ON HOFSTRA MEN’S BASKETBALL 2015-16 SEASON: HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

November 29, 2015

December 1, 2015

Thanksgiving is now a near distant memory.  It is now December.  Christmas and the New Year are around the corner.  What’s the significance?  It primarily means one thing for basketball buffs in the Nassau County area:  the 2015-16 Hofstra basketball season has arrived.

Every year, at about this time (December 1), I introduce the reader to Hofstra’s Men’s Basketball Team and start the prediction process for the coming season.  This year is no different – so here goes…

I begin with some comments about last year’s team.  There were concerns, hopes, and expectations; second year Coach Joe Mihalich (he has my vote for second-best coach in the NCAA) had inherited a team in disarray the previous season, but the 2014-15 season team featured Juan ‘ya Green and Ameen Tanksley – the two Niagara University transfers and Brian Bernardi, plus returnees Jamail Robinson/Malik Nichols and two first-year centers.  So what happened?  They had a good season finishing 5th in the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) with a decent record of 20-14, 10-8.  The group started off strong, went into a tailspin after Tanksley scored 30+ points at the Barkley Center, and came back strong at the end of the season.  The CAA tournament was up for grabs and I felt they had a chance to win it and earn a berth in the NCAA tournament.

It would be appropriate to also mention last year’s Hofstra/William & Mary (H/W&M) CAA Tournament semi-final game.  This may sound like sour grapes but Hofstra was the best team in the tournament and the best team lost because of poor officiating (a CAA official effectively said the same thing to me).  The H/W&M foul ratio was an unbelievable 2/1.  The refs called “touch” or “phantom” fouls near the end of the game that put W&M in a position to win.  As a former basketball ref, and the reader can check this with any other ref, you simply don’t make this class of call at the end of a game.  These three officials shouldn’t get another playoff game in the future.  If you think I’m nuts, check the near perfect quality of the officiating the next night in the finals. (P.S. I mailed these thoughts to my friend, CAA Commissioner Tom Yaeger.)

Here’s what I’ve got on this year’s team.  Hofstra has extended Coach Mihalick’s contract.  Most of the players are returning; key losses include center Kone and off-guard Nesmith.  There’s a few additions, the most noteworthy of which is 6-8 Denton Koon, a Princeton graduate student transfer with one year of eligibility and freshman guards Justin Wrights-Foreman and Desure Buie.

Here’s my analysis:  The team looks pretty solid.  Are there any concerns?  Of course.  The loss of Kone may be problematic if the two centers – Gustys and Walker – do not improve.  The departure of Nesmith is a bigger concern since the club’s roster seems to be light on one (point) guards with experience.  I have repeatedly claimed that it is great guards that get a team to a championship games, but it is great defensive guards that get you to the Promised Land; i.e., win a championship.  Nesmith filled that role and I’m not sure that Mihalick has a satisfactory replacement.  Green is a solid scorer and a great passer but he has yet to convince me that he is a great defensive player, which he will have to demonstrate in order to move on to the next level.

This may be Hofstra’s year.  Then again, it may turn out not to be for a host of reasons.  At the top of the list is a porous defense, followed by the lack of a backup center, the lack of a shot blocker, and the lack of a great defensive guard.  Furthermore, Coach Mihalich appears committed to six-man rotation which could expand to seven with the addition of Buie; this might spell disaster in a potential four-day/four-game tournament in March.  I maintain that 35+ minutes players in a high powered offense will unquestionably cheat on defense—and this problem needs to be addressed if the club is to go all the way.

A note on the aforementioned Freshman guard Desure Buie.  He may turn out to be the heir to a long list of great guards who have performed at Mack Arena.  I think this baby-faced under six foot 120 pounder (he can’t be six feet tall and weigh 150 pounds as reported) will bring fame and fortune to the program after Green and Tanksley leave at the end of the season.  He’s the real deal in my estimation.

The team’s record at the time of the posting of this article was 3-2.  Three home games remain in December, including their league opener against Delaware at 1:00 PM on the day of New Year’s Eve.  There are also 9 home league games during January and February.  The CAA Tournament is scheduled for March 4 – 7 at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore.

As noted on numerous times in the past, attending Hofstra games still remains the best sports buy in the New York Metropolitan area.  There is ample free parking, the concession stands are not a rip-off, there isn’t a bad seat in the house and its $6 for seniors and children.

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In the meantime, my Basketball Coaching 101 (436-page) book is still out in the marketplace at either amazon.com or createspace.com for $17.95.  I gave it my best shot and know the book will win no prizes.  Despite rave reviews, sales are sluggish; it is not available in stores and there has been no signings in bookshops.  The explanation provided to me is that it is now a word-of-mouth book, i.e., via personal recommendation of one reader to another, the media, press, many authorities, etc., have essentially overlooked the book.

I thank those of you who have read it cover-to-cover and have had nothing but positive things to say about it.  It’s been great for my ego.  So … the readers’ help is required if meaningful sales are to materialize.  Nonetheless, thanks to those who are pushing the book.  I ask others to consider contacting their circle of friends and inform them of the book, and further recommend they contact their circle of friends, etc.  Details on the book are available on my Facebook page: Basketball Coaching 101.

Consider buying the book – I really do need the royalty money to help subsidize my gambling habits.

NEXT POSTINGS  (tentative):

 

JANUARY 1:             On Climate Change II

FEBRUARY 1:          On How to Write a Book

MARCH 1:                 On Random Thoughts XXIII

APRIL 1:                    On Financial Inequity

MAY 1:                       On the 2016 East Williston School District Budget Vote

Leave a Comment » | Basketball, East Williston, Education, Politics, School Board, Sports, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON PAYING STUDENT-ATHLETES (S-A) IV

October 31, 2015

 This is the fourth article dealing with the need to pay college basketball student-athletes.  It is important for the reader to understand, as noted in earlier articles, that college basketball is no longer a sport in the traditional Hellenic sense.  It is, pure and simple, a big business that is in the business of providing entertainment in order to make money.  A small group of individuals provide the entertainment and, contrary to American democratic principles and capitalism, are essentially deprived of fair compensation.  Most of these entertainers in basketball get little to nothing in terms of monetary salaries.  A handful are later provided significant financial rewards; it is almost strictly a matter if the entertainers make the NBA.  First round draft choices are guaranteed a million dollars a year for three years.  Second round draft choices get nothing unless they make the team.

The S-A problem is still alive and doing well – at least for now.  It could have been avoided.  But the NCAA, some conferences, some schools, and many school presidents/athletic directors/coaches all got greedy.  The NCAA’s attempts in the future to stop the process to pay S-As will fall flat on its face.  Instead, I predict that the NCAA will make some token overtures in the near future to correct their abuses of the past, but unfortunately for the NCAA, it will be too late to close the barn door; in effect, the train will have already left the station.  The NCAA “concept” that the college players are students, or student-athletes, will have outlived its time.

The position of the NCAA and their so-called institutions of higher learning seems illegal, unprofessional, unethical, etc.  On top of that, it seems to be un-American; it violates the true spirit of free enterprise.  After all, why can the author sell his talents (did the author mention he was a salaried chemical engineering professor for 50 years?) and these kids can’t?  In the meantime, the NCAA, along with most college and university presidents, continue to deny student-athletes contracts, potential endorsements, a percentage of gate and TV receipts, or part of the lucrative NCAA pot.  They argue that concessions of this nature will corrupt the S-A and destroy the status of amateur athletics.

The NCAA has argued in the past that, in effect, their rules are in the interest of collegiate sports, maintaining core values in amateurism, and in providing an integrated experience of academics and athletics.  Does anybody in the reading audience believe the NCAA horse manure?  The NCAA has never mentioned the collaborative/cooperative actions of its member schools which has deprived individuals of their rights in a democratic capitalistic system.  It seems to the author that the NCAA has been involved in a price fixing scandal.

