This season, we have a special group of seniors; Jasper Duberry, Cole Lewis, Izac Sheforgen, and Matt Turba. In the coming weeks, you'll hear from each of them about their experience and "What Being a Senior" means to them. This group has been through a lot in the first 3 plus seasons, both Izac and Matt are fifth year seniors. The program has won more games each season; 6 in 10-11, 11 in 11-12, and 16 in 12-13. Last season, these four men started all 31 games and accounted to a lot of the statistical production. While expectations remain high for this group, they understand the importance of developing younger players and leading them in more ways than just on the basketball court. This season we assigned each of them, along with junior Alex Diciaula, the responsibility of leading a group of our players. They are to help with group study tables, team bonding sessions, and just being there to answer a question. These men have accepted the challenge and we look forward to seeing how this all works! We are into our second week of fall conditioning and I reminded the team of this simple message..."This isn't summer time anymore...We are on a mission to be in the position to WIN our first game on November 1st." For the seniors, this will be their last first game of the season. This seasons identity...Play Present. A mental reminder to stay in the moment and put personal struggles behind for the better of the entire group. A message we can all utilize on a day to day basis. Thanks in advance seniors and I look forward to the ride with you! What a difference a year can make in a persons life. On August 10, 2012, I married my best friend, Lynsey Elizabeth Thibodeau. It was a beautiful day that many family and friends still talk about. How has getting married changed my life? Well, not a whole lot is different between Lynsey and I, but how Lynsey has impacted my life is worth sharing. My wife has not only helped me grow and mature during our time together, but she has also opened me up to new and exciting things that I may have never tried without her. We enjoy traveling together, whether it be San Diego for our Honeymoon, Daytona Beach for a family vacation, or visiting the Wisconsin Dells just because. We enjoy attending sporting events, concerts, and staying in good shape through different endurance events (She'll be back running & competing real soon). Most recently, we enjoy spending each minute with our baby girl, Rayna, who has already taken our breath away in 3 1/2 short weeks! It is hard to put into words how lucky of a person I am. I have a smart, beautiful woman to come home to each day, who also makes one heck of a mother to Rayna. We look forward to making many more memories over many more years of being together. Love you Lynsey and Happy First Anniversary! The last week has been forever life changing. One minute, my wife and I are going in for a routine baby appointment (6 days over our scheduled due date), the next, we welcomed our first child, Rayna Lyn Thibodeau, to the world. Thoughts of joy and excitement swarmed over me, as well as, happiness that both my wife and child are healthy. I have been preparing myself for parenthood for some time, but to experience the real thing is a feeling that is indescribable with words. Parenthood is a privilege. I was guided by two great parents, Mark and Terri, and I completely intend to share the same values of respect, loyalty, responsibility, thankfulness, and love with my child. I intend to be there every step of the way in her life and look forward to someday introducing her to the game of basketball. How does this change my approach to my career? It doesn't! Family and Faith are always my first priorities...no matter what. Could this affect my ability to be the most successful coach I can be? My "job" is to be there when my wife and daughter need me and I will do the same when my team needs me. That also will never change. Lastly, I am honored to take on this challenge and with my wife by my side, I will grow and learn in becoming the best father I can be. God Bless! The end of the basketball season is a tough time and I go through a lot of reflection about the team and my role in its outcome. After a couple of weeks away from the game, we get back on the court for my favorite time of the entire calendar, the off-season. As a coach at the NAIA Division II level, we are recruiting players with college potential. It is our role as a coach to build them into All-Conference players and people. Our off-season is broken into three parts; spring, summer, and fall. Our guys are currently completing week 5 of our 8 week strength program and using me throughout the week for individual skill development sessions. We spend this time of year focusing on the fundmentals of the game; ball handling, passing, shooting, and defending. It is fun to challenge our players to try things different to see if it's something they feel they can add to their games over the summer and fall. It is ok to get away from the X's and O's of offensive and defensive philosophy to really emphasize the "little things." Everyone loves the competition that the seasons brings (me included), but the results during the season are won during the off-season. Keep working on your game and results will come next winter! |
AuthorThe purpose of this Blog is to share thoughts and insights from Coach Ryan Thibodeau and the Archives
January 2015
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