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The Signing of a Dream
WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 3, 2007
After visiting 29 college basketball coaches on 23 adventures that covered 27,125 miles, former Bowling Green students Dave Bensch and Andrew Hemminger have seen their hard work pay off with the release of "Destination Basketball: A Once in a Lifetime Adventure to Meet the Best Basketball Coaches in College Hoops." The book is a compilation of their interviews with some of the top coaches around the country, including U-M's John Beilein. "It is 16 months of work taking a simple idea and finally being able to see the end result of it," said Hemminger. "Sometimes you think that you cannot get something done, but it really can get done if you work hard enough. The biggest thing is that we finally have gone from simple idea to finalized product."
The challenge was immense, but the two avid basketball fans have their dream completed. "We have spent so much time working on the book, to have it out now is just a great feeling," said Bensch. "Now, for us, we need to spread the word about what we did. It really is a fun book to read. Coach Beilein coming out to help us was a huge compliment. He was so gracious with his time before, and to do it again is just so nice. We know how busy his schedule is."
Bensch and Hemminger had their first official book signing Wednesday at the Michigan Union Bookstore, where Beilein joined them for an hour. The trio caught up, reminisced about their prior meeting, and shared stories about the other coaches in the book, something that has always fascinated Beilein.
Beilein has not read the book yet, but after the signing he invited Bensch and Hemminger to his office to sit and talk some more -- and to buy 10 books to send to his family and for his staff." I have never had my own book done," Beilein said. "There have been a few occasions where I had to pinch myself because a story or something about me was in a national publication like this or in a book."
As a huge basketball fan always looking to read about what other coaches are doing and reinventing things he does, Beilein said if he saw this book in the store he would buy it. And he is pleased to have been part of the project. "This was a pleasure to do, and these kids really had a great approach to how to get into people's offices. Once I met them I was very happy I was able to do it." Getting Into the Stretch of Things
TUESDAY | OCTOBER 2, 2007
Since the beginning of school, the Wolverines have balanced school work, weight and agility training, individual workouts as well as the now-famous track workout. With the start of practice just around the corner, the Wolverines have taken yet another step with the implementation of a new pre-practice routine -- an all rubberband stretching routine -- in addition to all the basic fundamental warm-up drills for shooting, dribbling and passing. Last week, the Wolverines were visited by coach Dick Hartzell, age 61, of the Jump Stretch Fitness Center. Since 1980 he has developed and redefined his FlexBand system, essentially one of the most intense workouts the Wolverines have ever been put through to date. "At first look, I was like what are we doing" said Ekpe Udoh. "Once we got going, I was like whoa."
"It's been very beneficial to me already," Udoh added. "Even in just that first session. When Coach Hartzell started doing all the stretches -- stretches I know I couldn't even come close to doing -- I knew we were in for something different."
The Wolverines used a variety of super-sized rubberbands to do a series of stretching exercises, as well as strength training for their hamstrings, knees and ankles. One of the most important facets to the systems is not just building strength but to help in the prevention of injuries. "It is definitely going to help us get loose," said Ron Coleman. "I don't think I have ever stretched some of the muscles that we did. I know I am not the most flexible person, but I know this is going to help me, well, really all of us."
The FlexBand system is used by several MLB, NFL, NBA and other college teams, and it was part of coach John Beilein's routine at West Virginia. Assistant coach John Mahoney also was exposed to the system when he was at Duquesne. "It is just a great system," said Mahoney. "It's all about the prevention of injuries. If we start now, we can make sure that midway or even at the latter half of the season, those nagging injuries won't be there."
Just add another new twist -- or stretch -- for the Wolverines. Waiting Patiently in the Wings for a Chance
TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 25, 2007
C.J. Lee played an inconspicuous yet important role for the Wolverines in 2006-07 while sitting out the season as a transfer from Manhattan. Though he couldn't play or travel with the team, he made a mark for himself as the leader of the scout team, the grey squad, mimicking the opponent's top guard and challenging last year's starters in preparation for upcoming games. This season, Lee wants to be wearing a different-colored jersey at practice. Lee transferred to U-M because of the "the total package" and "once in a lifetime opportunity" he says it presented. A year on the scout team and on the bench in street clothes was difficult, but he persevered. "I knew in the long run, looking back, this is exactly where I wanted to be," he said. "The opportunity has been given to me; I have to take advantage of it. Day in and day out it is tough, but I was ecstatic to be here and I wanted them to know that I appreciate what they did, going out on a limb and taking me."
Now Lee has the green light to practice, play and travel, and he couldn't be happier. He is now playing for his fourth coach in as many years with coach John Beilein taking over at Michigan. "Anytime you have a new coach come in, it's a blank slate," Lee said. "Everyone has to prove themselves all over again because you want to impress the man and show him what you can do on and off the court."
Lee knows he is not guaranteed playing time, but he will cherish the time he gets, and he realizes that part of him being on this team is to be a role model and to help guide the younger players. "When I was a freshman, I roomed with a senior and he did wonders for me," said Lee. "He had been through the war stories and done everything before me so he would tell me what to expect and how to do it. That is the kind of thing I look at now. It has almost come full circle and I can help our younger guys and offer them some advice or tell them what to expect or how to handle the college experience."
Though Lee is eager to help younger players on his team, he also hopes to contribute on the court, and he doesn't want to miss his chance. "You can never stay in the same place as a basketball player; you always have to try to prove yourself," he said. "As far as my situation goes, I want to impress Coach just as much as the next man. I know that if I relax or don't take something seriously one time, it could cost me." | | | 2007 Archive
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