What can presently be said regarding the corruption of major collegiate sports, i.e., basketball and football?  Multi-billion dollar TV deals attest to the economic incentive to provide the very best in entertainment.  But what about the athletes, or the more inappropriately referred-to student-athletes (in most cases)?  What’s their compensation?  Essentially, it is peanuts, and the powers to be want to keep it that way.

One can only wonder if S-As give thought to what they have given to society.  One can only wonder if the NCAA has ever given thought to the S-As’ role in society.  The author believes the suits at the NCAA rarely give thought to the aspirations and the future of the unsuccessful S-s, who would more appropriately be referred to as USAs.

Even after high school, the main problem with many of the S-As is that no one has taught them how to be a star in college.  There is television, radio, crowds, press conferences, interviews, etc.  Some of these activities are often embarrassing.  The main problem with the successful basketball S-As (in this case, that means reaching the NBA) is that no one, once again, has taught them how to be a star.   But what about those S-As who are not successful, i.e., the aforementioned unsuccessful S-As (or USAs).  Once the (senior) season is over; the artificial stage of their college life has ended, and the USA’s glamorous world is gone.  Kaput!  It’s an irreversible happening that will never return.

What happens then?  The USA returns to the real world … his home, his city, and in some cases, his country.  He is effectively alone within a day.  Some do return to their institution and keep in touch with their teammates, and occasionally their coaches, but the contact is inevitably limited.   The ending comes quickly, as earlier social and professional contacts decrease at an exponential rate.

The former intimacy with both teammates and coaches also dissolves as the USA retreats into another world and is, once again, simply part of the masses.  No longer is everything taken care of by other people – the servants who prepare his meals, outfit him, and provide travel arrangements are now history.  And even worse, no one has forewarned him, and no one has taught him to adjust to a new lifestyle.

Is there a solution?  Neal Gillen has offered his thoughts in my recent book “Basketball Coaching 101 (amazon.com or createspace.com, 450 pages, $17.95)”.  Here is an outline of Gillen’s solution.  “The issue must be addressed on three separate fronts: (A) An enforceable contract between the school and the student-athlete, (B) changing NCAA eligibility rules, and (C) professional leagues agreeing not to sign collegiate players until they or their class have graduated.  I have also included provisions for player travel expenses and a monthly stipend to be determined.  I did not include a provision for a student-athlete to participate in the proceeds of the sale of jerseys, T-shirts, or other memorabilia, but were I to do so, any such payments would not be forthcoming until the athlete or his or her class has graduated.   There could be antitrust issues, but should the changes I propose be made and upheld, the game would change once more for the better.”  Details on (A), (B) and (C) are available in my book.

Unfortunately, the S-A problem is still alive and well.

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Was my book “Basketball Coaching 101” mentioned above?  One chapter of the book was entitled “Crunch Time Management”; it was primarily concerned with the development of a procedure that would already be in place for time clock management at or near the end of a game.  As a Giant fan, I had contacted John Mara and Steve Tisch along with Jerry Reese in 2013 regarding applying my simple procedure to football.  The letter was ignored.

So what happened this football season?  The Giants lost their first two games because of poor crunch time decisions.  The first game was an absolute embarrassment that demonstrated the incompetence of Coughlin and his staff.  This could have been avoided had they applied my recommendations.

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I would be remiss not to mention that this past Wednesday, October 28th,  marked the 75th Anniversary of  OHI Day.  OHI is the Greek word for NO!   This day commemorates when then Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas’ courageously refused the Fascist and Nazi demand to occupy Greece during World War II. Against far superior military powers and all odds, the Greek nation, with their faith in God, resisted the Axis Powers, delaying their advance and ultimately changing the tide of the War.

The Washington OHI Day Foundation video is a powerful and inspirational tribute, both commemorating the day and inspiring all society to be courageous and virtuous during a time of crisis.. Here’s the link”

http://www.oxidayfoundation.org/video-world-leaders-praise-greek-courage/

Enjoy this great moment in history.  Additional details are available in earlier postings in The Theodore Newsletter.

NEXT POSTINGS:  (tentative)

 

DECEMBER 1:          On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2015-16 Season

JANUARY 1:             On How to Write a Book

FEBRUARY 1:          On Climate Change II

MARCH 1:                 On Random Thoughts XXIII

APRIL 1:                    On Financial Inequity

MAY 1:                       On the 2016 East Williston School District Budget Vote

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ON BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA UPDATE V

October 1, 2015

October 1, 2015

 

I’m tired of writing long-winded articles in traditional format.  Since this article is concerned with Barack Hussein Obama (BHO), I decided to check the notes in my files on BHO.  Below is what I’ve adding since the previous article – Barack Hussein Obama IV – that was posted onto this newsletter in late 2014.  Here are a handful of “recent extracts” that directly apply to BHO.

  • I can say, with absolute certainty, that lying is a way of life for BHO.  And The Hill.  And, of course, Bubba.
  • BHO unveiled his first major federal regulation on “fracking” five (5) months ago.  There is no end to the stupidity of this guy.
  • I don’t think BHO knows the difference between a “hand up” and a “handout”.
  • I feel BHO has set our nation back 20 years.
  • I still maintain that BHO is a racist and stoking racial animosity.  His true feelings can be found in his indifferent position on whites killed by blacks and blacks killed by blacks, and his outspoken position whenever a black is (almost always justifiably) killed by a cop.  He has nothing to say about the former and everything to say about the latter.
  • Over 150 years ago, Blacks in America were slaves to the plantation owners.  It seems to me that today, many have become slaves to the government because of their dependence on entitlement programs.
  • Although this may sound hard to accept, I believe that Hillary will win (if she runs) because of the women’s vote.
  • You heard it here first – I predict Michelle will divorce this egomaniac soon after 2016.
  • There is no question that Debbie Wasserman Shultz of the DNC is as dumb as Biden, Pelosi and Barack.
  • I’m still trying to figure out if Nancy Pelosi or Joe Biden are dumber than BHO.
  • A side headline in the 10/22/14 NY Times read “A Steady Loss in Confidence”.  How would one know from the headline that the article was essentially based on the confidence issue associated with BHO?
  • I think The Donald is good for America, but not as President.  He is a big boy who can dish it out but seems to have some problem when he’s on the receiving end.  I hope Trump keeps dishing it out and the media keeps returning the fire.
  • The Donald did a great service to our country.  The first debate in August helped to open the eyes of those individuals brainwashed by the liberal media as to what is really going on in America.
  • How dumb can the American public be?  One recent poll claimed that Barack was doing a good job!  Ouch!
  • Any chance Barack’s Administration will attempt to analyze the effect environmental rules, regulations, and laws have on businesses, society and the environment?  How about reviewing them to ensure clarity and reduce the conflicts between them?
  • I think it is tough to decide on the merits of the Iran nuke deal.  We have a choice of believing Barack or believing the Republicans.  Given that Barack is dumb, a liar, untrustworthy, un-American, and an egomaniac, the only intelligent and rational choice is to believe (ugh!) the Republicans.
  • I don’t think Barack is a communist.  But he unquestionably is a socialist, even though it has never worked since The Big Bang.
  • Seems to me that the liberals/democrats have turned away from democracy (as per the founding fathers) and capitalism.  I can’t figure out why, since it has worked successfully for nearly 250 years.
  • Most successful people, in discussing their career, stress family values, hard work, and love of our great nation.  Anyone ever hear Barack talk about any of the above three points?
  • What is Barack’s magic formula for a society to prosper and have a good quality of life? “Take from the rich and give to the poor,” and “it is the duty of the government to provide for our needs.”  Unfortunately, this populism strategy always accomplishes the opposite of its intent – it is an unalterable fact of economics.
  • It was approximately 2,150 years ago that Publitius Syrus wrote in his classic work Maxim: “Pardon one offense, and you encourage the commission of many.”  Can anyone relate this to the non-existent immigration policy, mass murders of Christians in the Middle East, condoning sanctuary cities, the war on women in the Middle East, Syria’s “red line,” the refugee chaos in Europe, the Iran nuke deal, Holder’s conduct as AG, etc.”
  • I’m trying to get a handle on how many people (including women and Christians) have suffered and/or died because of the weak-kneed liberal policies of BHO.
  • My vote for Loser and Enabler of the 21st Century is BHO.
  • How in the world can 42% of potential voters think that BHO is doing a good job?
  • BHO obviously doesn’t believe there are two sides to police and community relations.
  • BHO and I agree that “war is hell.” But, does BHO understand that “peace at any cost can ultimately (as in the past) be significantly worse than war.”
  • Have I gone off the deep end?  Every now and then I find myself comparing Churchill to BHO. Ugh!

