"Box gets a nice X-mas gift..not great but..

[Box and one]

Yest I got a nice X-mas gift from one of my former players.His name was Charlie R. and if I ever write my book, Charlie should get a whole chapter in it.
The gift I got was not great and was sent by"word of mouth" only.But never the less there is something inside me that made me feel good yest. when his message was given to me.It was a gift I thought I would never get.

It's going to take awhile to write up the story of Charlie R and his coach.I woke up at 5.00am today and went to Home Depot and Lowells to buy my wife "tools".She has become a HGTV fanatic.Have a few more errands and gifts to buy and will come back and tell you guys "the Charlie R" story.

But before I do that I want to thank all the people here in Madjacks that have come into my little thread when I post and congradulate me,agree with me,wish me luck,tell me to beware,disagree with me with the greatest respect, or give me advice,etc.
Never ever is there a bad word.Even when I played Pitt over my Giants and Memphis big a few weeks ago and those 2 plays bombed big.]Freak'in Calipari] Sorry,I'm still upset...
I went back and looked up all my posts for the past month.Over 75 of you people have responded.I'll list those people over this vacation when I get a chance.I just want to say thank you to all of you.
We come from all over the states , Canada and Mexico.We all come from different walks of life.We all dance to a different tune.Some dance to the "foxtrot and waltz".Some dance to the Mash potatoe and Monkey".Some to the Twist and Slide.Some to the "dance fever disco" and eletric slide to the Harlem shake,makarana and the mosh pit.
I'm sure I touched your era but missed a few.But the pt is we come from different generations..yet we all have one thing in common.
And as sick as it is and crazy... we all want to "beat our man" or now "our offshore man/woman with an accent".

Like to wish everyone a safe holiday.Again thanks for all the nice and supportive comments.Lets pray our kids over there in Iraq are safe.
I'll be back later with the Charlie R story.It's a gift thats long overdue....

 

[gardenweasel]

well....i`d have to say that you usually reap what you sow.....

that might explain why you get mad respect in the forums here,box....and from your ex-players...

looking forward to the story...

merry xmas and a happy new year...

 

[RexBudler]

Looking forward to the story. You are a very great asset here. Happy Holidays to you and your family

 

[Randercity]

Nothing but props to you Box... win or lose, it's all good. You give great detailed analysis so one only has to read your write ups to get their own feel for the game. Thanks for all your efforts and God bless you are your family this Holiday Season!

 

[vyrus858]

Box,
I wish you and your family a merry christmas and a wonderful new year...THank you for all that you do here, its funny how many good men you will find on a wagering forum lol...GL

 

[Box and one]

