Hello to the readers of this forum. I happened on this a while ago and figured that I would register to chime in from time to time. I also joined to pose a few questions.
Currently a senior at UH, I'll be graduating this upcoming fall with a degree in creative media.
However, I've allotted myself a year or two, once my education is completed, to chase a pipe dream of coaching college basketball. As ridiculous as it may be to some, I am aware of the low job pool, necessary networking, miniscule pay and sacrifices that need to be made throughout the year by assistants; while one progresses the hierarchy. I understand that I do not have the best chances. I'd like to focus on what I can do with what I have. More importantly what steps I can take to achieve this.
As mentioned previously, my basketball experience is limited to high school. However, I do feel I am a student of the game and I do feel I have a good grasp of basketball fundamentals, rules and do possess coaching experience with youth up to 13 years of age. I have coached recreation basketball in the past at the Newtown Rec. Center in Aiea for seasonal basketball sessions. Growing up I also attended Kalakaua clinic for 5 or 6 sessions. As a child I remember going to a lot of Iolani Classics to watch Iolani/Punahou/Kamehameha/Mainland Schools, I remember watching Nate James at Oak Hill and making trips around the island to watch an Alika Smith or Kawika Tano with my father. He tried to showcase talent and skills that he did not have the capacity to teach.
My questions that I pose, hopefully to be answered by board vets (judging from a handful of posts, 2Dhoops, BasketballJones, to name a few), actually anyone, with any knowledge, that could help me are as follows.
I am currently volunteering this summer at Kalaheo High School with Mr. Furtado in a very limited assistant capacity (still not certain of my involvement aside from watching and taking notes, possibly more, but I'll at least be able to observe from a relatively close proximity). I am also trying to get a spot at the UH Men's Basketball Summer Camp as a camp counselor, or heading to the Big Island to partake in a similar role with Hawaii Island Hoops summer camp.
With my ultimate goal to be attaining a graduate assistant position upon my exit from UH at any University that offers a master's in education program, what other steps could I take to achieve this that I may be overlooking?
**I have already inquired at all local colleges here and on the Big Island regarding graduate assistant positions, however have only received e-mail back from HPU saying that they are full for the foreseeable future.
Are there any ex/current coaches on this board who have previous college or high school coaching experience?
For your courtesy and time I sincerely thank you. I do hope to discuss other topics with you all in the future.