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 Newsletter - Archive - Issue 5, March 15, 2000

Issue 5, March 15, 2000
Welcome to the MACBOA E-mail Newsletter

The MACBOA E-mail Newsletter is a periodic (twice a month during October through March and monthly there after) publication of the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA). The Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association provides basketball officiating services to several colleges and universities in the Maryland - Washington, DC area. The Association has a membership of approximately 150 men and women officials. Our membership consist of men and women who work Divisions I, II and III basketball. We pride our Association on providing quality and professional service. The Guiding Principles of MACBOA include taking pride in the quality of our work, teat people with respect, focus on customer needs and expectations, encourage improvement, embrace change, and act with integrity.

The MACBOA E-mail Newsletter is made possible by the kind support of our sponsors. I thank our sponsors for making the newsletter possible. Please visit our web site at http://www.macboa.org. As always, please visit our sponsors and thank them for keeping MACBOA operational.

Donnee L. Gray, Coordinator of Officials
Email: Donnee.Gray@macboa.org

 

Highlights in this issue include:

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From the Coordinator of Officials to Officials
Camp time is just around the corner. The Time Out Referee School will be held July 11- 13, 2000 at American University. Please call me in order to obtain camp brochures.
Officials are reminded to send their written permission to have their pictures published on the MACBOA web site. Officials who have not sent in their picture, please send the picture along with your written consent to the MACBOA office no later than 3/20/2000. Permission forms with your signatures may be faxed to the MACBOA office.

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MACBOA Interview: Ann Wellham, Director of Athletics and Head Women's Basketball Coach, Garrett Community College

MACBOA is pleased to have the opportunity to visit with Ann Wellham, Director of Athletics and Head Women's Basketball Coach, Garrett Community College. This interview occurred during the NJCAA Region XX Basketball Championships hosted by Garrett Community College March 3-5, 2000.

The Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA) wish to express our sincere gratitude for the generous hospitality area, refreshments, and other amenities made available during the NJCAA Region XX Women's Basketball Championships, March 3-5, 2000, for the officiating staff and observers.

MACBOA: What attracted you to a career in athletic administration?
Wellham: I have always loved being involved in sports. When I finished my college playing career I knew that I wanted to stay involved in sports and I also wanted to be able to provide opportunities for others to have some of the same experiences that I did. Athletic Administration has enabled me to be a part of the nuts and bolts aspect of providing sports experience for students. I enjoy the behind the scenes role and feel that I am suited for it.

MACBOA: Please give a brief summary of what Garrett Community College is all about?
Wellham: GCC is a comprehensive community college in that we provide educational programs which lead to transfer and career advancement opportunities. We are involved in providing quality higher education and lifelong learning. One of our major philosophies is that we believe in "encoring each to succeed" and "challenge all to excel". This philosophy goes along with our "open door" policy and our desire to provide higher and higher levels of achievement.

MACBOA: Please comment on the coaches and staff you employ?
Wellham: We have a very talented coaching staff at GCC. Each coach is dedicated to providing a quality athletic experience for the student/athletes that they recruit. We are competing against schools who outsize us by many measures, yet we have been able to provide competitive teams year after year. This does not happen unless a program has a dedicated quality coaches and support from the institution. We are very fortunate at GCC to have the coaching staff that we do.

MACBOA: What are your thoughts on athletics today?
Wellham: This is a tough question to answer in a few words. There are many levels to the field of athletics including little league pee wee ball to the professional level. I will limit my comments to the Community College level. My current role as Women's Region Director for Region XX and my involvement with the National Office of the NJCAA has given me an opportunity to view athletics from a higher level. There has been tremendous growth at the two year level, especially for women's sports. Levels of competition are not equal throughout the United States which has created the need for division status for many sports. The NJCAA now offers two to three divisions which differentiate scholarship and non scholarship programs. This enables a more equal playing field. Great strides have been made to provide quality, competitive opportunities for the two-year level. I have great respect for the NJCAA and the Athletic Directors who make up the membership.

MACBOA: What improvements need to be addressed in athletics today?
Wellham: Equal playing fields: I believe the first improvement has already begun in the sense that the NJCAA instituted the divisioning of sports. The division structure enables a more equal playing field. It was very difficult competing against schools who provided full scholarships and had budgets to travel all over the United States. Sportsmanship issues: Region XX addressed the problem of"unsportsmanlike behavior" several years ago in introducing what we refer to a "Special Region XX Rules". These rules prohibited unsportsmanlike behavior and created ramifications for student/athletes. These steps have helped in cutting down on unacceptable sport behavior. The NJCAA liked what we created and has adopted policies at the National level, which are very similar.

MACBOA: What areas need change in order to assist the student-athlete today?
Wellham: I feel strongly that schools need to be more accountable for the academic levels of student/athletes who obtain a graduation degree. Our college has an "open door" policy, which does not require a minimum ACT, SAT, or high school GPA to obtain admission. Many of our student/athletes are forced to enroll in classes at GCC which help prepare them for the college level courses. In essence they are starting out behind. This is unfair to the student/athlete and college athletic eligibility is difficult to maintain.

MACBOA: As Head Basketball Coach, what do you look for in a student-athlete?
 Wellham: As a coach at a two-year school I am recruiting new teams on a yearly basis. Typically I am looking to round out the returning squad to cover positions that have graduated. Specifically, I am looking for genuine athletic ability, a record of academic success and a personality which will blend with my returning squad. We spend a great deal of time together during the season and I try to find student/athletes that will mesh. I also look for a hard worker who has demonstrated leadership. Unfortunately, I am sometimes fooled in the recruiting process.

