Ubuntu, Ubuntu, Ubuntu
By Martha Bebinger
Listen to story (Real Audio)
Celtics Coach Doc Rivers, during Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers in Boston. (AP)
BOSTON, Mass. - June 10, 2008 - Sports quiz time. Can you name the Boston Celtics' new rallying cry? It's something the team chants...not the fans.
The word is "Ubuntu." It comes from the Bantu languages of Southern Africa and means, loosely, "I am because of you."
WBUR's Martha Bebinger explores how this concept is defining this Celtics team.
TEXT OF STORY:
MARTHA BEBINGER: The men in green chant Ubuntu in the locker room before games, wear it on practice t-shirts and wrist bands and refer to it slogan when it really counts.
GAME ANNOUNCER: Certainly not the sight Celtics fans want to see, Paul Pierce in a lot of pain.
BEBINGER: While Pierce is carried off the floor in game 1 of the finals, Celtics coach Doc Rivers calls the rest of the team together.
DOC RIVERS: What did the guy from South Africa say about adversity, nothing can get you down. That's why we play 12 guys, alright. Let's beat this team.
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU: In our country we've got something called ubuntu, ubuntu, ubuntu, ubuntu.
BEBINGER: This is Archbishop Desmond Tutu explaining the concept during a lecture to college students last year.
TUTU: In our culture, there is no such thing as a solitary individual. I want you to be all you can be, because that's the only way I can be all I can be.
BEBINGER: Coach Rivers adopted ubuntu at the beginning of this season after a colleague suggested it and Rivers read some of Tutu's work. Boston Globe Sports writer Marc Spears says Rivers needed a way to unify a team with a lot of new players and 3 superstars.
MARC SPEARS: It's given them something to become a unit, to become a family, to put all their egos aside. And I think it's that mentality that has helped them get to where they are right now.
BEBINGER: Not just the mentality, the word has become part of Celtics culture, says former Celtics forward and current commentator Cedric Maxwell.
CEDRIC MAXWELL: If they're playing cards right now, you'll hear one of them go ubuntu dog, so you know they joke about it, but you know they want to win.
BEBINGER: Maxwell, who was the MVP when the Celtics won the NBA championship in 1981, says ubuntu helps Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce focus on a common goal.
MAXWELL: None of the big 3 last year made the playoffs. So as players, sometimes they're like kids, they look for themes, they look for concepts that are going to bring them closer together.
BEBINGER: While Ubuntu may be important to the team...most fans don't know it.
BEBINGER: Have you heard of Ubuntu, the team's slogan? I have not, no, the who, no, no, no at all.
BEBINGER: Outside the Garden, before Sunday's "near miss" I get 37 confused looks before I find Ed O'Neill and Suzanne Nevins from Connecticut.
SUZANNE NEVINS AND ED O'NEILL: I hadn't heard it until he told me, told you what, the ubungo thing, that means oh, that's right. Ubuntu. That means, we're together, we're a team. That's what we're here for. It's not a one on one thing. Not like, we got the big Kobe guy. No, we got big 3, no we got the big 5, no we got the big 12.
BEBINGER: The Celtics aren't marketing ubuntu. There is at least one unofficial t-shirt on line that merges the old and the new...black and white hands clashed over a shamrock with ubuntu in bold letters. Sports Promoter Stephen Brown says it might be best to leave ubuntu alone, for now.
STEPHEN BROWN: At least for this series; if it's a private moment within the team, that shouldn't be commercialized.
BEBINGER: At least, says Brown, until the Celtics give the OK.
So for tonight, Celtics fans will stick with the well known refrain... Beat LA.
For WBUR, I'm Martha Bebinger.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Team Strong
Introducing Team Strong! Kasie and Ryan are leaving for Germany today. Last night we had a little dinner at home with the family to wish them Good Luck. Also, next week is Kasie's and Ryan's first Wedding Anniversary so we also had a champagne toast too.
Team Strong will be back together next spring after Ryan's hockey season at Rosenheim for the Starbulls.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Bantam 3 Goalie Needed in Chelmsford!