Finally, can the reader guess who swore under oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United State” …. TWICE!!!

NEXT POSTINGS:  (tentative)

NOVEMBER 1:         On Paying Student-Athletes III

DECEMBER 1:          On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2015-16 Season

JANUARY 1:             On How to Write a Book

Leave a Comment » | Barack Obama, Economics, Education, Politics, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON PURELY CHASTE, PRISTINE AND RANDOM THOUGHTS XXII

August 30, 2015

Once again, here is another of the “random thoughts” articles.  These are easier to write and appeared to be enjoyed by the readership.  So, here comes 20 of the random variety.

 

  • I’m convinced that cooking over burning charcoal can’t be good for your health.  The meat is exposed to emissions that contain unburned hydrocarbons, including small quantities of carcinogens.
  • In football, it seems that every time the quarterback changes the play at the line of scrimmage, it’s a running play.
  • How in the world can 40% of the electorate feel that BHO is doing a good job?
  • I maintain that the best program on TV is “The O’Reilly Factor”.  It’s informative, hard-hitting, interesting, and entertaining.  Nonetheless, I’m still annoyed that O’Reilly failed to acknowledge my dedication to him in one of my recent books.
  • Something has to be done about the lack of productivity of civil servants.
  • Who would you rather have running the country – a liberal or conservative – if you are here illegally?
  • Who would you rather have running the country – a liberal or a conservative – if you are a criminal?
  • Who would you rather have running the country – a liberal or a conservative – if you and/or your family may be harmed by evil individuals?
  • I’m still trying to get an estimate on how many millions of people suffered and died because of the weak-kneed liberal policies of Neville Chamberlain.
  • I’m trying to get a handle on how many people have suffered and died because of the weak-kneed liberal policies of BHO.
  • I’m still trying to figure out who is more corrupt and inept – the NCAA or NYRA.
  • I’ve often commented on how dumb Obama is.  But the two dumbest individuals in government are Nancy Pelosi and (especially) Joe Biden.
  • People are now finally coming to grips with the corruption within the NCAA.  The recent findings of the phantom programs, inflated grades, no-show courses at the University of North Carolina for the past 20 years is just the tip of the iceberg.
  • A side headline in the 10/22/14 New York Times read “A Steady Loss in Confidence”.  How would one know from the headline that the article was essentially based on the confidence issue associated with Obama?
  • Prior to leaving for an engagement of sorts, how many times has your wife commented, “You’re not going out dressed like that, are you?”
  • My vote for Man of the 18th Century is George Washington.
  • My vote for Man of the 19th Century is one the pioneers who settled the West.
  • My vote for Man of the 20th Century is Winston Churchill.
  • My vote for Loser and Enabler of the 21st Century is BHO.
  • Have I gone off the deep end?  Every now and then, I find myself comparing Winnie to BHO.  Ugh!

 

Enough?  See you again in 6-12 months.

 

NEXT POSTINGS:  (tentative)

OCTOBER 1:             On Barack Hussein Obama Update V

NOVEMBER 1:         On Paying Student-Athletes III

DECEMBER 1:          On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2015-16 Season

Leave a Comment » | East Williston, Economics, Education, Politics, Sports | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

August 2, 2015

Well, what about environmental matters? I, for one, am anti-environmental…well, sort of. I’m actually anti-environmentalists. These misguided fanatics have gone nuts. It’s so bad that part of our state is considering seceding from New York due to Cuomo’s idiotic fracking policy. But then again, am I qualified to pass judgement on environmental matters and the USEPA? You be the judge, but I was employed (one year) and served as a consultant to the USEPA (for thirty-eight years).

Here is where we are today. The air has never been cleaner. The water has never been cleaner. The land has never been cleaner. Period. End of report. Conclusion: environmentalists no longer have anything to hang their hats on. But, wait! They have today set out to cripple capitalism, American businesses, and the American Dream. Bad enough? Here’s more. Thirty-five years ago, our environmentalist friends (they are actually our enemies) construed that the Earth was cooling and there was a need to, once again, rally the troops against the new enemy on the block – global cooling. But, wait! The Earth is not cooling. The Earth is actually warming. Finally, they have a cause to create havoc. But, wait! The Earth is not actually warming. But, wait! The Earth is undergoing climate change. Another opportunity to rally the gang for yet another environmental disaster facing mankind. But, wait! Many of the climate changes occurring today also occurred in past. What to do? What the hell. We can still lie, manipulate, deceive, fabricate, etc., since most of the electorate aren’t that bright. In fact, they’re dumb. No problem. Full speed ahead. Keep the donations and support coming in. I seem to remember that someone once said something to the effect that, “you can always convince a sucker of anything.”

So there are two environmental problems (there are, of course, more) vexing your author: global warming/climate change and the USEPA. Each is addressed separately below.

The “greenhouse effect” is a phrase properly used to describe the increased warming of the Earth due to increased levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric gases, called greenhouse gases (GHGs). Just as the glass in a botanical greenhouse traps heat for growing plants, GHGs trap heat and warm the planet. The greenhouse effect, a natural phenomenon, has been an essential part of Earth’s history for billions of years. The greenhouse effect is the result of a delicate and non-fixed balance between life and the environment. Yet, the greenhouse effect may be leading the planet to the brink of disaster. Since the Industrial Revolution, the presence of additional quantities of GHGs may be threating to affect global climate and the predicted effects of this increase are still debated among scientists and engineers.

The greenhouse effect works as follows. The energy radiated from the sun to the Earth is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, and is balanced by a comparable amount of long-wave energy emitted back to space from the Earth’s surface. Carbon dioxide molecules (and GHGs) absorb some of the long-wave energy radiating from the planet. Because of the greenhouse heat trapping effect, the atmosphere itself radiates a large amount of long-wave energy downward to the surface of the Earth and makes the Earth warmer than if warmed by solar radiation alone. The GHGs trap heat because of their chemical makeup and, in particular, their triatomic nature. They are relatively transparent to visible sunlight, but they absorb the aforementioned long wavelength, infrared radiation emitted by the Earth.

Some believe that the warming of the Earth over the last 100-150 years is part of a long-term, natural cycle that has little to do with the production of GHGs. Many remain unconvinced that the accumulation in the atmosphere of GHGs is concrete evidence of any rise in the average temperature, explaining that any warming of the Earth in the last one hundred years is better explained by the variation in natural climate and solar activity. According to this theory, the most probable source of global warming appears to be variations in solar activity.

The amount of solar rays reaching the Earth is controlled by three elements that vary cyclically over time. The first element is the tilt of the Earth’s axis, which varies 22° to 24.5° and back again every 41,000 years. The second element is the month of the year in which the Earth is closest to the sun, which varies over cycles of 19,000 and 24,000 years. The third element is the shape of the Earth’s orbit, which, over a period of 100,000 years, changes from being more elliptical to being almost fully circular. Finally, the amount of solar energy released by the variation in sun solar flares has a significant effect.

