Head Coach Needed

[thecoolestjedi12]

 

Typical of Chicago to be windy at a time like this, the paper blew around me as raced after it. This paper was the key to unlock the necessary changes to my new life here in Chicago after dropping out of Wisconsin and moving on from the state all together. After bumping into a few rushing pedestrians, I found the golden ticket that almost blew away from me. It read:

 

Head Coach Needed

 

Chicago State University

 

Cougars Men Basketball for the 1980-1981 Season

 

Applications/Interviews to be taken and conducted at 4 p.m. in the CSU Library.

[thecoolestjedi12]

Interview Day

 

 

May 1st, 1980

3:45 P.M.

Chicago State University Library

 

I walked in with a pretty confident head, my other rivals weren't too confident and one seemed to miss the no shirt, no shoes, no service sign. I picked a seat that was pretty far from the rest of the pack, but still found myself close to a person who wanted to talk a bit too much. ''U ready for this?'' He asked, his breath smelled of week old coffee and a very strong cologne. ''As ready as I can be.'' I hoped my quick response would discourage further conversation, but he instead went on to talk about coaching and his last job and other interviews he has lined up. My name was called, but I was already hearing about his Aunt Nelly.

 

The actual interview was a rousing success, Athletic Director, David Quamos outlined his plans for the program and his need for a young coach with fresh ideas, which I was a 20 year old dropout with some Top flight High School Ball ability. He looked me over with a sense of respect and told me I was hired, starting today I was the head coach of Chicago State University Men's athletic team.

[thecoolestjedi12]

<p>1980-81 Season Team</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Charles Montemayor, Center, Senior</strong></p><p>

Major: Computer Science</p><p>

Academics: Above Average student</p><p>

</p><p><strong>

Linwood Stahl, Center, Sophmore</strong></p><p>

Major: Spanish</p><p>

Academics: Middle of the road kid</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Herman White, Center, Senior*</strong></p><p>

Major: Biology</p><p>

Academics: Above Average</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>James Gonzales, Power Forward, Sophmore</strong></p><p>

Major: Arts</p><p>

Academics: Good</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Charles Ramos, Power Forward, Freshmen</strong></p><p>

Major: Spanish</p><p>

Academics: Cut some classes and failed a few</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Devin Rodriguez, Power Forward, Junior*</strong></p><p>

Major: Computer Science</p><p>

Academics: Should not be in enrolled in academics</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Wade Rickart, Small Forward, Senior*</strong></p><p>

Major: Physics</p><p>

Academics: Genius</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Colin Dobson, Small Forward, Senior</strong></p><p>

Major: History</p><p>

Academics: D for Dummy</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Bret McBroom, Small Forward, Freshmen*</strong></p><p>

Major: Chemistry</p><p>

Academics: Great </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Chris Perez, Shooting Guard, Freshmen*</strong></p><p>

Major: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication</p><p>

Academics: Good</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Grant Pabon, Shooting Guard, Senior</strong></p><p>

Major: Art</p><p>

Academics: Average</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Herbert Danner, Shooting Guard, Sophmore</strong></p><p>

Major: Music History</p><p>

Academics: Very Good</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Edward Monitero, point Guard, Junior*</strong></p><p>

Major: Music History</p><p>

Academics: Average</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Charles Potts, point Guard, Junior</strong></p><p>

Major: Liberal Arts and Humanities</p><p>

Academics: Below Average</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Gennadi Irbe, Point Guard, Freshmen</strong></p><p>

Major: English</p><p>

Academics: Very Good</p>

[thecoolestjedi12]

<p>Kenneth Peterson</p><p> </p><p>

July 1st, 1980</p><p>

Tuesday</p><p>

Office of Terry Brooks</p><p>

<span>http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/depa/sports/genrel/auto_player/11490570.jpeg</span></p><p> </p><p>