BANTAM 3 GOALIE NEEDED! If you are a Bantam 3 goalie in search of a team for the 2008-09 season, look no further than the Chelmsford Hockey Association. The Chelmsford Bantam 3 team will be playing 45 league games in the Valley Hockey League and will also be participating in two tournaments during the season. The team will practice an average of two times per week and there is also a goalie clinic available every other week during the season. A tuition credit will be provided for this position. Interested players should contact the CHA's Coaching Director via email at coaching@chelmsfordhockey.com.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch and his words of wisdom
Kasie brought out a book to the family room to read. "Do you think Kyle would read this?" she asked as she showed me the book. The book was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Clarke said, "He died today." Kasie and I spoke simultaneously as we looked wide eyed at each other, "How weird is that?" We knew he was dying but something in us still didn't believe it would really happen. Today, when we were seeking words of wisdom to share with my teenaged son, even though Randy was gone, his words washed upon our shore.
Randy said in his book that he was disappointed to not have the opportunity to be around for his children when they are teenagers. He said he felt he would just be coming into his own as a father by then and really looked forward to the challenge.
And I thought of the brick wall he talked about... "The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people."
I want my son to be happy and healthy. I want it badly. No brick wall will stop me from trying.
Randy, thank you for your words of wisdom on a day we needed them. Your bottle washed up on our shore. We picked it up, read it and now toss it back for others to find.
An Enduring Legacy
Randy Pausch Inspired Millions
Randy Pausch, the professor at Carnegie Mellon University who inspired countless students in the classroom and others worldwide through his highly acclaimed last lecture, has died of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 47.
Also a Carnegie Mellon alumnus, Pausch co-founded the Entertainment Technology Center and led researchers who created Alice, a revolutionary way to teach computer programming. He was widely respected in academic circles for a unique interdisciplinary approach, bringing together artists, dramatists and designers to break new ground by working in collaboration with computer scientists.
Outside the classroom, he gained public fame for delivering what would come to be known as "The Last Lecture." On Sept. 18, 2007, only a month after doctors told him that he had three-to-six months to live following a recurrence of pancreatic cancer, he presented a lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" to a packed auditorium at Carnegie Mellon.The moving and often humorous talk recounted his efforts to achieve such childhood dreams as becoming a professional football player, experiencing zero gravity and developing Disney World attractions. In the process, he shared his insights on finding the good in other people, working hard to overcome obstacles and living generously."If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself," Pausch said. "The dreams will come to you."The video appeared on countless websites and has been viewed by millions. Appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC's Good Morning America and the CBS Evening News followed.A book version, "The Last Lecture" co-written by Jeff Zaslow of the Wall Street Journal (and a fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus), became a best-seller upon its release this spring."Randy had an enormous and lasting impact on Carnegie Mellon," said Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon. "A brilliant researcher and gifted teacher, he was a key member of our Human-Computer Interaction Institute and co-founder of the Entertainment Technology Center. His love of teaching, his sense of fun and his brilliance came together in the Alice project, which teaches students computer programming while enabling them to do something fun — making animated movies and games. Carnegie Mellon — and the world — are better places for having had Randy Pausch in them."Pausch was also a pioneer in the development of virtual reality, including creating the popular Building Virtual Worlds class.A memorial service at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is being planned; details will be announced at a later date.He is survived by his wife, Jai, and three children: Chloe, Dylan and Logan. The family requests that donations on his behalf be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, or to Carnegie Mellon's Randy Pausch Memorial Fund, which the university will use primarily to support continued work on the Alice project.
For more information on Randy's life and legacy, read In Memoriam: Randy Pausch, Innovative Computer Scientist at Carnegie Mellon, Launched Education Initiatives, Gained Worldwide Acclaim for Last Lecture.
Related Links: Watch Randy's Lecture on YouTube About Randy's Last Lecture Download Randy's Lecture on iTunes U Buy the Book
Randy said in his book that he was disappointed to not have the opportunity to be around for his children when they are teenagers. He said he felt he would just be coming into his own as a father by then and really looked forward to the challenge.
And I thought of the brick wall he talked about... "The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people."