Scientists and engineers have also stated that changes in the Earth’s temperature have followed changes in solar activity over the last 100 years. When solar activity increased from 1880s to 1940s, global temperatures increased. The observed global temperature rise of 1°F was during this period, before 67% increase of global GHG emissions had even occurred. When it declined from the 1940s to the 1960s, temperatures also declined. During this time period, some environmentalists spoke of doomsday tales as a result of “global cooling,” blaming this event on the use of hydrocarbon fuels. When temperatures began to climb again with an increase of solar activity and sunspot numbers in the 1970s and 1980s, environmentalists began singing a different tune. Instead of the devastating effects of worldwide temperature drops, media campaigns began stressing the importance of regulating GHG emissions.

Obviously, the debate among these so-called experts continues to rage. What may be needed is to bring together a group of qualified experts–with no vested interests in the results — to impartially examine this problem analytically via a Delphi Panel Approach.

Here is my take on the global warming/climate change/greenhouse effect/CO2 emissions issue. The entire issue is bogus at this time. The policies of the EPA are bogus. The changes recommended and advocated by environmentalists are bogus. The present ideologies of environmentalists are bogus. Why bogus? There are no hard facts to back up doomsday predictions.

Is carbon dioxide (CO2) a problem? The scientific answer is one cannot say for certain. The engineer’s answer is that it probably is not due, primarily to the complexity of the overall issue. It would therefore not be unreasonable for one to conclude that any effort to curb CO2 emissions into the atmosphere that involve significant economic changes that can impact man’s social behavior cannot be justified. Any effort to reduce and/or eliminate CO2 emissions is thus virtually certain to downgrade the quality of life and lead to an increased state of poverty and instability.

Let’s face it. Any mandated imposition of CO2 emission reductions will dramatically impact our economy. It will result in the loss of at least (depending on the severity of the cuts) 100,000 jobs with little to no opportunities for these jobless to secure satisfactory replacement employment opportunities. All of this will compromise the ability to defend ourselves from the enemy, particularly the Jihadists. This is an example, pure and simple, of EPA know-it-alls (KIAs) involved with energy decision policies, who haven’t thought through the problem and included all the ramifications associated with their policies. Touting solar and wind technologies as the answer is ridiculous since these industries almost certainly will not be cost-effective–a term not in any environmentalist’s dictionary¬¬until mid-century (at the earliest). The KIAs have just chosen not to consider costs and dangers in their analysis.

Environmentalists justify their assessment by arguing that over ninety percent of the technical community support their position. This is misleading since nearly all of the 90% they refer to have vested interests in there being this catastrophic problem facing society. If there is no problem of this nature, most will be out of a job. At a minimum, there will be no tenure, no promotions, no articles, no books, no contracts, etc. And, the environmental organizations who also support this scam will have greater difficulty in generating funding donations and government support. (My experience with government grants is that the likelihood of receiving support is enhanced if the project can in no way serve mankind.) Gone are the days when scientists and engineers were beyond reproach. The reality is that today’s scientist/engineer is as corrupt as the lawyers society has come to detest. In any event, whichever theory one chooses to accept, it is clear that the issue is far from being resolved. Hopefully, unbiased, unadulterated science and not politics or fanatics will call the shots in the future.

On to the USEPA. The present problem that exists with the EPA is an intricate one, consisting of primarily five (5) main concerns:

1. Economically efficient measures are seldom, if ever, adopted, causing little progress in achieving environmental goals.
2. Data collection often has limitations, and when insufficient data is used for legislation, an ongoing string of amendments is attached.
3. The legal issues involving environmental problems have rocketed, brought on mainly by the complex legislation.
4. The EPA is presently primarily a legal organization that is serving the best interests of the law profession rather than the environment.
5. The EPA is presently a politically motivated organization.

Complicated legislation passed based on insufficient data is by no means a solution to the environmental problem. Costly control measures are taken, and in some cases, the public’s risk is increased. As noted, constant amendments are needed, often doing little to alleviate pollution. Regulations can only help if they are based on sound scientific data. When the legislation is unclear, lawyers are often brought in to “clarify” it. Instead, they usually complicate the problems further since lawyers are not trained in engineering and scientific methods.

When the EPA was formed in 1970, it was – in a very real sense – a technical organization. The Agency was manned primarily with engineers and scientists. Most of these individuals were dedicated to a common cause: correcting the environmental problems facing the nation and improving the environment. The problems these individuals tackled were technical, and there were little or no legal complications or constraints. The EPA was indeed a technical organization, run and operated by technical people, attempting to solve technical problems. Much was accomplished during these early years but something happened on the way to the Forum.

The present state of the EPA? Forty-five years later, the EPA is no longer a technical organization – it is now a legal organization. The EPA is no longer run by engineers and scientists. It is run and operated by lawyers. And, the EPA is no longer attempting to solve technical problems; it is now stalled in a legal malaise.

How in the world did this occur? It happened because EPA evolved into serving the best interest of the career bureaucrats in and out of Congress, most of whom are lawyers, and it happened because the technical and business community did nothing to stop it. The result is that this nation is now paying the price for an environmental organization with nearly 20,000 employees and an annual budget approaching ten billion dollars that is not serving the best interests of either the nation or the environment.

Interestingly, all of the administrators to the EPA have been lawyers. Though lawyers are required in every industry to help settle disputes over legalities, protecting the environment was previously beyond their scope. In the EPA today, for every three engineers, there is one lawyer; it is indeed (as described above) a legal organization, serving the legal profession and not the environment. Actual proposals for regulations and control, based on good scientific data, should be designed by scientists and engineers, or those who have come to be defined as problem solvers. They can analytically break down a problem, initially assess the damages, and then fix them.

Something has gone afoul. In our society, engineers are the problem solvers, but rarely the decision makers. Although the world known today has been called a product of engineering, engineers play a minor role in important decision making.

In 1995, the silver anniversary of the EPA, I was requested to submit an article outlining my thoughts on this twenty-five year old (at that time) organization. Five other articles were ultimately accepted for publication (Environmental Manager, 1, Nov. 1995). My article entitled, “Dissolve the USEPA … NOW!!!” preceded that by Bill Ruckelshaus, the first EPA Administrator, who also provided somewhat less than positive comments on the EPA. My thoughts today? It is a useless organization, run by career lawyer bureaucrats, that is not serving the best interests of not only our nation but also society in general. It should be dissolved.

NEXT POSTINGS: (tentative)
SEPTEMBER 1: On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXII
OCTOBER 1: On Barack Hussein Obama Update V
NOVEMBER 1: On Paying Student-Athletes III
DECEMBER 1: On Hofstra’s Men’s Basketball: 2015-16 Season

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Basketball Coaching 101

June 30, 2015

Since my eight-first birthday is a fleeting memory, what has become apparent is that a good part of my life is now limited to writing and basketball. That being the case, what would be more natural than for me to write a book on basketball, something I’ve dreamed about doing for years. After all, I’ve written over one hundred technical books (all of which have one thing in common–they don’t sell) and also recently launched my monthly newsletter (www.theodorenewsletter.com) that probably has an audience that, at last count, is approaching a dozen readers. In addition, I have been involved with basketball for over seventy years, part of which time involved playing, coaching, officiating, recruiting, and announcing as well as covering Hofstra men’s basketball the last nine years. In effect, all the ingredients were in place for the writing of a book on basketball coaching.

Since I have never played, coached or officiated basketball at the college or pro level, critics may claim that I am not qualified to write a book on coaching. They may be right. But I did serve as the coach of a local bar team–Killeen’s Tavern (I was part owner)–during the mid-1950’s to the mid 1960’s. Several of my players later played in the NBA, and some of them went on to successful coaching careers at the collegiate and pro levels.

Regarding the book, I was able to contact university presidents, athletic directors, coaches, officials (referees), announcers, journalists, recruiters, players, and yes, even fans, in my quest to write an authoritative book on basketball. Each was asked to detail their thoughts on the qualities a coach should possess to develop a winning and successful program. Hopefully, this approach either reduced or eliminated, or both, some of the trepidations of others regarding the quality of the book.

