Silver Streaks Took The Train To Michigan Camp

In the mid-1980’s, we had some good teams but we just could not beat Moline.  I was looking for anything that might help us get over the top. I heard Moline had been going to Doug Bruno's Team Camp in Naperville. The more I researched it, the more I realized that all the best teams in Chicago were going to Bruno’s Camp. I figured if it was good for them, we would try it. 

Our first team camp experience occurred in the summer of 1988. It certainly was not a recreational experience, it was very intense. The team played two games in the morning, two in the afternoon, and two more in the evening. In addition, they did skills stations and competitive 3 on 3 tourneys each day. This went on for 5 days. 

It was so intense that in the middle of a week a girl asked me to mail a post card for her (different era, no texting). Probably not ethical but I could not help but notice, all that was written was- "Get Me The Hell Out of Here!!!"

Not being real bright, I had us scheduled to go again in 1989. In early June I got a letter from the Chicago camp saying they had cancelled our session and moved us to another session a week later. 

Our families had planned around the one week, so we could not switch. I had no idea what to do, but I knew it would not work. Gary Bruington's daughter was playing and I told him my disappointment. 

In pre-internet era, all I could do was look thru brochures I had gotten in the Spring. I told Bru the only options I could find were a couple too far away- one of which was at the University of Michigan. Bru said, "Why don't you look into taking the train?" I did and at the time it would only cost us about $60 per for those over 17 and older, and only $30 for players 16 and under to take the train.

In 1989, the IHSA rules did not allow the HS coach to coach in games. Recent GHS grad and player, Vicki Fields went as our coach. Nine players headed off to Michigan. I was not sure what we were getting into. As we waited for the train, Barb Foxall (mother of Kelly) told my wife what a great opportunity this was for her daughter. Often you don't get feedback so that was wonderful to hear. It gave a nervous coach some relief.  

The 11 of us headed off. We had a layover in Chicago so we walked to see Marshall Fields for lunch. Late that night the train broke down in Kalamazoo for about 3 hours. With no cell phones, I was not sure what was going to happen when we arrived three hours later. 

When we got there the Michigan head coach, Bud Vandeweghe met us and helped us get settled into a dorm. We had the whole dorm to ourselves- no charge- a different era. It turned out to be a wonderful week for the team. 

I continued to take teams to Michigan for about 15 years. By the time we got to the 2000's, UM coaches were asking us questions about the camp schedule, and Michigan HS coaches were asking us for directions around Ann Arbor. 

It could never have worked if we had not had my wife's aunt and uncle to "host" us. Lee and Pat Allen would pick us up at the train station and shuttle the girls to the dorms. And they would always take me out for dinner during the week.

The coaching staff at U of Michigan changed regularly but they were always so good to us. Although Bud Vandeweghe was no longer coach, he ran a t-shirt store and we connected with him each year. And t-shirt stores were the “go to place” for the team. 

Coach Rux and I had a great experience of having pizza with Les Miles. At the time he was an assistant football coach at Michigan. He spent 2-3 hours sharing recruiting stories and his theories of coaching. 

The men’s and women’s players were always good to our players. Rumeal Robinson, who hit the big ft's in the NCAA championship game in 1989, gave great advice to one of our players. Our player sprained her ankle and had to go to the trainer. Who was there? Rumeal Robinson. His advice- "If you are going to play basketball, you are going to sprain ankles, get used to it."

While Vicki Field coached the first year, we took different formers players and volunteers to coach. It was a great way to help pass on our culture by having former players along to guide and mentor the younger players. We needed the help because by the end of the time we were usually taking over 30 players. 

To make the train schedule work, we arrived on Saturday evening but the camp did not start until Sunday afternoon. Matt Pogue was someone who went along one summer to coach our varsity players. Matt had been on the staff at Avon, which had very successful teams. On Saturday evening, we met to get organized for the week and to provide a little motivation for the players. Matt asked to speak and he spoke for probably 20 minutes, and had all the players attention the entire time. He talked about when you get opportunities in life, you need to be ready to take advantage of them. And then he asked the players how they planned to take advantage of their opportunity during the week and during the next season. He had a powerful message. 

Often it was what happened off the court in terms of bonding and goal setting that was more important than what happened on the court. Our Michigan Camp in 1994 definitely led to the success of our 1995 Sweet 16 team. 

The Saturday night before we were to start camp, we met in the basement of the dorm to go over the schedule for the week and also about the upcoming season. I can remember the room and I can remember the people. But I cannot remember exactly what was said. 

I had printed up notebooks with the theme, "Going Beyond Tradition." From 1988 thru 1994 we had won but we had never been able to win a Sectional. Our talk that night was about going beyond what had been achieved, and creating something special. I don't remember exactly what the players said or what I said, but I remember leaving the room knowing we were different than when we went in. I remember having goose bumps as we talked about the upcoming season. That team went on to win GHS's first Sectional in 1995. I am totally convinced we won the Sectional because of what we did at Michigan the summer before. And that led to many other teams "going beyond tradition."

The competition at the Michigan Camp was unbelievable. There usually were about 30 varsity teams from Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. There were tough teams. Each year, our varsity was placed in the top division. We played a round robin schedule followed by a tourney. 

One year on the last day we were undefeated and were playing an undefeated team for the camp championship. The Michigan team had been to the Michigan HS’s Final Four the year before (and so had we). The Michigan team had most of their players back (and so did we). 

It was a very intense summer camp game- two really good teams battling it out. The HS Michigan coach was very intense and very unhappy with the refs. We broke open a close game and won by 7-8 points. Their coach was not happy. 

Our team stood outside the gym under an awning. It was pouring down rain, so we were waiting for the rain to let up so we could walk about a half mile to the dorm. As we stood there, the coach and his team drove by in a van. He slowed down. The coach and all the players turned to us and gave us the “finger.” Our kids started laughing and someone yelled, "No, you're not #1, you’re #2." That may have been one of the more enjoyable wins. And the next season when we went to places like Richwoods, Rock Island, Moline, and Quincy to play in hostile environments- we reminded each other about how we handled tough at Michigan. 

To make the train schedule work, we got done with camp on Friday afternoon but had to wait until Saturday morning to take the train. So we had a free afternoon and evening- together as a team. The players went got some more t-shirts and sweatshirts. And then we went out for pizza at the Cottage Inn. We used the pizza party as a chance to wrap up our whole summer. We gave out awards (some serious), and used it as a chance to talk about our goals for the next season. 

Galesburg is a railroad town so for our team to take the train to team camps was really special. It was an experience that was so rewarding. Our Michigan Team Camp experiences were some of my enjoyable coaching experiences.