Springtime in Hanover

Spring sprang early in NH! It has been beautiful in the Upper Valley. There is nothing like Hanover during a bout of perfect weather and this spring has been the best.

My staff, Coach Bob Miller (Strength and Conditioning) and our trainer Mike Derosier all put our heads together and came up with a new approach to our off season basketball work outs. It was so much fun to listen to all the new ideas and then to incorporate them into a coherent program. As a matter of fact, it was as refreshing as the spring weather. The “plan” revolved around one word — RELEVANCE. Everything had to be relevant to the game.

But you know what happens to the best laid plans ... they can end up on a cluttered desk or in an overstuffed file folder. We knew we had to take our new “relevance“ to the players. But that never happened.

Before we could even mention the word “relevance,” the players came to us. They were looking for help and for direction! Spring term had not even started when my shopping spree at JC Penney was interrupted by the juniors calling to tell me they were ready to start conditioning. It was awesome. They were not looking back. They were not talking about “what if?” They were going to get after it.

Well they did. They never looked back, never hesitated and dug down deep to become better players and a better team. This is the greatest gift a coach can receive. I know it. In return for my gift, they have earned my respect.

I can’t wait for the season to begin ... and it is only spring.


*** This blog is dedicated to John Engelman’68, a good friend to Dartmouth who makes this place so special. Thanks, John