This is clearly not a book of fiction prepared by an author with an agenda; it is primarily a product of the aforementioned experts, written by these insiders with something more than firsthand experience. Their contributions helped make my dream of writing an informative book on coaching basketball a reality. And the title? You got it – BASKETBALL COACHING 101.

And who were these experts referred to above? The reader is introduced to each of the experts in the book. I categorized the experts into ten sets – starting with presidents and ending with fans. A separate chapter in the book is devoted to each of the above categories. Contacts with these so-called experts, e.g., Louie Carnesecca, Rollie Massemino, Bob Hurley, Sr., Mickey Crowley, Wally Rooney, Ray Lumpp, Vince Boryla, Danny Doyle, Jack Powers, Jay Bilas, Bill Raferty, Howie Garfinkel, Bob McKillop, etc., to name a few, were conducted via e-mail or phone or a face-to-face meeting, or some combination of these three information technology communication processes.

This is a very unique book in many respects because I made a decision to include more than just basketball coaching in the book. The book has it all: coaching hints/strategies to employ to achieve a successful and winning program, history of the game, reliving the fabulous 1950’s and 60’s, the aforementioned Killeen’s Tavern’s basketball team, the dark corrupt side of the NCAA, the disgraceful Joe Paterno saga, the future of the game, etc. And, there are also dozens of stories never told before, many of which I believe are hilarious.

Back to basketball coaching. If there were to be a summary analysis of important qualities a coach should possess, it would be–based on the contributions of the aforementioned experts–the following:

1. ability to recruit and retain top players;
2. superior organizational skills;
3. ability to develop team chemistry;
4. hire super assistant coaches;
5. knowledge of game;
6. dedicated work ethic;
7. a great motivator and a great communicator;
8. love of the game;
9. social/people skills;
10. leadership qualities;
11. ability to work with school administrators and the media;
12. concern for the players’ education and future;
13. ability to accept losses;
14. being a role model; and,
15. character builder.

Ranking the above in terms of importance can vary with the coach, the academic integrity of the school, the level of (Division) play, etc. However, I would rank the first ten qualities as the most important, particularly the first four. Details provided by the experts on these qualities and how a coach can help achieve these qualities are discussed in the book.

Below is a sample quote from Chapter 23, Part II, titled “On Paying Student-Athletes:

“In any event, here is the “paying S-A” situation as it exists today. At the college level, the coaches get paid millions and the players get paid nothing. At the next level, the coaches get paid millions but the players get paid many more millions. Intelligent and objective readers/fans should attempt to explain this dichotomy. This author provides the answer with four letters: NCAA.”

Finally, a few of the early reviews are already in.

1. Jack Powers (Former Executive Director, NIT): “The basketball world can now formally welcome to their midst one of the game’s brilliant strategist. His name is Dr. Lou Theodore, and his new book – Basketball Coaching 101 – has established him as one of the premier authorities in the game.”
2. Danny Doyle (Belmont Abbey/Detroit Pistons): “The annoying little creep first asked me to write a Foreword. Now he wants a review. Here’s my review: Don’t buy the book – he’d just lose any royalty money betting on horses. Yet, it is special and unique from my perspective. This basketball book is written by a legitimate authority without pulling any punches. It is a book for the basketball know-it-alls who are interested in coaching and/or coaching strategies. The back end of the book was touching and brought back yesterday’s memories of our guys.”
3. Louie Carnesecca (Retired coach): “This is an excellent and informative book on coaching strategies, written for all basketball coaches and fans.”
4. Bob McKillop (Basketball coach): “The numerous contributions from authorities in the field (including the author) on coaching strategies make this an invaluable resource for coaches.”
5. Marty Bunce (Former Executive Director, Boy’s Club of New York): “It’s a great basketball coaching book. I lived the Killeen’s era. But the key feature of the book is the NCAA material and the future of the sport. Lou is right. The NCAA‘s reign will soon be over. Their only hope of surviving is to accept that their cheating, lying and exploitation will end. I suggest that the NCAA hire Louie, Neal Gillen, Jay Bilas, and Jon Wagner to develop a solution to the SA problem that will make everybody even richer using Louie’s Delphi Panel Approach.”
6. Wally Rooney (Former NBA basketball official): “Basketball has come a long way. But Lou has somehow managed to capture both the history and the present state of the game. Kudos, Lou. This is a gem. An absolute delight. Beautifully written. Easy to read. Full of basketball information. Entertaining. Unique (an inverted triangle and two defense?). Funny. A winner in every respect.”
7. Jackie Ferrara (NYC cab driver, sports buff): “This is the book for the individual who wants to become an intelligent basketball fan and get a glimpse of the dark side of the NCAA. It took guts to provide a no-holds-barred discussion of the shameful marriage of convenience of Dean Smith, Boeheim, Izzo, Donovan, Pitino, Calipari, Valvano, etc., with the corrupt NCAA.”
8. Dr. John J. McKenna: “(Pres., ETS International): “A very funny book. This is definitely the best basketball book I have ever read. There is a decent chance that it is the best basketball book ever written.”
9. Robert Sansavarino (Mathematical Advisor, Checks & Balances, Inc.): “The book is no bargain. The basketball coaching stuff is OK but it needs more on the gambling aspect of the game.”
10. Alex Zouncourides (Former minor league baseball umpire, teamster rep): “The technical stuff wowed me. Every coach should read this book – it is loaded with information. Plus, I couldn’t stop laughing in spots.”
11. Rita D’Aquino (Former CEP senior editor): “An extraordinary work written basketball works will be judged.”

The book recently came off the press and is available for your scrutiny and possible reading pleasure/enjoyment(?). It costs $17.95 and can be purchased online at Amazon.com or Createspace.com.

NEXT POSTINGS: (tentative)
AUGUST 1: On Environmental Matters
SEPTEMBER 1: On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXII
OCTOBER 1: On Barack Hussein Obama Update V
NOVEMBER 1: On Paying Student-Athletes III
DECEMBER 1: On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2015-16 Season

Note: The East Williston Recreation Committee hosted a book signing for Basketball Coaching 101 in the Village Hall on Wednesday, June 17 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The packed house was well attended by family, friends, basketball aficionados, well-wishers, and many of the contributors to the book. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to talk about basketball and get their books signed. They also had the opportunity to imbibe in the refreshments that were served through the generosity of the E.W. Recreation Committee. Our thanks go to Caroline Debenedittis for all her help.

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On Memorial Day VII  

May 30, 2015

Well, what about Memorial Day?  It is a legal holiday, observed annually on the last Monday in May in honor of the nation’s armed services personnel killed in wartime.  Some claim that Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 on the order of Gen. John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead.  Others claim that Memorial Day was started by former slaves on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp; they reportedly dug up the bodies and worked for two weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom.

Every Memorial Day, I am reminded of a passage in a book (having read it five times) written by my favorite author.  The book: Tales of the South Pacific.   The author: James Michener.  Published: 1957.  Comment: A book every American should read.  In part of a passage, a young World War II soldier stationed in the South Pacific expresses his feelings on visiting a cemetery at Hoga Point.

“Before me lay the dead, the heroic dead who took the island.  Upon a strange plateau, on a strange island, in a strange sea, far from their farms and villages, they slept forever beside the lagoon which bore them to their day of battle…

If you sit at home and read that two hundred and eighty-one men died in taking an island, the number is only a symbol for the mind to classify.  But when you stand at the white crosses, the two hundred and eighty-one dead become men: the sons, the husbands, and the lovers…

Each man who lay there bore with him to his grave some promise for a free America.  Now they were gone.   Who would take their places?  Women?  Old men?  Or were those who lived committed to a double burden?  Theirs and the dead men.”

These words are inscribed on an Iwo Jima cemetery: “When you go home tell them and say – for your tomorrow we gave our today.”  On this Memorial Day, let us remember these words and remember the sacrifice made by the men and women who served our country in the past and those who are serving today.  The relentless passage of time makes it all too easy for some to allow the importance of Memorial Day to pass without a second thought.  For some, forgotten are the sacrifices of those who risked and lost their lives for our future and a better world.  Forgotten also are those who were asked to recover a few square yards of land.  Forgotten are those who never had a chance to love.  Forgotten also are those who didn’t give their lives for their country but had their lives taken away from them.