I want my son to be happy and healthy. I want it badly. No brick wall will stop me from trying.
Randy, thank you for your words of wisdom on a day we needed them. Your bottle washed up on our shore. We picked it up, read it and now toss it back for others to find.
An Enduring Legacy
Randy Pausch Inspired Millions
Randy Pausch, the professor at Carnegie Mellon University who inspired countless students in the classroom and others worldwide through his highly acclaimed last lecture, has died of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 47.
Also a Carnegie Mellon alumnus, Pausch co-founded the Entertainment Technology Center and led researchers who created Alice, a revolutionary way to teach computer programming. He was widely respected in academic circles for a unique interdisciplinary approach, bringing together artists, dramatists and designers to break new ground by working in collaboration with computer scientists.
Outside the classroom, he gained public fame for delivering what would come to be known as "The Last Lecture." On Sept. 18, 2007, only a month after doctors told him that he had three-to-six months to live following a recurrence of pancreatic cancer, he presented a lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" to a packed auditorium at Carnegie Mellon.The moving and often humorous talk recounted his efforts to achieve such childhood dreams as becoming a professional football player, experiencing zero gravity and developing Disney World attractions. In the process, he shared his insights on finding the good in other people, working hard to overcome obstacles and living generously."If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself," Pausch said. "The dreams will come to you."The video appeared on countless websites and has been viewed by millions. Appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC's Good Morning America and the CBS Evening News followed.A book version, "The Last Lecture" co-written by Jeff Zaslow of the Wall Street Journal (and a fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus), became a best-seller upon its release this spring."Randy had an enormous and lasting impact on Carnegie Mellon," said Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon. "A brilliant researcher and gifted teacher, he was a key member of our Human-Computer Interaction Institute and co-founder of the Entertainment Technology Center. His love of teaching, his sense of fun and his brilliance came together in the Alice project, which teaches students computer programming while enabling them to do something fun — making animated movies and games. Carnegie Mellon — and the world — are better places for having had Randy Pausch in them."Pausch was also a pioneer in the development of virtual reality, including creating the popular Building Virtual Worlds class.A memorial service at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is being planned; details will be announced at a later date.He is survived by his wife, Jai, and three children: Chloe, Dylan and Logan. The family requests that donations on his behalf be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, or to Carnegie Mellon's Randy Pausch Memorial Fund, which the university will use primarily to support continued work on the Alice project.
For more information on Randy's life and legacy, read In Memoriam: Randy Pausch, Innovative Computer Scientist at Carnegie Mellon, Launched Education Initiatives, Gained Worldwide Acclaim for Last Lecture.
Related Links: Watch Randy's Lecture on YouTube About Randy's Last Lecture Download Randy's Lecture on iTunes U Buy the Book
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Girls Only Armstrong Hockey Camp Still Has Openings!
We heard from the Armstrong Hockey that there are still openings in their Girls Only Camp! If you are interested let them know you heard about the camp on my blogspot, Coach Joyce!
The Girls Only camp will be held in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
Read on...
Dear Joyce,
Hope all is well. We were not sure if you had interest in our Girls Only Camp this summer so we are putting this e-mail into you to inform you that there are still a couple spots available in the camp. It runs from July 28th - August 1st from 8:30a-3:30p. There will be 3 hours of on-ice instruction each day along with multiple different off-ice activities both hockey oriented and non-hockey geared as well. It is a high energy, fun week of camp and we have coaches and counselors that love the game of hockey and love interacting with the players. If you have interest in the camp or any other questions feel free to contact me:
Brian Moretti
Armstrong Hockey
Director of Elite Camps
401-556-2011
info@bahockey.com
http://www.bahockey.com/
The Girls Only camp will be held in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
Read on...