MACBOA: Why is Garrett Community College so special?
 Wellham: Our small size provides individual attention with classes typically averaging a 1:15 faculty to student ratio. Professors genuinely care about student success. We also have a very strong academic support program. Academic failure at GCC is only a result of a lack of effort, discipline and responsibility from the students. Our success rate is high when students transfer. Graduates find that they are well prepared for success in their chosen careers. For the last four years GCC students who have transferred to a Maryland college outperformed transfers from the other seventeen community colleges.

MACBOA: What would you tell a young child aspiring for a chance to play intercollegiate athletics?
Wellham: I can think of six things that would help a young child achieve success at the intercollegiate level:
1. Develop discipline - Hard work results in success. Don't depend on luck and short cuts. There are too many undisciplined athletes out there.
2. Understand the meaning of responsibility - what you do and don't do effects other people. Be accountable for your actions.
3. Strive for higher levels of achievement - aspire to be more than you currently are and begin working on your weaknesses TODAY!! Recognize that when you are resting, your opponent is practicing to beat you. College players will be better than you. Work to be better too.
4. Develop an attitude of gratitude - be thankful for the opportunities that you are given and don't take for granted that you will always be healthy to compete. Take advantage of your current abilities and express your thankfulness to those who help you grow.
5. Emphasize academic preparation - high school is more than a place to"do what you can to get by". Work hard to prepare yourself for future academic challenges. College will be a challenge. Make sure you are ready to meet the challenge.
6. Don't procrastinate - before you know it you will be graduating and you will need a plan in place. Include in your plan the goals for achieving higher and higher levels of academic and athletic success!!
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Hometown: Linthicum, Maryland
Occupation: Athletic Director since 1983
Professor of Health Physical Education and Business
Women's Head Basketball Coach
Coached basketball at Garrett CC from 1981 - 1986 (six years) gave it up until 1997. Returned to coaching basketball at Garrett CC in 1996. I assisted Dennis Gibson in 1996 and took over head coach in 1997. I also started the Volleyball program at Frostburg State University in 1994. Remained at FSU for two years before giving it up to return to coaching at Garrett CC. Awards: Towson State University Female Athlete of the Year in 1977 and 1978 (Junior and Senior year). My most recent award was my selection to Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 2000.

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Sponsor: The Official's Choice
Through the month of March, 2000, the Official's Choice is offering 15% on ALL merchandise in stock! Hurry, and take advantage of this event. Don't forget to mention that you are a MACBOA member.
You may contact The Official's Choice at 800-480-4477

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Stretching vs. Flexibility
Stretching is crucial to prevent injury. When partaking in a physical activity, one must warm up by performing continuous activity, i.e., light jogging, riding stationary bike, or jogging in place. You know you're warmed up when you break a light sweat, which usually takes five to ten minutes. Now it's time to perform a pre-stretch. A pre-stretch is a gentle stretch held for 10-20 seconds. The pre-stretch should be repeated ten times. Muscles that should be stretched are calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, hip adductors, hip abductors, abdominal, low back, lats, chest, shoulders, and arms.

As mentioned in a previous article, stretching prepares muscles, ligaments, tendons and the nervous system to work. Improving flexibility actually means lengthening the tissue, i.e., ligament, tendons, and muscles. While stretching provides momentary benefits, increase in flexibility provides long term benefits. This may sound a little different than what you've been taught in the past. So please, let me explain. Increasing flexibility in the hamstring simply means lengthening the muscle. A muscle can only be lengthened by adding units. These units are called sarcomeres. It has been proven through research that in as little as two weeks after receiving the stimulus, this process can produce results.

This is the difficult part. The best activity to do to increase muscle length in hamstrings is to hold that muscle in a lengthened position for a long time. The best hamstring flexibility exercise is simply holding your back with a slight curve, and tightening your abdominal area by pulling it in, while sitting in a chair, while holding one leg straight. The leg that is straight should be resting on the floor, with your ankle and foot pointed toward your body. Now lean forward, bending at your hips, not your back. The curve in your low back should not change when you bend forward at your hips. Once you feel a gentle pull in your hamstrings, stop bending forward. Stay in this position for one minute. Repeat this exercise multiple times each day. As it becomes easier, hold it longer, i.e., each week, add one minute to each repetition. After two weeks, you will notice an increase in your hamstring flexibility.

Proper hamstring flexibility is crucial for a healthy low back. Please remember that information you receive in this article is only intended to help you to understand your body and how you can improve your fitness level. As mentioned before, it is of utmost importance to seek professional guidance on a one-on-one level, to ensure proper understanding and execution of a fitness program.

Please feel free to contact me by going to http://www.MontrosePT.com or call (301) 770-5886.
Rene Bates, MS PT., C.S.C.S

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Membership News
Post-Season Assignments Survey: Please e-mail your name, Conference/League name, type (D-I, II, or III) and type of assignment (1st Round, Semi, etc). MACBOA would like to mention this information in a later issue.

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Congratulations! The following officials officiated the Region XX Women's Tournament at Prince George's Community College. The officials in "bold" worked the Championship game.
Eric Brown
Al Cox
Diana DePaul
Thersea Ekstrom
Ponce Gerald
Judge Jackson
Larry Levin
Trish Maltagliati
DeVon Mays
Gloria Moyher
Kenny Pearson
Ike Relacion
Clayton Singleton
Helena Small



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