 

The history of war has been unkind to our country during my lifetime.  Nearly 300,000 Americans lost their lives during World War II (16 million served) with 5,000 sailors and 20,000 other servicemen paying the supreme sacrifice during the battle of the tiny island of Okinawa.  The Korean and Vietnam wars produced 34,000 and 47,000 American deaths, respectively.  Staggering numbers.  It has been reported that fewer are dying with the recent armed conflicts.  Statistically, the number appears to be going down but the trend will not register with those who lost a loved one.  How often do those in the reading audience give thanks for being an American? How often do we give thanks for our lifestyle – cars, TVs, restaurants, vacations, home(s), etc.?  And how often do people around the world give thanks for their present-day life-style?

But, who should we and those around the world give thanks to?  For some, the answer might be the bureaucrats, politicians, lawyers, etc.  For others, it might be doctors or engineers or scientists.  For me, thanks would be directed to those who have served or are presently serving in the defense of our great nation.  Today, approximately 1.5% of the 300,000,000+ U.S. citizens serve in the military.  One can only wonder how much thought is given to those who have not served.  Do they really understand the sacrifice by our men and women in the military?    I feel a pang of guilt every year when Memorial Day rolls around.  I am 81 years old and never served America.  The 81 years spanned four wars, including the present war on terrorism and yet, I did not serve.  Many others were not as fortunate.

The quality of our lives can be directly attributed to those special men and women who served bravely during those horrible periods discussed above.  Hopefully, each and every one of us can reflect on those sacrifices and become better human beings.  May kindness and understanding, rather than combat and hate, fill our lives in the days that follow so that we may truly celebrate life.

Happy Memorial Day to all.

 

NEXT POSTINGS:  (tentative)

JULY 1:                      On My Book

AUGUST 1:                On Environmental Matters

SEPTEMBER 1:         On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXII

OCTOBER 1:             On Barack Hussein Obama Update V

NOVEMBER 1:         On Paying Student-Athletes III

DECEMBER 1:          On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2015-16 Season

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Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

On East Williston School District Taxes

April 30, 2015

It’s not like me to report material from previous years, but the next several paragraphs appeared in 2014. I suggest the reader carefully note the contents before moving to more recent happenings. Here is what came down last May.

East Williston School District (EWSD) residents are annually requested to vote on a school budget and this year is no exception. Each voting member of the community will have an opportunity to either vote for or against the budget. Every parent, every senior, every taxpayer, and every youngster of voting age should consider what limited facts have been made available to them.

As many of you already know, I will vote NO on the budget. Why? I simply need to, once again, provide the readers with an earlier (2012) note delivered to Superintendent Kanas following a 1-hour meeting that year. Here is that unedited note:

Dear Dr. Kanas,

I believe that the following current problems are adversely affecting the East Williston School District (EWSD).

1. The per capita student cost is $30,000+/yr.
2. The student/teacher ratio is 9.75:1.0
3. The EWSD employs 21 secretaries.
4. There is rampant teacher absenteeism.
5. There is a failure of some students to attend the college/university of their choice.
6. The EWSD national ranking is in free-fall.
7. The school tax burden continues to increase despite reduced enrollment.
8. There is a lack of preparedness of some of the students for their post high school education.
9. There is a failure of the previous administration to, in accordance with the law, act on FOIL requests.

As a taxpayer and member of the EWSD community, I am requesting your assessment of the above nine problems, plus what steps you intend to take to either remove or reduce these problems. If a response is not received by October 1, 2012, I shall assume that you have concluded that there is no reason for concern. If you do respond, I would then appreciate a follow-up notification on the success/failure of your actions on or before December 31, 2012.

I await your response.

Guess what? Three years have passed, and I’m still waiting for a response. One simple question: Do I deserve a response? Both Kanas and the present Board have chosen to ignore my request. Yet, unlike Kanas and the Board members, I’ve dedicated my life to education, serving as not only a professor and administrator at the College level but also as a member of the Admissions Committee. I also continue to provide free advice to those senior students requesting guidance (apparently there is little to no meaningful guidance presently available at Wheatley) on university and career choices.

That was last year. Another year has passed and things really haven’t changed In fact, they’ve gotten worse. You want proof? Here is what the School Board’s appointed Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) reported in late March on the Board’s request that they provide an objective view on issues facing the District. Suprisingly(?), the FAC did an excellent job. Note, however, that the FAC acts only in an advisory capacity to the Board. In effect, the Board has the discretion to either implement or ignore the FAC’s recommendations. Please keep the word ignore in mind as you delve deeper into this article.

To no one’s surprise, the FAC concluded that there were two obstacles obstructing the EWSD’s path to success: wage and benefits growth.

Here are some specific conclusions from the FAC:

1. Funding for student programs and staff development initiatives continue to increase.
2. The budget and cost per student continues to increase.
3. The Board should explore if there is a positive correlation between spending and student achievement (of course, everyone already knows that there is no correlation).
4. Contractual costs continue to exceed the tax cap growth limits.
5. The budget growth exceeds both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) index.
6. The EWSD budget is growing faster than CPI & GDP due to the rate of increase of wage and benefit expenses.
7. EWSD wages and benefit costs are growing faster than the private sector (any reader think otherwise?).
8. Enrollment has declined approximately 7% from its peak and has been relatively flat recently (actually, it has decreased nearly 10% over the past 9 years).
9. Per student annual costs (approximately $33,000) have increased faster than the budget … and they have never decreased. This has to be shocking when compared to the average annual student cost for County public schools of $25,000 and County private schools of $15,000. Do parents and taxpayers truly understand this disparity?
10. Item (9) explains why the average (note the word average) teachers annual compensation is approaching $175,000.
11. Items (9) and (10) have produced a growth in compensation that is at least twice that of the private sector.

The above disturbing statistics are due to healthcare costs and retirement costs. The teachers only pay 20% of healthcare costs. Healthcare has caused a dramatic increase in the Post Employment Obligation Benefit (PEOB); this is an estimate of the cost to provide post-employment healthcare. This explosive growth would likely bankrupt a private company – and it did for General Motors. The only way to control this is to have employees pay a significantly higher portion of the healthcare costs. Retirement costs have risen from 0.0036% of salaries to approximately 13% of salaries. Thus, for an employee making $100K, these annual costs have risen from $360 to over $13,000. This is simply not sustainable. In the private sector where employees work for a living, the likely result would have been a reduction in salaries.

The FAC also provided a host of recommendations. However, here are two that are worthy of mention.

1. Limit wage growth and increase healthcare contributions.
2. Develop a framework to measure student achievement relative to costs.

Any chance the Board will take action on either of these two meaningful and critical recommendations? “Not hardly,” as John Wayne would put it. Let us not forget that the Board and Kanas are there to represent the teachers, not the taxpayers, seniors and children.

And where does the PTO fit into all of this? Forgive me, but it would be more appropriate to refer to them as TO since they do not represent the parents and their children. As I’ve said in the past, this is unfortunately an organization whose members are just uninformed, or lacking intelligence, or educator/teacher ideologs, or some combination of the three. Not a healthy situation

The teachers’ upcoming contract (salaries and benefits) is the next order of business. The mettle of the FAC will be tested at that time. I predict that the Board will, once again, disregard the reasonable recommendations of the FAC and “accommodate” the teachers at the expense of the parents, seniors and children. If they don’t, many of those who refer to themselves as teachers will go on the warpath as they did 25 years ago. They will, once again, be wearing black armbands, intimidating parents and students, claiming poverty, accusing the community of not caring about education, etc. In fact, they might even parade down to the EW train station at 3:00PM to demonstrate to those parents returning home from work. Last time, the teachers (many of whom are not that bright) were not aware that those who actually work for a living (5-days per week, 50 weeks per year) put in a full day (plus travel) – not a half day like teachers. A truly sad commentary on both past and present EWSD teachers considering the important influence they have on kids.

