Welcome
Dec 10th, 2009 by Kent Leahy-Trill
Message From the Athletic Director
Welcome to SMUS and to the 23rd Senior Boys Basketball Invitational. The tournament, now deservedly back on the calendar after a two-year hiatus for gym reconstruction, has, over the years, showcased numerous outstanding teams, coaches and players.
First and foremost, on behalf of the school, may I extend a warm welcome to our visitors, especially those from out-of-province. Please enjoy what should be three superb days of competition.
As Athletic Director, I am often reminded of the huge role sport plays at SMUS, where participation, enjoyment, performance and sportsmanship are of vital importance. These values are reflected in the mottos of our founding schools, St. Michael’s (Nothing is great unless it is good) and University School (A healthy mind in a healthy body).
To these, I would add a few final words:
To play is good, to win is better, but to love the game is the best.
VIVAT!
Lindsay Brooke
SMUS Athletic Director
Greetings From the SMUS Director
It is an honour to welcome you to St. Michaels University School for the 23rd Senior Boys Basketball Invitational Tournament.
Basketball has come a long way since its inception in 1891, when Canadian James Naismith, then teaching at Springfield College in Massachusetts, founded the sport. Back then, the hoops were made from wooden peach baskets!
It is doubtful Naismith could have envisioned the evolution of “his sport” to its current form, with its stunning examples of skill and athleticism and a global popularity second only to soccer. From our perspective, of all the great players who have graced the court in the past century, Steve Nash, an Olympian, two-time NBA MVP winner and a 1992 SMUS graduate, takes pride of place.
In the gyms this week you will see some highly competitive games and come across some unforgettable young athletes. You will see dedicated coaches, excellent referees, very capable minor officials, not to mention team spirit, optimism, determination and leadership. After all, basketball is as much a forum for character development as for athletic growth.
Enjoy the action.
Kathy L. Roth
Senior School Director
Greetings From Steve Nash
My own memories of the SMUS Invitational go back to both 1991 and 1992, playing in two intense and competitive finals. In the first of these games, we needed a Jason Reynolds buzzer beater to down Alberni by two points, while a year later Belmont gave us all we could handle.
A long time has since passed, but even allowing for four years at Santa Clara, competing in the Olympics and now thirteen seasons in the NBA, my memories of playing in high school are vivid. Treasure the friendships you form with teammates, as they are irreplaceable and can last a lifetime. Enjoy the noise, the excitement, the pressure, and the “butterflies.” Savour the wins and the magic moments. Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
It’s all part of high school basketball. Try it. You’ll like it. I did.
Steve Nash
Phoenix Suns