It's February 29th. If you're a college hoops fan, you might not be happy, because March has been delayed for a day.
The "March Madness" NCAA College Basketball tournament is my favorite sports event to watch. The effort that you see on the court by college students, laying it all out on the line for their school, is awesome. And it's pretty much a guarantee that you're going to see some fantastic finishes.
But tonight I'm driving up to my high school in North Andover, Massachusetts. My high school coach is still on the sidelines. The extra day in February on a Friday night means that high school teams all over the country will be playing playoff basketball.
February Madness.
The North Andover Scarlet Knights
The North Andover boys varsity basketball team is in its fifth straight decade of qualifying for post-season basketball. The streak stretches back into the 1960s. I believe it's the longest such streak in the state of Massachusetts (that's what the papers have written). And during that time, there's only been two head coaches at NAHS. During my junior year in high school, I played for Coach Bob Licare. During my senior year in high school, I played for Coach Mike McVeigh.
Why do I write about my high school basketball experience? Two reasons, really. Number #1: the town basketball program has a commitment to excellence. Number #2: Being part of that program has continued to influence my career here at EMC.
Intensity
There were many lessons learned under Coach Licare in my junior year. The main thing I remember, and the lesson that I still carry with me, was the commitment to intensity. Especially on defense. We ran contact basketball drills that were more like tackle football without the pads. We were expected to dive for loose balls, pound the opponent's bodies during rebounds, and take the charge. NAHS hoops had a winning tradition because of the commitment to defensive intensity on the court. Everybody on the team bought into this because obviously Coach Licare knew what he was doing: state championships, division titles, and a playoff streak. And because we bought into it, we had a successful season, and I have great memories.
Fast forward to my career working as a software developer for EMC. Am I just going to punch the clock and go home? Nope. I'm going to try and be "beyond productive". Every day, be intense. I want the successful season.
Opportunity
Coach Licare rounded up his junior captains and told us that he wouldn't be coaching us in our senior year. This was a very disappointing development, to say the least. Later on it was announced that my social studies teacher, Mike McVeigh, would be our new coach.
Does this guy know anything about basketball? (turns out he did!) Were we going to be the first team in years that didn't make the playoffs? Would we win the league, like we usually did? Would my senior year mark the beginning of rough times for the basketball program? There was an expectation of excellence.
And then it hit me.
What an opportunity.
The town was a basketball crazy town. Some games would have two thousand fans in the gym. I realized that I had the unique priviledge and opportunity to make a statement to my school and community about a new, great era in North Andover High School basketball. This was highly motivating to me. And so I decided to personally turn up the intensity.
Now it's twenty five years later. Every once in a while (while typing!) my left elbow hits my desk and the bone chips floating around in my elbow creak a little bit. I always landed on my left elbow to brace my fall when I took a charge, and I took so many charges my senior year (in practices and in games) that I was fortunate I was a right-handed shooter. Towards the end of that season, my body was really banged up.
How did that season end? During our last regular season game, we were tied, in overtime, with the league championship on the line. My good friend John McElroy, the best shooter on the team, drilled a jumper with no time left on the clock for the win and a league-best 16-2 mark. Another trip to the Mass state playoffs. Talk about a great memory.
And in subsequent years, well, Coach McVeigh didn't miss a beat. He's always put the students first while teaching the great game of basketball. The team I'll be watching tonight went 15-5 last season. Last year I watched them make it all the way to the Division finals.
Applying the Experience
It was a (grateful) feeling of deja vu when EMC bought my company (Data General) in 1999. EMC had a streak of its own going during the 90s. All of a sudden I was on the team that had the tradition, and the expectation of excellence. If anything, I hope that this blog is an example of how youth sports is not about the winning but about the preparation for real life. My company is in a competitive situation. I have teammates. I have coaches. There are always changes. There are always challenges.
Back in high school it was local scope. Play in your own region. Receive the support of teachers, friends and neighbors in your community. Travel locally to meet the competition.
The playing field for me, however, is now global. Will banks, hospitals, universities, and businesses all over the world still come to EMC to get the products that they need? Can we continue to deliver outstanding products? How can I be teammates with people 8000 miles away?
What an opportunity.
Go Knights!
Steve
P.S. Follow the North Andover team at the MIAA web site, Division 2 North.
That was an excellent post, Steve! Your message came through loud and clear. As a basketball fan I can definitely relate, and I think non-sports fans will relate as well. Always do your best, in spite of all obstacles, and good things can happen. Anyone who thinks they will be rewarded for giving anything less than their best is mistaken. Thanks for the inspirational post!
Posted by: Harold Davison | February 29, 2008 at 06:45 AM
You said, "The North Andover boys varsity basketball team is in its fifth straight decade of qualifying for post-season basketball. The streak stretches back into the 1960s".
You are wrong.
I would like to point out North Andover's winning streak goes behond the 1960s. Your streak started in the 1950s and you should go back and check. I belive 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, North Andover played in the state finals and they were the state champions in one of those years. I think it was 1957 we won the state championship. I remember three names on that team, Vic, Ziggie and Robin. Maybe someone can write and fill in the remaining other names. I'm sure Robin Monroe still lives in North Andover, he can bring you up to date.
You can post my email, I enjoy hearing from my friends back home as I live in Texas now.
Thank you
Posted by: A. Bruce Gourley | February 29, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I did some research on this topic over the weekend, and I think we're both right! In the back of my mind I had heard that North Andover did not play in the state tournament in the 1960s, so I contacted Bob Parker from NAHS. Bob played North Andover basketball, coached North Andover basketball, and was my math teacher as well. According to Bob, North Andover has "qualified" each year since (at least) the 50s, but did not play in 1964 because of a technicality. I've appended his email below:
Steve
Basically my comments regarding the '64 team were as follows: In 1964, we were 12 -8 at the end of the season and qualified for the state tournament. At that time, 60 % was needed and we made it. A couple of days before the pairings came out, Coach Licare told us that two of our wins were at risk due to a technicality. It seems that Haverhill Trade School (whom we beat twice) had not paid their league or MIAA dues. After much discussions and objections "they" decided that HT was a non-sanctioned high school and games won against them would not count towards the 60 % qualifying goal.
Thus....we were not allowed to participate in the post-season State Tournament.
Posted by: Steve Todd | March 03, 2008 at 06:35 AM