Joey Range- Why Didn’t You Yell More?

Joey Range was an all-state basketball players at Galesburg High School. He finished his career with 2390, and his team finished 2nd in State. Many consider Joey to be the best player in Galesburg HS history and in the history of the WB6. So Joey knows something about basketball and about brining championships.

The last game I went to there was a dad who was out of control. He was yelling instructions to his player, criticizing other players, and second guessing the coach. This dad made me think about Joey Range. Watching this dad and thinking about Joey, I couldn’t get a question out of my mind. 

Joey’s son, JJ, was my son’s age. I actually coached JJ in 4th and 5th grade, and watched him play throughout JH and HS. Joey’s daughter, Daija, played varsity basketball for me. During those years, I never heard Joey yelling instructions to either JJ or Daija. I never head him criticize other players, in fact after every game he always made it a points to go around to other players and praise them for their play. And I never heard him second guessing the coaches of his kids. 

Watching the dad out of control and thinking about Joey, the question I could not get out of my mind was why Joey didn’t try to coach his kids during games. The dads who were coaching and yelling at their kids were not close to being as good of a player as Joey Range, yet Joey wasn’t yelling directions to his kids. 

So I sent the following text to Joey- 

Most of us would say you were the best all-time player at GHS. You know basketball and you know about winning championships. Yet when JJ and Daija played- you never got involved coaching or yelling during games. Why didn't you try to coach from the stands?

Joey’s reply-

I wanted my kids to have their own experience bonding with teammates and coaches. I would give them tips and advice but ultimately, it's them putting in the hardwork and dedication so it would've been selfish of me to rob them of their opportunity.  

A quote my kids have heard plenty of times from me- “A ball will never define you. Be a good person , teammate, and friend.”

Reading Joey’s message, it reminded me of when Doug Collins came to watch his great-niece, Casey Williams play. Doug sat up high in the bleachers, in a corner. After the game he said to me,”I wanted to see Casey play, but I wanted to make sure the night was about Casey not me.”