Friday, June 13, 2008

Parent/Child Camp at NSU is something special

Friday night, the Northwestern State men's basketball team cranked up its annual Parent/Child Basketball Camp, and it's something that's more special than just learning about basketball from the brilliant minds of the NSU coaches, staff, and players.

Fathers with sons, grandfathers with granddaughters... it's a special bonding time between the distant generations that makes this camp so special.  I have the privilege of taking part with my 8-year old daughter, Haley.

The kids wide-eyed attention on ball-handling drills, how to do bounce passes, and correct ways to shoot layups, just to name a few, quickly became barrels of laughter when the adults made their attempt to imitate the instructors.

Assistant coaches Mark Slessinger, Jeff Moore, and Bob Austin, combined with the teaching from graduate assistants Patrick Self and Jacob Spielbaur, put on a routine that would match up to any Laurel and Hardy skit... all for the kids.  And there's nothing greater in the world than watching kids laugh.

Then, head coach Mike McConathy talked to the adults away from the little dribblers, giving a brief insight on the day-to-day operations of the Demon basketball program.  And in his usual charming fashion, explained the important things in life, and how to stay the course on everything you do, because once you start doubting yourself, others will follow.

The camp concludes on Saturday, but one thing is for sure, the little time spent at the parent/child camp will live with me for a lifetime.

What a great Father's Day gift!

Matthew Bonnette
Assistant Sports Information Director

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