BEHIND THE LENS - October 14 2005 -

Football Stars For Tomorrow - www.storkmontgomery.com

What to let in...

Why Coaches do certain things...

The First Start...


Hey Gang,

Yes I have been MIA - Missing in Action, but things are getting better.

So let's jump in, I need to get you folks back on track.

What to let in...
As many of you know, my world has been a roller coaster, and I have decided that everybody is on a roller coaster because of the fast pace life we live in.

Everything moves at speeds beyond our control and sometimes we are thrown into things we have very little control over and then there are other things that we do. We all have choices we can make and what we can let in.

Now, you are probably saying what are you talking about Stork?

I am talking about our day to day decisions of life, whether you are a grown up, or a kid in High School, or a coach trying to figure out what play to call next. You have choices, to decide what to let into our lives and what not to let in. We are all faced with day to day things, and we can choose what we want to allow into our world. The outcome is sometimes beyond our control, but once we have made the choice we have to live with it.

Kids, maybe in a peer situation, try alcohol, and at that point that kid is given a choice of whether to drink or not to drink. At that point he or she will probably have little control of the outcome.

The point is, as life rolls in front of you, stop and think of the choices that are upon you and realize that what you choose may change the face of your life big or small. That more than likely you will have very little control of what will happen next.

Think about that for a moment.

Ok, moment is up, let’s roll to the next topic.

Why Coaches do certain things...
Parents and fans often question a coach’s decisions on plays and athletes that start or sit the sidelines or bench whatever the case maybe.

Please don’t ever question these decisions.

I say that, even though my good friends at the local rag (newspaper) will always question why a coach made X or Z decision on a certain player or play.

Guess what, the coach never gives you the whole reason for their decision.

Why?

Not enough time or paper to tell you all the reasons that the decision was made and guess what?
It’s really none of our business.

A coach makes that mathematical human decision based on all factors at that one given time, and sometimes he doesn’t have the time to make a choice (look above) that he knows what that outcome will be. These choices are once again a risk based on his environment at that given moment.

Rick Pitino, who I love to listen to in a press conference, has the ability to always addresses those pelting questions from the press the best I have ever seen. He will describe all the factors and then tell you why he made the decision that he made. But, he really can’t tell you all the things that were going on when the play finally occurred. Rick Pitino makes that call and choice of the play, but has no idea if the shot will even leave the kid’s hands.

Get the picture? It is all chance. They make that decision at that time and have no idea what is going to happen. Nobody knows, not even the players. You are either a hero or and idiot according to the person holding the remote control of your big screen TV.

On to my last topic

The First Start
Tonight holds a special place in my heart forever.

As my son Tyler will have his first ever start as center on a Friday Night, against the #8 team in the nation, The Riverdale Warriors. Now you local fans and friends know the place of Tomahawk Stadium other known as “The Flying Arrow”.

Smyrna and Riverdale don’t get along at all, and it has been a rival before I came to town. The one icon I noticed last night at the freshman beating, was the tee pee in the end zone. What a neat symbol to have on the grounds in representation of your mascot.

I wish I could video my son’s mind all day to day and all through the game so I could know what he is thinking (I only want the part about the game I don’t want to know what else he is thinking like what’s for lunch or what ever wild thoughts are running through a 15 year old mind of a great kid).

He is so excited, and has talked about this day for weeks and knows the challenge is not going to be easy.
He has waited over 8 years for this shining moment, to get the keys to start on Friday Night.

He called last night and said he was nervous. My only response was “just do the best you can I am already proud of you for just being you”.

No matter the outcome, he is on journey that will only come around once in his life.
He now realizes why I always said it moves quickly and you need to be ready when the moment appears.
He now realizes that this season is almost over.
That if he stays healthy, does the right thing, and the other 55 things fall into place, he is guaranteed to play only 20 more high school games ( that does not include playoffs that is regular season, junior and senior year).

Tyler, I love you and just enjoy, you will do fine!!!!

That's A Wrap

Well that is wrap.

I appreciate all you fans reading this rag, and I hope everybody has a great weekend.

You folks and fans know where I will be in a short while, high above the stadium filming the game and just enjoying the moment. The atmosphere will be tense as we head into the reservation of the warriors.

Until next week chop chop.

From Behind The Lens.
The Stork
“A man who truly delivers”

Football Stars For Tomorrow - www.storkmontgomery.com