Freshmen Fundamentals 2016
BIG EAST Hosts Second Annual Freshmen Fundamentals
NEW YORK – “This is not just about basketball,” said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman, “it’s about you as a person.”
The BIG EAST Conference hosted its second annual Freshmen Fundamentals Sept. 24-25, a program designed to educate and assist men’s basketball student-athletes in the transition from high school to the elite level of BIG EAST basketball on and off the court.
Stu Jackson, Senior Associate Commissioner for Men’s Basketball, told the group of 26 freshmen, “Our objective is to provide opportunities for you to learn and interact with a group of professionals to help set you on a path that will help you through college and beyond.”
Saturday’s program began with a Personal Brand Presentation by DeNita Turner, President and CEO of Image Builders, Inc. Turner, who also spoke at last year’s program, conducted an interactive session designed to create a positive personal image. One of her messages was, “Don’t be average.”
A panel of former BIG EAST players spoke of their college experiences and offered some advice to the group. Felipe Lopez, who played at St. John’s in the late 90s and currently works as an ambassador for the NBA and runs some community outreach in his hometown Bronx. One of his messages was to show interest in others outside the immediate basketball family and don’t waste a minute of your four years because it will go faster than you think.
Former Georgetown forward Nate Lubick, who graduated in 2014 and works in New York’s financial world, urged the freshmen to be self-motivated and make it a routine to ask for help whenever you need it. Daniel Ochefu, who played on Villanova’s 2016 national championship team, told the players to figure out what is necessary to succeed academically and athletically and not to get sidetracked when facing some inevitable obstacles along the way.
David Broden, President of Broden Communications, returned from last year to deliver a media training session. The players took part in mock press conferences and learned ways to get your intended message no matter the situation.
Saturday’s sessions ended with a presentation by former NBA coach Mike Fratello, who works as a television analyst for NBA games. Among his messages, was to relay the personal attributes, on and off the court, NBA coaches are looking for in potential prospects. He told the players they control their own reputations.
The day ended with a trip to the 9/11 Museum followed by dinner.
On Sunday, the players heard from two executives from FOX Sports, the BIG EAST’s television partner. Coordinating producer Bardia Shah-Rais took the players through the amount and level of coverage FOX provides BIG EAST basketball. Steve Scheer, the lead producer for BIG EAST games, spoke of the special access elements of FOX’s coverage and urged the players to get to know to the broadcasters on game days.
The players took a short bus ride to Madison Square Garden, home of the BIG EAST Tournament, and got a tour of the building. Joel Fischer, MSG’s Executive Vice President of Marquee Events and Operations, said there is nothing like a BIG EAST game in front of a sellout crowd and that the BIG EAST Tournament is his favorite event.
Freshmen Fundamentals concluded with a talk from Tarik Turner, a former St. John’s player, who has enjoyed a successful professional career in finance and serves as a television analyst for FOX Sports. He urged the players to get to know people outside of athletics, including professors and alumni. Turner, who also hosted Saturday’s former player panel, had a St. John’s alumnus help him at the start of his professional career. He told the freshmen that there is no reason to wait to implement a personal networking plan.
The BIG EAST players enjoyed their weekend in New York.
“The food was great,” quipped Villanova’s Dylan Painter. “It was a good eye-opening experience. We always hear about getting ready for life after basketball, but these guys actually went through it. It told us what’s to come after basketball.”
“The whole experience was great,” said DePaul’s Levi Cook. “It covered all of the aspects of basketball. I’m very appreciative.”
Blue Demon teammate Devin Gage, like many of the players, was making his first trip to New York. “I enjoyed interacting with the other players,” he said. Both players said they enjoyed making the trip to the 9/11 Museum.
Marquette’s Markus Howard added, “It was great and a different way of seeing some of New York City. I just wanted to represent Marquette basketball the best I could.”