor does it include high intense training for 12 months of the year. To all of those young recruits out there taking it to the next level, it is a fact you can over train. Listen to your body, put a program with "cycles" in place where you are building up to the most important parts of the seasons and BELIEVE that rest is part of your program. So sit down in front of that t.v. and- Enjoy the playoffs! Coach Bin

Self Discipline

What a weekend of events. It's always emotional to watch our young student athletes reach their collegiate destination, that hard earned college diploma. I am so excited for their next ventures in life as I know they will all have a profound impact on our society. In sitting their during the graduation ceremony in the Fieldhouse, I began to process my four years with them, their shining moments, their adverse fights, and some of the opportunities that I missed with them. As a coach and a teacher, I reflect on our student athlete's careers and how it's so important for me to slow down in my own world to be a greater impact on their behalf. One of the areas I have committed myself to is taking my quiet time every morning before I begin my busy day. That moment of silence, the time in my devotion I can think, listen, focus and hopefully use that to prepare me for the day of opportunities ahead. Many times those opportunities are right in front of me and I miss either by distraction, busyness, or lack of boldness. I am a work in progress, but my daily goal is to be more than present, to be alert! I just opened up a wonderful card this morning from one of my student athletes with a profound scripture from Corinthians 9:24-27. Here is what Paul says. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Paul was one of the most dedicated and focused disciples I can think of. His motivation was an eternal destination with Christ, with daily goals of seizing opportunities with others. I am so thankful for this opportunity to teach, mentor, and to be so humbled every day when I learn from my own student athletes. What a great job but more importantly what a great responsiblity not to waste. Coach Bin

End of Year Banquet/Senior Graduation

The weekend is certainly busy. Don't forget to join us tonight for our Season Banquet at the Comfort Inn 5:30pm. We also have FOUR graduates walking tomorrow, Kelsey Roben, Kate Webb, Chelsea Banis, and LaTisha Adams. I am definitely bringing the kleenex for that one. So much to be excited about and so many young women to be proud of. I LOVE MY JOB!! Coach Bin