Dear Joyce,
Hope all is well. We were not sure if you had interest in our Girls Only Camp this summer so we are putting this e-mail into you to inform you that there are still a couple spots available in the camp. It runs from July 28th - August 1st from 8:30a-3:30p. There will be 3 hours of on-ice instruction each day along with multiple different off-ice activities both hockey oriented and non-hockey geared as well. It is a high energy, fun week of camp and we have coaches and counselors that love the game of hockey and love interacting with the players. If you have interest in the camp or any other questions feel free to contact me:
Brian Moretti
Armstrong Hockey
Director of Elite Camps
401-556-2011
info@bahockey.com
http://www.bahockey.com/
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Practice-To-Game Ratio
Games are not as important as quality practice time and we can help educate parents, players and coaches that our focus in youth hockey should be THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF PRACTICE TIME.
Many parents new to youth sports make the mistake of overemphasizing game playing time. They have yet to consider the facts. They mean well and they are simply trying to protect their children.
This is from the USAHockey.com site in a discussion of cross-ice games: http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=PL_01_18&id=5238
A study of hockey games played on the full-ice surface by George Kingston in 1976 found the following:
In a sixty-minute running time hockey game between 6-8 year old children, the average player had possession of the puck for 20.7 seconds. Top National Hockey League and international professional players were also timed and no player exceeded 85 seconds of puck possession time. In a sixty-minute children's game the actual playing time of the game was 20 minutes and 38 seconds. Taking this into consideration, the individual player is only on the ice every third or fourth shift depending on how many players are on the team, resulting in even less ice time. An average of less than 0.5 shots per game for youth players and only 1.5 shots per game for junior and professional players.
The study concluded that:
For young players in the "full-ice game model" of development, the youngest players would require 180 games and the older youth players would require 80 games to enjoy 60 minutes of actual puck possession time to execute their stick handling, passing, pass receiving and shooting skills.
Professional and international players would require 60 games to ensure 60 minutes of puck control skill development.
Many players never touched the puck in the game, especially in youth hockey.
And here's another reference to Kingston's study of practice-to-game ratio: http://www.thehockeyfarm.org/opportunity.php
“By looking at the skill level of an average North American player we can easily tell that Canadians and Americans do not practice the craft enough”, says Kingston. “We produce great game players, but they lack fundamental skills. The junior development in Europe is much more efficient because they have a more sound practice-to-game ratio than in North America.”
Kingston says that for players under the age of ten, you need up to five practices for one game. Over the age of ten at least 2-3 practices for every game you play. In Canada and USA youngsters often have a practice-to game ratio that is close to one-to-one.
“Our study gives support to the theory that skill is developed through repetition. So we must try to encourage our associations and youth programs to practice more and play less if we want skilled and offensively creative players in North America”, concludes Kingston.
This difference gives what Kingston describes as a better practice-to-game ratio.
Many parents new to youth sports make the mistake of overemphasizing game playing time. They have yet to consider the facts. They mean well and they are simply trying to protect their children.
This is from the USAHockey.com site in a discussion of cross-ice games: http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=PL_01_18&id=5238
A study of hockey games played on the full-ice surface by George Kingston in 1976 found the following:
In a sixty-minute running time hockey game between 6-8 year old children, the average player had possession of the puck for 20.7 seconds. Top National Hockey League and international professional players were also timed and no player exceeded 85 seconds of puck possession time. In a sixty-minute children's game the actual playing time of the game was 20 minutes and 38 seconds. Taking this into consideration, the individual player is only on the ice every third or fourth shift depending on how many players are on the team, resulting in even less ice time. An average of less than 0.5 shots per game for youth players and only 1.5 shots per game for junior and professional players.
The study concluded that:
For young players in the "full-ice game model" of development, the youngest players would require 180 games and the older youth players would require 80 games to enjoy 60 minutes of actual puck possession time to execute their stick handling, passing, pass receiving and shooting skills.
Professional and international players would require 60 games to ensure 60 minutes of puck control skill development.
Many players never touched the puck in the game, especially in youth hockey.
And here's another reference to Kingston's study of practice-to-game ratio: http://www.thehockeyfarm.org/opportunity.php
“By looking at the skill level of an average North American player we can easily tell that Canadians and Americans do not practice the craft enough”, says Kingston. “We produce great game players, but they lack fundamental skills. The junior development in Europe is much more efficient because they have a more sound practice-to-game ratio than in North America.”
