Sports letters: Gonzaga basketball players get better with time

Do you ever notice how much Gonzaga University players improve each year? These are skillful players, recruited both nationally and internationally. They bring a lot of basketball talent to Gonzaga when they arrive at the gym for their first practice. These new players continue to improve their skills under the direction of coaches who are outstanding teachers.

The two most important foundations of player improvement are the coaches’ leadership and teaching abilities. Knowledge of a particular sport is also very important, but if you’re not a strong leader and teacher, reaching your highest potential as a coach is almost impossible.

Athletes appreciate coaches who have strong coaching foundations. In many instances, they will learn and use some of these coaching skills themselves.

Chris Wellman

Rose Lake, Idaho