I conclude with three earlier comments, repeated for the reader’s benefit.

1. Dr. Kanas misrepresented herself when she applied for the position of Superintendent of the EWSD. I repeatedly brought this FACT to the attention of both the Board and PTO. And, guess what? Both ignored the comments regarding Kanas. You’d think that if Kanas had my professional pride, she would offer some response. But I know she can’t defend her earlier behavior. Others in sports, education, business, technology, etc., are automatically dismissed for this sort of conduct.
2. CONNED!!! That’s what has happened to the EWSD parents and taxpayers. They have been sold a bridge on the quality of education and the dedication of the teachers. They have simply been duped.
3. The turnaround will come when the community comes to realize that Board members – in almost every instance – are there for self-serving purposes. If they really cared about the kids, they would not move on once they have graduated. Think about past Board members who were so vociferous and outspoken about defending the status quo … a status quo that has resulted in higher taxes and a decrease in the quality of education.

The bottom line: It’s OK to vote NO on the budget. Don’t be a glutton for punishment. Stop being taken for a fool. Stop being an enabler for the EXPLOITERS on the Board and some PTO officers.

Lou Theodore

NEXT POSTINGS: (tentative)
JUNE 1: On Memorial Day VII
JULY 1: On My Book
AUGUST 1: On Environmental Matters
SEPTEMBER 1: On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXII
OCTOBER 1: On Barack Hussein Obama Update V
NOVEMBER 1: On Paying Student-Athletes III
DECEMBER 1: On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2015-16 Season

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On Paying Student-Athletes III

April 2, 2015

It’s the Big Dance. It’s the Final Four. It’s March Madness. It’s . . . could there be a better time to discuss the NCAA and the nagging issue of paying the so-called student-athletes? So, here we go again.

This is the author’s third article in this series following an article on March 1, 1999 titled “On Student-Athletes.” The first article (May 2, 2003) was titled “On Paying Student-Athletes.” The second and most recent article appeared five months ago and was titled “On Paying Student-Athletes II.” It would be reasonable to ask: Why the need for another article? Well, there is a need because of both the interest of the basketball community and the rapidly changing landscape on this subject. Here is a recap and some brief introductory material.

One phrase comes to mind when referring to the NCAA and it involves the present state of the NCAA. One need only refer to the classic statement of Lord Acton (John Emerich Edward Dalbery): “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I wonder if the good Lord was thinking of the NCAA when he first uttered these words. There is also a companion statement to the above: “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.”

The present role of the NCAA? It depends on whom you talk to. The NCAA would have you believe that they are God’s gift to both college sports and their so-called “student-athlete,” (SA). But there are many, including your author, who aren’t buying it. I described the NCAA earlier as “a corrupt organization that has perpetrated one of the biggest scams on an unsuspecting public.” In addition, in his book Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Exploiting College Athletes, former NCAA President Walter Byers describes the NCAA’s operation in the following manner. “Today the NCAA Presidents Commission is preoccupied with tightening a few loose bolts in a worn machine, firmly committed to the neo-plantation belief that the enormous proceeds from college games belong to overseers (administrators) and supervisors (coaches). The plantation workers performing in the arena may only receive those benefits authorized by the overseers.” WOW!!! And this from a former NCAA President who ought to know what’s going on. Today, the NCAA is standing firm: no pay for student-athletes.

It was Bill Bradley who once commented during an interview that “professional basketball is not a sport in the traditional sense – it is entertainment.” And entertainment is directly tied to business. And business is often tied to corruption. The games need to be entertaining and that usually requires competitive games. Blowouts are a no-no for attendance and (more importantly) TV ratings. And unfortunately, all the above has filtered down to the NCAA. Bottom line: The NCAA is in the business of making money – not improving the educational system or paying those individuals who deserve to be paid. Those who believe otherwise . . . well, I have a bridge to sell them.

It is fair to state that the main objectives of athletics is the development of not only the body but also the mind, heart, and soul. Higher institutions of learning may therefore be viewed as a participant in this development business. On the surface, much can be gained from college/university athletics. Unfortunately, the original principle of the Olympians has eroded over time, leaving in its wake a development business that is primarily in the business of making money; in effect, it has destroyed or at least tainted the earlier concept of athletics. Thus, one concludes that college/university athletics have become an integral part of an institution’s inner workings, and in particular, its bottom line. Schools have become hostages to athletics as the NCAA has evolved into a multi-billion dollar business. And, as we all have come to appreciate, with this kind of money comes the aforementioned corruption. Unfortunately, the NCAA has embraced this corruption.

And then there is the recent (2014) findings at the University of North Carolina regarding fake classes for approximately 1500 so-called SAs over a twenty-year period. Terms like “inflated grades,” “bogus classes,” and “shadow curriculum” were tossed around. As columnist Jon Wagner recently put it, “we are somehow outraged, even when we know all too well that winning and money often trump things like learning and the earning of degrees for top college athletics.” But, overall, there was shock to many in the media. Really? This is standard practice at most Division I schools, and when the president, athletic director, coach, assistant coaches, etc., all claim they didn’t know, they are either lying or deserve to be fired for ignorance and stupidity. Face facts: many of these SAs read and write at or below 6th grade level.

Guess what happened after the above UNC allegations surfaced: if you guessed – nothing – you would be right. Where is the university in all of this? Where is Roy Williams in all of this? Where is the Athletic Director in all of this? Where is the President in all of this? Where is the spokesperson for Dean Smith? Where are all the other coaches? And, where is the media in all of this? The key question I would ask: how could something like this not receive more attention in the media? They made a federal case out of a kid accepting a free burger. The answer is that there is simply too much money involved to upset the applecart. At this point in time, nobody knows who the guilty individuals are and exactly what Roy William’s role was.

And if it happened in Chapel Hill, it no doubt also happened in Durham. And in Syracuse. And in Gainesville. And in … after all, who’s kidding who? These coaches and their program/associates/accomplices are almost certainly guilty and complicit. As noted above, I have a bridge to sell those in the reading audience who don’t believe this statement is true.

Here is the latest on this SA academic integrity activity. The head of NCAA enforcement says academic misconduct has been on the rise in college athletics and his department is handling twenty open investigations. The cases involve both prospective and incoming athletes trying to become eligible for college competition, and enrolled athletes receiving impermissible assistance from university and athletic department personnel. Eighteen of the cases involve Division 1 schools. As Claude Rains once put it, “I’m shocked ….” Shocked? Given the NCAA policies, many of my colleagues in the basketball community have argued that institutions that don’t cheat are doing a disservice to their institution.

You want more? Syracuse University and Jim Boeheim had a case pending before NCAA Committee on Infractions regarding academics, drug policy, and improperly allowing certain players to practice. The penalty was severe and included a nine game suspension and the loss of twelve scholarships over four years. Boeheim graciously commented that “the universe is doing the right thing by acknowledging that past mistakes occurred.” The reader can be virtually certain they are still occurring at not only Syracuse but also at most other major programs.

Why is all of this still occurring when everybody knows about it? There is a simple answer to the question: there is so much money involved with so many people making so much money that no one wants to lose their piece of the pie, jeopardize their present position, and reduce/eliminate even future gains. The end result is that many presidents, ADs, coaches, media personnel, etc., sit idly by and allow it to occur. Simply put, for coaches, almost all – if not all – are cheating to some degree.

Who’s to blame now becomes the question. Most of the SAs are in 17-22 age range. Think back to that time in your life. If it happened to the author or the reader, no one would be surprised. After all, these SAs were no doubt told that they were part of a system that one could view this conduct as a “tradition.”