Kingston says that for players under the age of ten, you need up to five practices for one game. Over the age of ten at least 2-3 practices for every game you play. In Canada and USA youngsters often have a practice-to game ratio that is close to one-to-one.
“Our study gives support to the theory that skill is developed through repetition. So we must try to encourage our associations and youth programs to practice more and play less if we want skilled and offensively creative players in North America”, concludes Kingston.
This difference gives what Kingston describes as a better practice-to-game ratio.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Family Affair... We Almost Did It Tonight!
My dream is to play a game of hockey with my family, my whole family, on one team. We almost did it tonight, but not quite. We had three goalies show up, including my son Kyle. So Kyle opted to skate out and let the other goalies play. Kraig was did not come and Kam was there but decided not to play. He kept score instead. So our team tonight consisted of me, my daughter Kasie, her husband Ryan, my son Kip, my son Kyle, Clarke (the love of my live) and two friends. We won. Kyle scored five goals... he's got great hands and skates well. Crazy goalie.
My kids all learned to skate and play hockey before I did. I'm so glad I joined them. We are working on a name for our team. My first idea was to call us "Domestic Assault". Maybe we could skate together as a family to raise money for good a good cause.
I wonder if there are any other families out there who all skate... including the parents!
We were not the only mother-daughter team on the ice tonight. My friend, Linda, is rapidly improving and she and her daughter Brittany joined us. They were on opposite teams. I saw Linda take the puck away from her daughter (a skilled player who plays for Assabet Girls Hockey). Linda saved a goal. What a thrill! There's something really special when you step on the ice with your daughter.
Rich, my buddy from the Saturday night pickup at Nashoba Olympia in Boxboro stopped in to see how I'm doing and watch our scrimmage. What a great guy. He cares so much about people and always encouraged me to keep trying. He's knows how to make people feel good about themselves. Rich, you made my night!
So, maybe next week... before Kasie and Ryan leave for Germany, we'll get the whole family on one team.
My kids all learned to skate and play hockey before I did. I'm so glad I joined them. We are working on a name for our team. My first idea was to call us "Domestic Assault". Maybe we could skate together as a family to raise money for good a good cause.
I wonder if there are any other families out there who all skate... including the parents!
We were not the only mother-daughter team on the ice tonight. My friend, Linda, is rapidly improving and she and her daughter Brittany joined us. They were on opposite teams. I saw Linda take the puck away from her daughter (a skilled player who plays for Assabet Girls Hockey). Linda saved a goal. What a thrill! There's something really special when you step on the ice with your daughter.
Rich, my buddy from the Saturday night pickup at Nashoba Olympia in Boxboro stopped in to see how I'm doing and watch our scrimmage. What a great guy. He cares so much about people and always encouraged me to keep trying. He's knows how to make people feel good about themselves. Rich, you made my night!
So, maybe next week... before Kasie and Ryan leave for Germany, we'll get the whole family on one team.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Yes, I Coach Hockey
I am a woman in a man’s world and many perceive me as just a mother who plays hockey.
I only started playing hockey at age 46. Now at 55 I am a USA Hockey certified at level 5. There are many drivers behind my energy. For one, I am a single mother to 5 hockey players, 1 girl, 4 boys so I am try to be as involved with my kids as I can and I push myself into roles that fathers traditionally play. I never dreamed I’d have boys and I never played sports as a kid, nor did I play in high school or college. I was a cheerleader in high school! So once I decided I wanted to help coach, I got resistance and hoops to jump through. Then, before I could get too discouraged, I got breast cancer. I’m not sure which fight fueled me more. Perhaps synergistically they worked to make me incredibly determined to survive and succeed in this most unlikely avocation.
So here I am, coaching and coaching coordinator in a youth hockey program. I also run my own clinics from mites to midgets (www.icoachhockey.com). It is really quite fun to see me run a practice with 20 high school boys on the ice.
