11/12/04 LFBALL: 'Just wanted to give everyone an update from Russell Shular concerning the free SAT prep program he has in place. The only person that contacted Russell was Rock Eisenburg. But I would have known that without Russ informing me. It seems Rock continues to push for his kids athletically and academically every single day. Rock really sees the large picture to say the least.

Though I am not a part of this wonderful program, I can see the great advantages of kids participating. How could any coach that reads this forum and claim to care about his or her players not contact Russell? I am not talking about the HS teams that have their own SAT prep program. I am talking about the schools that do not and at the end of the year the kids still do not have the scores necessary for 4 year matriculation. I am not talking about Fredrick Douglas Academy where the kids need an 80 average to play and they run there own SAT program. I am talking about schools that put so much emphasis on winning and not enough on these kids understanding the importance of studying. Its great to have wonderful uniforms and be a top rated team with great sponsors. But maybe it would be better to have cheaper uniforms and put more cash into tutoring and phone calls to people such as Russ or Rich Kosik to help your kids prepare for college.

Please forgive me for being so disappointed. The basketball community in NY use to be such a close group. Lately I have seen from a distance more and more kids not able to attend 4 year colleges and universities. Even CUNY now requires an 80-85 average to attend a 4 year college. If anyone has kids at the end of the year struggling to get the SAT score necessary or understand NCAA requirements, yet they did not reach out to obtain free assistance that was available, they should question if they really are doing what is right for kids in their program.

In conclusion, I love watching HS ball but I am saddened when I run into ex HS stars who never made it to a college campus despite really wanting to. There are many kids walking around lost who were stars on the PSAL and CHSAA hardwood. We should always remember it is not about us as adults and coaches, it is about preparing young minds for the future. By the way, can anyone tell me who won the CHSAA and PSAL championships in 1991? Who were the best players in 1995? Coach of the year in 1993? If you can that's great. But is that more important than knowing you did all you could to prepare players for future career and academic success while enjoying athletics?

11/2/04 Booksnball: 'LFBALL gets it and has always had the heart to step up and speak out. Hopefully Russell Shuler's e-mail  yesincusa@aol.com   is jammed as your read this, with high school and community coaches reaching out to him to get their kids into the last few seats for the free SAT Prep class.

What can be done if the seats are filled? Stop trying to be part of the solution? Never! Don't do it! Be the coach that inspires their players to be the kind of student-athlete who makes things happen for themselves. They must realize that they are in charge of creating their own academic, as well as athletic success. Coach Dre gave everyone a great "heads up" recommendation about a month ago about what I've come to believe is the best free SAT/ACT Prep site available to all High School student-athletes at www.number2.com..

It's totally free & can be extremely helpful to everyone trying to get kids ready for the SAT or ACT ! Also check out all the great academic links posted on the links page of this site. In many ways we all care about this "game" and the kids that play it. We want them all to succeed and we can be part of the solution if we attempt to speak up more about academic responsibility, point kids toward helpful resources and make a commitment to show your kids that you expect them to do as well in the classroom as they do playing for you! If not us, then who? If not now, then when?'

11/2/04 LFBALL: 'Many folks including coaches always talk the talk about education first. Now is the time to walk the walk. YES Inc. has a free SAT Prep program scheduled for once a week from November 9th 2004 until January 20th, 2005. This free program will take place at Martin Luther King HS which is located in midtown Manhattan.

Because this program only has approximately 14 seats left for young men playing varsity basketball in the 5 boroughs, it is crucial to touch base with Mr. Russell Shular at YESINCUSA@AOL as soon as possible. Russell is a well known educational advocate for student athletes in NYC, the East coast, and now is even involved in other countries. It would be a shame not to have your top notch HS player being recruited not take advantage of such a wonderful opportunity. Rich K always reminds us how important it is to study. Now is the time to step up and get your kids involved if they are not already in a program.

Lastly, I now look forward to enjoying this HS season. Something I was not able to do last year. I love HS basketball. But I hate when kids forget the importance of education.'