Face it. This sort of conduct has become a way of life in big-time programs. Everybody, and I mean everybody, has bought into this behavior where the SA is not paid his fair share. They are all complicit. Who is the responsible individual? One will have trouble trying to track down who this person is. It is just like what has happened and is happening at the federal level of government with the lies along with manipulative and deceitful behavior.

Can this conduct, particularly that of not paying SAs, be corrected? I believe that everybody should be held accountable. This includes the aforementioned coach, assistant coaches, AD, president, board members, players, secretaries, etc. The rule or policy should be that the complicit individual(s) are fired and/or dismissed.

In the meantime, the dance goes on . . . at least for now. But there will be a changing of partners in the near future. That is a given.

P.S. There was an interesting twist to this year’s NCAA Tournaments. Yale University (you can check their record) was as competitive as some of the teams that received at-large bids for March Madness and as competitive as nearly all of teams that reserved at-large bids for the NIT tournament. Yet, they weren’t selected even though they definitely deserved to be selected. Why? Some will say this is speculation but I firmly believe that it was based on Yale’s team consisting of legitimate student-athletes (SAs) while many of the aforementioned teams were primarily manned by athletes. Remember that Yale only played on weekends so that the games would not interfere with the players’ academic program. I believe the Yale team and its players are unquestionably an embarrassment to the NCAA. I therefore can’t blame the NCAA for not providing an opportunity for Yale student-athletes to complete against the athletes in the other programs; it would serve as another reminder that the NCAA is continuing to perpetrate the scam on the public of its student-athlete fantasy.

NEXT POSTINGS: (tentative)
MAY 1: On School Taxes
JUNE 1: On Barack Hussein Obama IV

1 Comment | East Williston, Economics, Education, Sports | Permalink
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On the SATs II

February 28, 2015

March 1, 2015

The past months brought two things to mind for many of our local high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. It is/was a time for those considering college to either take the SATs for the first time or improve earlier SAT scores.

Well, what does the SAT stand for? It is an acronym for Scholastic Aptitude Test. The SAT prior to 2005 was based on a maximum score of 1600. The current SAT scores can range from 600 – 2400; the score is based on three 800 point sections:

1. Mathematics
2. Critical reading
3. Writing

However, the College Board – who owns and operates the SAT – announced last year that it would revert back to the earlier 1600 maximum grade scale. Unfortunately, there is little sample material available for the new SAT that will debut in early 2016.

The previous paragraph provided a short history of the SAT. But the SAT, like environmental regulations and the Professional Engineering (PE) test, is a moving target. Thus, this article is primarily concerned with the new SAT, the SAT that will be employed starting in early 2016. Hopefully, this article should be primarily of interest to high school sophomore students and their parents. It should also be of some value to juniors and seniors.

There are seven key changes to the new SAT. The new test includes the following topics:

1. Relevant words
2. Applying available evidence
3. Analyzing an essay
4. Problem solving and data analysis (math)
5. Real world applications in science
6. History/social studies analysis
7. Formulating documents discussion/analysis

In addition, the wrong answer penalty has been removed.

Although I believe the above are positive changes, there are two topics that should be introduced and expanded upon – communication skills and solving/addressing open-ended problems. Details on both these subject matters follow.

Communication skills need no introduction. More than anything else, both technical and business personnel in the future will have to be able to communicate both orally and in writing. There is an old saying that a graduate from an Ivy League university can’t count and an MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) graduate can’t read or write. But today, successful individuals must be able to express themselves in both oral and written communication. Technical and business ability is of little use if one cannot transmit ideas to others. In addition, the major contact one has with other administrators of an organization who can determine raises and promotions is through written communication. Oral and written communications are therefore important in all fields. Well, what about the word communication? Communication has been defined by some as an act of expressing ideas, especially in speech and writing, by others as an act of transmitting ideas or information, and still others, as an exchange of information or messages by speech, writing, and so on. The word oral implies something uttered by mouth, spoken, or involving the use of speech, while the word written is defined as an expression recorded in a readable format, such as books or other literary material, or an idea that is “put into writing or written form.” What does the above mean? Communication is important, particularly in today’s high-technology and Internet environment.

In terms of introducing open-ended problems, the cliché of the creative individual has unfortunately been aptly described throughout history – the Einsteinian wild hair, being locked in a room for days at a time, mumbling to oneself, eating sporadically, being lost in a fog of conflicting thoughts, not paying attention to one’s hygiene, working diligently until those times when the “light goes on” moment of discovery, etc. It is no secret that technical and business personnel in the future will have to be innovative and creative in order to succeed in the corporate world. In effect, the leaders of tomorrow must be problem-solvers as they face critical decisions in solving complex problems. The education process should provide assistance in making better decisions using analytical skills. One approach to developing one’s ability to solve unique problems is by employing “open-ended” approaches. Although the term “open-ended” has come to mean different things to different people, it basically describes an approach to the solution of a problem/situation for which there is usually not a unique solution and/or where there is little to no information available to assist in the solution.

Back to the new SAT. Will the new changes make positive difference even without communication and creative material? I believe it will, but the jury is still out. Here are some negative and positive features.

What’s the downside on the SATs?
1. The exam is primarily important to a small number of top students and overachievers who are attempting to gain entrance to a particular school, usually a prestigious one.
2. The SATs can demoralize those students who might be described as marginal.
3. The SATs essentially forced many institutions early on to accept affirmative action rather than equal opportunity when many minorities could not “cut the mustard.”
4. Many students have become so frightened of the tests that they cannot perform up to their true potential.
5. Students of wealthy parents consistently outperform their counterparts. This may be due to the fact that they have the financial means to take expensive SAT prep courses.
6. Scores on the SATs also vary with ethnic background. And, the variation is statistically significant.
7. Many high school students live in a world in which they distrust the education system; they essentially have no confidence in the procedures that are in place.
8. There has been an overemphasis to teach not for the purpose of learning but rather to score well on the SAT.
9. The speed-oriented nature of the test adversely affects “slow” exam takers.
10. Finally, there is the claim that the exams do not truly test a student’s ability to succeed in either life or business.

What’s the upside of the SATs?
1. Most educators feel that the tests are necessary.
2. Some students also feel the tests are necessary.
3. There is a need to properly interpret and evaluate a student’s ability to handle traditional course work at the college and/or university level.
4. At exam time, everyone has the same shot, particularly because of the multiple-choice nature of the exams. The grading is truly objective.
5. With reference to (4), since most of the scoring is drawn from multiple choice questions, subjective grading is minimized.

I feel the SAT serves as a common denominator for all students and should be retained as a requirement. My advice to parents and students at or below the eleventh grade is to review as many earlier (sample) tests as possible. As Bob Morgan Jr. wrote in his February 23, 2001 (fourteen years ago) Litmor column: “The SAT is at best an imperfect measuring stick, and it seems likely that test scores can be improved by coaching. Nevertheless, the SAT does have the very important virtue of being an objective and uniform measure, with substantive correlation to college achievement that is uninfluenced by admissions politics and other extraneous considerations.” My only comment here, after fifty earlier years in the academic arena, is that the SAT and grade point averages (GPAs) at the college level serve as a weak correlation with the degree to which a student will succeed later in life.

So, if not the SATs, what then? A tough question to answer. It appears that they are the best indicators we have to determine whether students have the necessary foundation of skills to compete at the next level. Thus, until something better comes along, the SATs continue to deserve their day in court.

Finally comes the course of study. I would suggest either an engineering (preferably) or science program if one is to integrate oral and written communication, so-called critical thinking, and analytical reasoning in order to acquire the complex skills to succeed in the future. In effect, students need to become problem solvers . . . but, I don’t think too many schools deliver on their website promise to “foster creative thinking.”

Lou Theodore

NEXT POSTINGS: (tentative)

APRIL 1: On Paying Student – Athletes III
MAY 1: On School Taxes
JUNE 1: On Barack Hussein Obama IV

1 Comment | East Williston, Economics, Education, School Board | Permalink
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