I only started playing hockey at age 46. Now at 55 I am a USA Hockey certified at level 5. There are many drivers behind my energy. For one, I am a single mother to 5 hockey players, 1 girl, 4 boys so I am try to be as involved with my kids as I can and I push myself into roles that fathers traditionally play. I never dreamed I’d have boys and I never played sports as a kid, nor did I play in high school or college. I was a cheerleader in high school! So once I decided I wanted to help coach, I got resistance and hoops to jump through. Then, before I could get too discouraged, I got breast cancer. I’m not sure which fight fueled me more. Perhaps synergistically they worked to make me incredibly determined to survive and succeed in this most unlikely avocation.
So here I am, coaching and coaching coordinator in a youth hockey program. I also run my own clinics from mites to midgets (www.icoachhockey.com). It is really quite fun to see me run a practice with 20 high school boys on the ice.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Because He Has the...
Women excel at hockey. Women are expert skaters. Women teach. Women coach. Yet, when a man steps on the ice he is king even as he falls on his butt, trips over his own stick and faces the entire practice away from the players so he can’t be heard. If you are a female hockey coach, coaching boys in particular, good luck. You’ve got your work cut out for you. You have entered the hallowed frozen ground of a sport owned by men.
It starts out okay. You are full of enthusiasm, high hopes and great ideas, idealistic as a high school senior. You prepare your team all week at practice. You make up practice plans. You schlep the water bottles, pucks, cones, first aid kit, pinnies and game shirts. You spend your own money for hockey training aids and stickhandling balls. You coach hockey. Your kids are disciplined. They know the game better than they did when they started. They skate better. Their puck handling and passing have improved. You’ve taught them how to take and give a check.
You show up early for your first game, in your official coaching jacket in the team colors with Coach embroidered on the arm. You enter the rink office and ask for the key to the locker room. The attendant says, “You have to wait for the coach.” You explain, awkwardly, to the young woman (ironic, eh?) that you are the coach. You go to your locker room and start hanging the shirts. The timekeeper comes in and hands the time sheet to the nearest person with a short haircut. You turn and say, “Excuse me, I’m the coach.” You get a look, not an apology. Then, during the game, you are on the bench and a parent starts slapping the glass behind you. “Hey, you have to be patched to be on the bench.” The parent then interrupts the game and the referee, points at you in front of the players, parents and your colleagues and says, “She doesn’t belong there.” You pull out your USA Hockey Gold ID that indicates you are Level 5 certified, the highest certification available in USA Hockey. And you are the only one showing your identification card. No doubt some of the guys on the benches aren’t patched at all. But no other coach is asked to prove he is qualified. They don’t have to prove anything because they have… well, you get it…
So why do I take it? Well, because I can. I am strong, speak softly and carry a pink stick. Drop the puck!
It starts out okay. You are full of enthusiasm, high hopes and great ideas, idealistic as a high school senior. You prepare your team all week at practice. You make up practice plans. You schlep the water bottles, pucks, cones, first aid kit, pinnies and game shirts. You spend your own money for hockey training aids and stickhandling balls. You coach hockey. Your kids are disciplined. They know the game better than they did when they started. They skate better. Their puck handling and passing have improved. You’ve taught them how to take and give a check.
You show up early for your first game, in your official coaching jacket in the team colors with Coach embroidered on the arm. You enter the rink office and ask for the key to the locker room. The attendant says, “You have to wait for the coach.” You explain, awkwardly, to the young woman (ironic, eh?) that you are the coach. You go to your locker room and start hanging the shirts. The timekeeper comes in and hands the time sheet to the nearest person with a short haircut. You turn and say, “Excuse me, I’m the coach.” You get a look, not an apology. Then, during the game, you are on the bench and a parent starts slapping the glass behind you. “Hey, you have to be patched to be on the bench.” The parent then interrupts the game and the referee, points at you in front of the players, parents and your colleagues and says, “She doesn’t belong there.” You pull out your USA Hockey Gold ID that indicates you are Level 5 certified, the highest certification available in USA Hockey. And you are the only one showing your identification card. No doubt some of the guys on the benches aren’t patched at all. But no other coach is asked to prove he is qualified. They don’t have to prove anything because they have… well, you get it…
So why do I take it? Well, because I can. I am strong, speak softly and carry a pink stick. Drop the puck!
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