July 11, 2002
Coach Jay Wright and his staff will spend much of the month of July at the center of a whirlwind of activity. There are recruiting evaluations to be made at camps across the nation along with responsibilities on campus. In an effort to take you behind the scenes of this most hectic of off-season months, villanova.com will provide periodic updates from the Villanova men's basketball coaching staff during the course of July. (Please note that NCAA rules prohibit member institutions or its staff from mentioning or commenting on individual prospects.)
Today's Traveler: Fred Hill
Tuesday, July 9
Teaneck, N.J.
The opportunity to come here to kick off the evaluation period in July is always special for me. Quite literally, it is a homecoming. I grew up in the area and get to see my entire family during these first days of the adidas ABCD camp. It is also special because the camp is held at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where I served for seven years as an associate head coach to Tom Green. I probably know every nook and cranny in the Rothman Center and it's terrific to catch up with good friends who still work here.
It's also nice to know the location of some great restaurants in the area.
In previous years, my typical day during the ABCD camp would have begun with me making telephone calls to high school and AAU coaches of prospects we have an interest in. In 2002, though, the NCAA has changed its rules. College coaches are no longer permitted to speak with high school or AAU coaches during this period, either on the phone or in a gym such as the Rothman Center. So instead of telephone calls, I begin my day with recruiting letters or notes.
In addition to correspondence, I spend the morning hours working on our Villanova basketball book for the ABCD camp. We receive packets of information with players' team names, uniform numbers and schedules when we first check in on Monday. However, we like to go beyond that by compiling our own booklet. It lists every game with a prospect we may be interested in and it is color-coded by class. This is a means for Coach Wright, Coach Jones and I to have a very clear picture of the camp as it unfolds.
By 1:30 p.m., I have pulled into the parking lot at the Rothman Center. The lot is crammed with rental cars and the college coaches who have rented them.
Inside the building there is activity on each of the four courts.
When I watch a young man at an event like this, I am looking at a few things. First, I like to see how he competes. I many cases I have seen these players before, but I am curious to see how they handle the high caliber of competition facing them in this kind of setting. I also try to get a feel for their athleticism and how that relates to the other good athletes on the floor here.
It's also important to watch how a youngster interacts with his teammates. Sometimes little things can mean a lot.
It would also be insincere to suggest that we aren't hoping to have our prospects see us watching them. We want them to know that we are in attendance and very interested in them.
Wednesday, July 10
Teaneck, N.J.
Coach Wright and I meet prior to the 2:00 p.m. games to go over our plans for the afternoon. We split up and spend the next three hours watching intently as the action unfolds on the four courts here.
At about 5:45, the last afternoon game concludes. It is at this point where my local knowledge can prove helpful. Tonight, coach Wright and I are joining (UCLA) coach Steve Lavin for dinner. These are the kind of nice social interactions you get in July. You aren't in the heat of battle and it's great to be able to sit down and share some food and laughs with your colleagues.
But there usually isn't time for dessert. We have to be back in the Rothman Center by 7:00 p.m. as the evening sessions begin. Coach Wright and I again huddle to map out our evening viewing plans before we enter.
After viewing some of the evening session, coach Wright must hit the road. He and coach Lavin are headed back to Villanova where coach Lavin will address the counselors at the Villanova Basketball Camp later in the evening. It's a great perk for our camp coaches to be able to hear someone the caliber of coach Lavin or coach Fran Dunphy (Tuesday night's speaker) offer some insight into a particular aspect of offensive or defensive strategy. Coach Lavin will then spend the night on the Main Line before helping Coach Wright hand out awards at the Villanova Basketball Camp on Thursday morning before rejoining Coach Wright for the ride back up the New Jersey Turnpike for the final day of ABCD.
As for me, I stick around through the night's final games, which don't end until after 11:00 p.m. After that I head for the Glenpointe Marriott where most of the college coaches are sequestered.
It's been a fun couple of days on the road - or, in my case, some familiar turf.
I look forward to visiting with you again in the coming weeks as we take you inside Villanova Basketball's month of July.