Not sure where to start with this story.It was back in the late 80's.My basketball team had lost in the NY state finals the yr before and my big time player had graduated.Although I had a many back from the yr before this one player I had was No.2 in the state in scoring and broke 7 Final 4 records.
Many of the experts thought "boxes" team would be good but couldn't withstand the loss of his superstar.
But as usual they were wrong.Charlie R who was a jr and was a role player the yr before emerged into one of the best players in the region.He was a 6'3 black kid and a spitting image of Latrell Sprewell.There games were identical.Charlie was a slasher to the hoop,had a nice 10-12 jump shot.Quickest 1st step I've ever had as a coach.Great rebounder esp on the offensive bds.You couldn't box him out.About midway thru the season we realized this team I have is better then the one I had lyr.Laroi M was a great shooter and DeLaine K was a 6'9 athletic post player.Over 150 D-1 schools were after In-De-Lane.Of course we called him that because many times he camped out in da lane for 3 seconds violations.
But Charlie was everyones nightmare to guard.He was avg over 19 pts a game,13 bds[more then Delaine],3 or 4 steals,etcMany D-2'& 3's were after him.He is what we call a "tweener".Can't play D-1 because is really a 3 or 4 in HS.If Charlie was 6'5 forget it.
Anyway its about midseason and Charlie misses a practice.I had a rule since day 1.You miss 1 practice you sit the next game.Miss two and you sit out the next 2 games.Miss another your seasons over.Charlie sits out a game and a week or two later he cuts another one.He misses 2 more games and we lose to a Cathloic power house rival team.He went skiing instead.
We survive his loss and keep on winning.Charlie gets re-instated and goes on a tear.I won't start him but no one can stop him.We win our conference,win our league and Charlie gets MVP of the tourney scoring 25 off the bench.We play in our sections and win it.We are now in the NY state tourney.We win our next 2 regional games and now play BHS the Long Island champion.There undefeated and have won the state title 4 times.Ranked No 1 in there classification.We made honorable mention,not even top 20.
The game is to hosted in my region and Marist College is the site.Winner of this game goes to the final 4 in Glenn Falls,NY.
BHS is all black and much quicker then my team.They have a 5'10 D-1 player that many mid-majors are after.They also run the greatest 1-2-1-1 press. A coach from my area{hoops-coach from his HS] comes to my school and helps me break the press in practice.
Probaly the most important practice ever.Charlie is a no show.Because he made the backpage of the sports section and is a hero somehow he thought he was immune.No one could understand him and why would he pull this.
Charlie had a lot of problems growing up.His mother was a prostitute,his father had died when Charlie was a few yrs old.He had 4 brothers and 3 sisters.All became wards of the state.Charlie was in a group home when he came to us.
But most of my kids had the same backrounds.Single parents,lived in drug infested neighborhoods,etc.
The next day I have Charlie in my office and tell him his seasons over.He had a big time attitude and acted surprised.But he knew the minut he didn't show up he was gone.Many of us talked about why he did that.No one knew,not even his teammates.Not one kid on my team spoke in his behalf.
Two nites later we play BHS.McCann Field House is packed.As were doing the warmups I see Charlie under our basket with his arms folded staring at me.I didn't want to est. eye contact but just shook my head.
The back page of our paper had an article on Charlies dimissal to make matters worse.
Well,the game goes on and everyone stepped up.Laroi hits 7 tre's and breaks a record that still stands today.Rene S the kid that took Charlies spot scores 16 pts.We "box and one" there superstar and his gets his pts but doesn't hurt us.We upset the No 1 team in the state.We break there press and score off it.Laroi who hits the 7 shots worked all summer at Magaritys basketball camp at Marist.He knew the court better then anyone.
If Charlie played in that game there is no way Laroi takes those shots.I always believed that if he played we might of lost.If I played BHS 10 times I lose 9 of those.They were the better team,more talent,etc.But just not that night.
We make the final 4 and we win the semifinal game.But in the final game not having Charlie cost me the state title.I got my ass out coached.They packed a zone and matched up on Laroi.
I alway said "not having Charlie was a key factor in the upset.But in the finals not having him cost me".
Charlie never talked to me since that day in my office.He was an angry young kid.Upon graduation he requested that I not hand him his dipolma during the ceramony.I pretended it didn't bother me but it did.Someone else gave it to him.We never talked again.Passing each other in the hallways,cafeteria,etc
He went back to NYC and played for a CUNY Juco team.But by the times the grades came out he wasn't allowed to play.He dropped out.
About a yr later we heard he was involved in some drug deal.There was a shooting.We never got the details but Charlie was being sent away.We knew he was sent Elmira, and Fishkill.All NY State prisons.
Maybe about 3 yrs later I get a letter from him in prison.
It was on a long yellow notepad paper.
It started out Dear Coach, You MFK,You ruined my life..You alone,etc. It was one page of unreal attacks on me and what i have done to him.He went on and on about his life.The reason he didn't play for Louisville was me.
After reading the 1st page I turned it over.Page two was full to.But then it had Charlie maybe blaming himself.Maybe I shouldn't of cut practice.Page 2 had some confessions and accountablity on his part.
He ended it with "could i send him the trophies that we won.He wanted the newspaper articles and plaques.And if possible a jersey.
I sent him a package with some of what he wanted.Wrote him a letter saying I didn't agree with your page 1 but some things in page 2 were on the money.
No one ever heard from Charlie again.About 10 yrs have gone until the other day.A hall monitor in my school came up to me and said "box..I met Charlie R at our Jr High basketball game the other day.He came up to me and said" tell coach I'm doing good.That I was wrong back then. I just saw things in a different way".My life would of been different but back then I was blind."
My hall monitor said "where you one of his players because he has all your pictures in his office.".He proudly said "yes and one of his best".
He told my monitor he was watching his girfriends daughters game and knew that I worked here in this school.My monitor said "do you want to leave him a note."Charlie said "no,but tell coach he was the one person in my life I loved but didn't know how to express it".Tell coach when you see him I'll get in touch with him...and tell coach I always loved him".

Well guys I hope I didn't bore you guys to sleep.Tonite my wife and I and 4 kids will open a few gifts.My wife has to work a 12 hour shift so we all must get up at 5.30 am and exchange all the other gifts.
Even though Charlie R's message came from a 3rd party it was a nice Christmas gift..I hope he gets a hold of me.Maybe he has grown up and can be a positive part of our society. Have a Merry Holiday...

