The True Meaning of Teamwork

Figure 1

     When first walking into the office of Head Coach Bill Cleary, the first thing that you come across are three large windows with a red window pane looking out onto the court, overseeing anything that might be going on. Usually, around this time of year he will see either some of the men or women basketball players out there working on their game most of the time. Coach Cleary is in his seventh season here at Bloomsburg University as the women's head basketball coach. At the beginning of a new season no coach knows how well or bad the season is going to be. "Each season is always fun and there are different challenges each year when the season begins", he replies.
     Most of the time time he sits on his computer. As soon as your walk into his office, to the immediate right on his desk the computer sits. Along with his computer is also a mess of papers that deal with team stats, opponent stats, and other materials, such as plays, pictures, DVDs, office supplies, and memorabilia from the past and of his family. Above him are cabinets where he stores all his papers and belongings. On top of the cabinets are pictures from his past seasons and achievements that has has accomplished (see Figure 1). In his office is where Coach Cleary does most of his work for the women's basketball team. While on his computer he does scouting for teams that they play and watches games that they have already played to see what they could better and fix. Coach Cleary says, "Each scout is different, how we prepare for each team is different. Each team is unique with what they do and so we try and exploit their weaknesses best we can".

Figure 2

     The things that Coach Cleary does in his office are very important when it comes to practice and game day. When walking onto the court from the locker room, first thing you notice is the vast gym. The pulled in maroon bleachers span across the entire basketball court. Six baskets surround the gym, he two main baskets are the only two baskets that have shot clocks on top of them. The remaining four baskets are used for when there is not any more room on the two main baskets or if you would just use one of them. When the women practice they all go as hard as they can, so that they all can get better and get ready for their opponent as well. As practice begins they all line up on the baseline that reads in big bold letters painted gold white and maroon saying 'BLOOMSBURG'.
     Before they actually begin practice they stretch and warm up. While they stretch they chit chat about what is going to happen in practice that day.While the coaches are standing in the corner talking about the practice schedule themselves. The girls move from one stretch to next then run down the court and back just once to begin drills that start practice. Breaking off into groups of two's and one group of three and begin shooting at the baskets. Each time you can hear either the ball hitting the rim or swishing through the net. While shooting each girl says "good job" or "nice shot" out loud to one another. There is time on the clock counting down for how long each drill will last. The clock rest high above the gym in the rafters with bright orange lights for all to see .As time expires on the clock they begin scouting for their next team they are about to play. Coach Cleary calls some of players out onto the court to run the plays that the other team will be running. Running  through one or two of their plays and the girls. The starters of the team come out and guard those who are are already on the court (see Figure 2). They run though the plays two or three times to ensure they know how to guard it. There is yelling about who is cutting where on the court, sneakers screeching as everyone is moving, and the sound of the ball hitting the floor when people dribble. At some points Coach Cleary will stop them and make a coaching point about how he wants something to be done. Whether it be a particular way to guard someone or how he wants the girls to rotate when the ball gets passed around. That how one of the teams practices goes, but rarely do they do the same drills two days in a row.
     Just looking amongst all the players and coaches, you can see how well all of them get along with one another. Coach Cleary responds with, "This all started with Coach Decker and myself, this is the environment we wanted to have. Then you have to give the credit to the players for understanding that this is the atmosphere we want to have." It is not that hard to notice this as well. Varying between a game and being away from the sport it is easy to notice how well they get along (see Figure 3).

Figure 3

The women's basketball team, has the greatest group of players and coaches that everyone loves to see play and hang out with any time. Each and everyone of them know how to put a smile on anyone's face or even just be there to help you in a time of need. They are all truly inspirational to anybody who meets them.