MAC Best Practice: Central Michigan's Player Case Studies

This blog is all about inspiration. Today we start with 3 days elevating best practices from the squads that make up the MAC. You can follow along on Facebook (linked here) or on Twitter -- I'm @pawlow34.

What makes something a best practice? This isn't about the most intricate experience. It's about looking at the world from your consumer's point of view and delivering something that hits it right smack on the head. For this work, I'm treating the primary consumer as that prospective student athlete.

Thus far we've seen the right kind of context from Kent State, here.

Let's move...

Hit the Central Michigan Basketball page, here, and click into About the Program.

You'll come here, to a definition of Chippewa Basketball. I want to turn your attention to the right-hand side of the page: "Player Success Stories."

As you'll note here (or below), these are amazing first-person accounts for what the Chippewa program is about. We get glimpses into the lives of 4 graduated players, with a description of how they evolved on campus and since. This is absolutely one of those hidden gems - an idea that most schools should begin adapting, immediately. Why?

1. It shows that you aren't a part of the family only when you wear the uniform
2. It shows that players develop while they are here
3. This is a way to celebrate success that most of us aren't accustomed to

Plus, it's very personal.

Let me give you an excerpt:

"Robbie Harman is the type of player and person this program is built on. He started his career as a walk-on from Traverse City Central high school and ended his 4 year career as the best shooter the school has ever seen. He set the CMU career and season three-point record. During his senior year he also led the nation in three-pointers made per game (3.5). Harman also ranks 23rd in program history for career points. No one worked harder during their 4 years to become the best player they could be than Robbie Harman. Day in day out – he competed with a level of intensity few could match. Early on in his career Harman pushed All-Conference point guard Giordan Watson every day in practice. That competition allowed Harman to improve on his skills and learn from one of CMU’s all-time greats. The CMU basketball program will forever be indebted to the contributions of Robbie Harman and the foundation that he helped lay during his 4 year career..."

Here's another example, of Justin Blevins. Note how they weave in the role basketball has in life.

"Blevins double majored during his time at CMU, and he graduated with a B.S. in accounting and a B.A. in finance. He also received a marketing minor. Blevins currently serves as a financial advisor for Waddell and Reed. “I feel the education that I received at CMU prepared me for the competitive business environment out here. I enjoy helping people plan their futures and advising them to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

“Coach Zeigler and his staff are highly motivated to help their players. He was always there for my teammates and me. He really cares about his players on and off the basketball court. His record and how he is getting our team to consistently compete at the top of the Mid-American Conference shows how good of a coach he is and how hard the coaching staff works."

Wow.

How could this be better? Keep going. There are 4 guys here. I want to see this evolve with every class. This is something that the Chippewas can be famous for. And, as they do this, they should build in quotes from the coaching staff about each player - with a focus on how they developed as an athlete and a leader while at CMU.

Tune in tomorrow as we share one final day of inspiration from the MAC! And, don't forget, you can follow along on Facebook (here) or on Twitter: I'm @pawlow34.

Andy