It was a small compact office, littered with various basketball logos around the wooden walls and small scratches that gave away to wear and tear over the years. The corners of the room were filthy and would definitely need some cleaning before I even stepped foot over to a whiteboard located at the exact location a Spider's web was locked in. It needed work of course, but this was our new home for the season and hopefully a place where we could set Chicago state up as a contender. The chair felt nice and comfortable as I finally set down, looking over the sheet given to me by our Assistant coach who seemed more at home around computers than checkboards and blackboards. A knock on the door occurred as I asked fro them to come in. </p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="happy-nerd-with-thumbs-up-picture-id187068227?k=6&m=187068227&s=612x612&w=0&h=aDwIJ-zM9XwdGXh1m-LhUZURS1SGars6D_nf1PGR6I8=" data-src="https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/happy-nerd-with-thumbs-up-picture-id187068227?k=6&m=187068227&s=612x612&w=0&h=aDwIJ-zM9XwdGXh1m-LhUZURS1SGars6D_nf1PGR6I8=" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

In entered my Assistant coach, Deandre Jordan. He stumbled over a few words as he looked to push some papers on his desk. I waited until he finally blurted out the words Kenneth Peterson.</p><p> </p><p>

A 6'8, 213 Lbs Center out of Bartlett High School who was the #123 player in the nation according to most scouts and the dimwit from our staff. The kid was getting some attention from Wisconsin, Northwestern, Illinois-State. The mid major teams and some major teams, but still held interest for us for some unknown reason. I pulled up my cell and today was the day we got to work.</p>

[thecoolestjedi12]

<p>Chapter 5: The MotherLoad</p><p> </p><p>

July 5th, 1980</p><p>

11:45 a.m.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/depa/sports/genrel/auto_player/11490570.jpeg</span></p><p>

''Hello, Is this Kenneth Peterson?''</p><p>

There was a small second of silence before a more feminine voice spoke, confirming that Kenneth wasn't home and I was instead hitting the jackpot, his own mother. She told me of Kenneth being out with some friends playing hoops and asked me if she should take the message. </p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://www.thegreenrooms.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Phone-for-a-free-consultation.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

I tell her of course and let her know this is the head coach of the Chicago State Men's Basketball team as she goes onto talk about how many calls she receives. That isn't good as I try to switch the subject to our school and the importance of a education in today's changing world. She agrees and asks me about myself and we spend the next hour or so chatting as she tells me stories about Kenneth as a child and her family's history of attending Chicago State. I finally let her know to rely my call to her son and she agrees as she hangs up. We are in, this was the key to the heart of a three star prospect from the area who hasn't received any other offers.</p>

[thecoolestjedi12]

<p>Chapter 6: The Visit</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="campusmap.jpg" data-src="https://www.csu.edu/locator/images/campusmap.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

August 7th, 1980</p><p>

12:00 P.M.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Kenneth arrived with a few buddies who made some fun faces and called the man a big baller from getting all the special attention and treatment from colleges. We prepared for a few days to do this, making sure the campus was good, clearing out anyone who looked to interrupt this amazing meeting between us and Kenneth. He looked pretty impressed as he shook my hand and remarked on the nice view of the campus. That was one plus for sure, but honestly not the last. I had a few of the players help carry his bags and make sure his entourage was accommodated for. He followed me as we guided him through a very informative guide of the school.</p><p> </p><p>

'' Here is our-'' A loud scream interrupted my talk as a group of shirtless frat boys ran through Kenneth's group trailing behind the boys were some angry females who still had towels wrapped around them. Kenneth's group hooted and hollered, but Kenneth himself looked confused and out of place. I simply talked about how they were doing the annual Men Vs. Women sprint practice which didn't seem to convince anyone, especially myself. Kenneth got a call and I knew it was Depaul from the way he lit up, he asked to cut the tour short and thanked us for the visit. I hung my head in disappointment as we didn't even get to show him the court and some of my finest players practicing.</p>

[thecoolestjedi12]

Chapter 7: Nursed to Health

 

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/depa/sports/genrel/auto_player/11490570.jpeg

 

Deandre brought me the scouting report on our second heavily pursued recruit, Kenneth Nurse. A defensive minded Small Forward with a free throw shot and three star overall prospect had us top of his list and we already offered him a scholarship here. He looked like a sure deal and Deandre was beyond proud of himself for arranging the meeting with Kenneth that ensured the Small Forward would see as as his number 1 school. I let him know he did do a good job and he left my office to probably go live up this moment everything.

 

I put my feet up and looked over the scouting report again before drifting off into a small nap, something I haven't gotten in ages since recruit season started. This has been a decent period, two three star prospects who fit what I need and a team that could desperately use some fresh faces and dominant arrivals.