Courtside Culture

Jeremy Sanchez is a Point Guard on the Cleveland State University basketball team that just had its best season in years. It ended with a share of the regular season title, a Horizon League Tournament title, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. In this episode, Jeremy talks about the team culture established by Coach Dennis Gates propelled his journey from walk-on to starter to "Bench Captain" and then being counted on the most when the team started to see their championship hopes slip away.

Jeremy is the player Coach Gates turned to spark his team in the most critical moment of the season. It's a story every player should hear. And his answer to what's the coolest may surprise you. It's not playing in Assembly Hall in the NCAA Tournament.

Twitter- Jeremy Sanchez: @jeremysanchez19

Twitter- Cleveland State Basketball: @CSU_MBasketball

Twitter- North Ridgeville High School Basketball: @NRboysBBALL

Twitter Dave: @grizzer21

Twitter Podcast: @courtsidepod1

Denny English has coached and directed recruiting for AAU teams in Wisconsin, Texas, Georgia and Ohio at the high school level. He shares his thoughts on building team culture in an AAU program and within teams. Has an inspiring message for parents, and during "What's the Coolest?", he tells us that he played/coached in two of the coolest venues on the planet.

Twitter- Denny English: @gopack92

Twitter Dave: @grizzer21

Twitter Podcast: @courtsidepod1

Not only is Coach Lewis Shine a consultant in the Hoop Heads Mentorship Program, but he’s also held various titles in the professional, collegiate, high school and junior high ranks. And now he hosts clinics for coaches to not only break down the x's and o's of the game, but he's helping to build team cultures by coaching communications. In this episode, he explains the importance of gaining trust in your players and always making sure they understand "The Why?" He also plays "What's the Coolest?" and has an inspirational answer when I ask him "What's the first app you check in the morning?", during "First Things Last."

Twitter- Coach Lewis Shine @LewisShine

Twitter Dave: @grizzer21

Twitter Podcast: @courtsidepod1

cm5vdPyXxvWOkZsEaoEC

Beth Andrews is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at John Carroll University. She took over a very successful program, and didn't miss a beat her first season. Her team won the conference title and she was named "Coach of the Year." So, how did she do it? She credits the culture she established from the first day she was hired.

Twitter- John Carroll Women's Basketball: @JohnCarroll_WBB

Twitter Dave: @grizzer21

Twitter Podcast: @courtsidepod1

The Assistant Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Basketball Team at Fairview High School in Fairview Park, Ohio James Ranc (pronounced rantz) talks about what assistant coaches should be doing when it comes to building team culture. He has also shared a 3-bullet point list that contains advice every assistant coach needs to hear. And his answer to "What's the coolest place you've ever played, coached or watched a game" is the best one we've had so far.

Twitter

Coach: @Coach_Ranc

Program: @FPHS_Basketball

Dave: @grizzer21

Podcast: @courtsidepod1

The Head Coach of the Girls Varsity Basketball Team at Cleveland High School in Clayton, North Carolina, Robby White joins Dave Grendzynski to talk about building team culture in the offseason. He has a very unique way of doing it that involves a point system and teaches the girls life lessons at the same time.

Twitter:

Coach Robby White: @CoachRWhite94

Program: @ClevelandNCWBB

Dave: @grizzer21

Podcast: @courtsidepod1

Colin Boldin is finishing up his high school career. A three-sport athlete, and multiple varsity letter winner, Colin is now a Mental Health Advocate for student-athletes. He's hoping that other kids and their parents can learn from his story, which has a very happy ending.

Twitter- Colin Boldin: @colinboldin

Instagram: @colinboldin

Twitter Dave: @grizzer21

Twitter Podcast: @courtsidepod1

Former psychologist for the Cleveland Cavaliers and current Cleveland Clinic psychologist, Dr. Scott Bea has advice for coaches of any sport on ways to implement positive psychology into their coaching style. He also offers advice to players and parents who may be struggling with a negative coach.

Twitter

Dr. Bea: @ClevelandClinic

Dave: @grizzer21

Podcast: @courtsidepod1

The Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Basketball Team at Olmsted Falls High School, Chris DeLisio joins Dave to talk about building a good team culture. He explains why he thinks culture cultivates winning and what parents can do to have a significantly positive effect on a program and contribute to the wins on the court.

Coach: @ofbasketball @OFalls_Bulldogs

Dave: @grizzer21

Podcast: @courtsidepod1

Dave is joined by the Head Coach of the girls' varsity basketball team at North Ridgeville High School, Amy Esser. Coach Esser talks about how building a good team culture helped her team overcome adversity and carried them to the District finals in the OHSAA playoffs. She also has some great advice for parents, and the last thing we talk about are some of Coach Esser's "firsts." We call it "First Things Last."

Twitter:

Dave: @grizzer21

Amy: @NRHSGirlsBball

Champions For Life: @NRHSChamp4Life

@courtsidepod1