 

[NySportsfan]

good read and touching story box,y......I live in LI, who is BHS I'm curious, Babylon maybe? anyway, hope you and your family have a merry xmas and happy new year, enjoy reading your stuff

Mike

 

[vyrus858]

Amazing...it saddens me how much talent never reaches the next level because of the backrounds they come from...Knew a kid out here, PG by the name of Chris Resto...this kid was avergaing 28 a game in junior high, played varsity freshman year and averaged 17 or 18...the next year, my former HS coach (John Olive, played for the Clippers) and him get in a fight and he moves to antoher school...Dropped out and fell back to what his backround was, drug dealing and running the streets...Such sad stories, but hey, thats life right...you try to learn from where others made a mistake and took such privleges for granted...Happy holidays, loved the story

 

[JustFootball]

thanks box

thanks box

i don't post much here. i just look and coat-tail a little bit. and thanks for that.
but i just wanted to say box, that was one incredible write-up. i work in the news business and that's a great story. i can't remember reading a post in a sports/picks forum and feeling a little weepy. thanks for sharing your story. i've always appreciated your hoops insight. i'm especially grateful that you shared that part of your life.
merrry christmas and happy new year. you've received one of the greatest gifts of all. touching another person's life in a positive and lasting way.
take care,
justfootball

 

[wannabe whale]

Box and One

Just wanted to pass along a quick note after reading your thread.
Forums are full of cappers-good and bad. Forums are full of story tellers-good and bad. I consider you on the top of the list in both.
If you can call someone you don't really know-a class act-I am.
I grew up in upstate NY-Buff and Roch and can relate to alot of your stories.
You are a great capper and know the game and you seem to really know about "life" as well.
Happiest of Holiday wishes to you and your family and continued success in all aspects in 2005.

WW

 

[TJBELL]

Damn Box! Great story!! Thank you for sharing!!!!

Must make you feel all warm inside to finally hear the news you had hoped for. (although may have thought you'd never hear after so much time had lapsed!) TIME does different things to different people and I am glad to hear the outcome of your story!!!!

Happy Holidays to your family from mine!!!!!

Keep up the great cappin!!!!

TOM

 

[joebell]

Quote: "My wife has to work a 12 hour shift so we all must get up at 5.30 am and exchange all the other gifts."

She must be a nurse?? (So is mine and were doing the same, )

Have a great holiday and thanks for sharing
JB

 

[Blackman]

Amazing story Box -- glad you shared and more importantly I'm glad you got some closure to this situation. Have a happy and healthy holiday.

 

[Another Steve]

That is a Great Christmas present. It has to be fullfilling to know you kept to Rules and later in life the benifits are reaped.

Hope today is Good for the Box Family. Will be leaving for my Family Christmas and then GF and I will have ours.

 

[Scooter]

Merry X-mas have a wonderful New Year I really enjoyed your write -up

 

[trolln4walii]

Box

Thank you for sharing that warm story. Christmas gifts don't get much better than that. Many times as coaches and educators we have no idea how we touch the lives of our students. At other times the gratification is instantaneous. When one can reflect and experience a situation like you did it is magnified ten fold. Believe me, there are many more situations that exist that are just as touching that may never be brought to light. Just know in your heart that some of the greatest gifts one can have bestowed upon them cannot be measured by what others can see. It's what we get to carry within our hearts and lasts a lifetime. You are truly blessed to have experienced this with Charlie R, and we are blessed that you posted this and all your other great contributions to the site. Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the holidays with your family.

 

[MadJack]

merry christmas, box. and thanks for the story. i still have a lump in my throat as i type. good stuff

have a great holidays.

 

[Clem D]

Merry Christmas Box and everyone!

Great story. Thanks.

 

[rjdbandit]

thanx

thanx

never written anything here at mj's,but after reading your story,i had to respond--i've coached baseball for sooo many years--i know the thrill of hearing about former players and their successes and sometime failures--just hearing is always nice--your story is extremely heart-warming and i know Charlie will eventually be able to face you in person--that will be the ultimate
continued success with the kids,have a great holiday season and from someone who enjoys your posts--THANK YOu
richard

 

[rrc]

Great story, I've only coached my 2 young sons so far but to all of us aspiring coaches you serve some indespensible (sp?) advice and knowledge. Thanks