steneptune@westholt.org
(402) 925-2848 ext. 3160

Hi, I am Steve Neptune, Athletics/Activities Director at West Holt Public Schools, I will be posting school information and other things to this page so please check into the tab to be updated on certain topics, game date and time changes etc... Thanks.

Here is a good lesson about patience from the great John Wooden.

Coach Wooden liked this quote from 19th century novelist George MacDonald.: "When we are out of sympathy with the young, then I think our work in this world is over."

The auditorium at Flintridge Prep was attentive as Coach Wooden did questions and answers with the audience at the end of basketball camp.

A young man rose and said: "Next season will be my very first as a head coach. What advice would you give me?"

Coach replied: "Be patient."

The same coach stood again and said: "Coach Wooden what other advice would you give me?"

Coach smiled gently and replied: "Be patient."

Coach believed patience with our youth is critical to their growth, reminding us: "All progress does not result in change, but all change is a result of progress."

Coach also believed the adult must give discipline and have self-discipline.

He was crystal clear on giving discipline; he said: "Those who dispense discipline must remember that its purpose is to help, to improve, to correct, to prevent -not to punish, humiliate, or retaliate."

Coach thought the adult must have the self-discipline to not intervene to fix things for the youngster. As he often reminded us: "The worst things you can do for those you love are the things they could and should do for themselves."

Are you patient, do you discipline to teach and do you let people fall down and get up on their own?

This is a good set of three from Coach Wooden to check yourself on.

As we get into the grind of the winter activity season, all of us including coaches, sponsors, and participants have to deal with late night travel, grading papers, doing homework, dealing with illness, etc.. for the most part that is called adversity which happens almost everyday and especially in competition. So how we as adults handle adversity is a map to how your students or athletes will handle it.

“We don’t develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.”

– BARBARA DE ANGELIS

Are you Losing your team or Building your team?.

Nice article here.

Here are five basic fundamentals to remember when things "aren't going well" so you don't: "lose the team".

1. Stay Calm. Coach Wooden put it this way: Anger prevents proper thinking and makes you vulnerable. When you stay calm you'll create a climate of ‘let's find a solution together in which you ally yourself with the team against the common enemy – a mistake.

2. Don't start pointing fingers. Coach had two thoughts on why pointing fingers is a bad idea: A.) You can make mistakes, but you aren't a failure until you start blaming others for those mistakes. B.) When you blame others, you are trying to excuse yourself. When you make excuses you can't properly evaluate yourself. The coach who starts blaming the players or the boss who starts blaming the employees has taken the first step to losing the team's respect.

3. Get rid of or change the mindset of the influential troublemakers. In his essay Selecting the Squad, Coach wrote: Be alert for potential trouble makers and get rid of them. An employee or player who is respected because of their skill set but has a negative attitude can undermine the energy of the team. They make everybody worse.

4. Make sure strong criticism is private, not personal. The coach or boss who calls out a team member in front of their team mates is taking another step to losing the team's respect. In his book with Steve Jamison, Wooden on Leadership, Coach provided this insight: When difficulties arose and strong action—or words—were called for, I made it a policy to criticize in private, not in front of others. The rebuke was done without rancor. I was stern, but I did not get personal—no insults, no berating, no anger, no emotion. When the discussion or action was over, it was all over. We moved on to other business without lingering anger or animosity. I never wanted to embarrass or humiliate.

5. Keep the focus on day to day improvement, not the scoreboard. Constant reminders of bad results creates the sky is falling mentality and if you think that way it will. Acknowledge improvements and build on them. In time, the scoreboard will be to your liking.

Are you losing your team or building your team?

2024/25 WH BB Games

Games on the Radio

DATE:  Dec. 6th vs Creighton, Dec. 7th Girls vs Osmond, Dec 10th vs Ord, Dec. 17th vs CWC, Dec. 21 vs Battle Creek, Dec. 30th vs LHNE.

Station:   KBRB

Stay Tuned for more updates

Preparation is key: "It's not the will to win that matters-everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters".

Friday November 22nd Order of Events

This link is about True Courage please take the time and look at it, let me know what you think.