2009 Program News
10/2/09: Apprenticeship Sites: Basketball
The ICECP basketball coaches have made their way from Delaware to the City of Brotherly Love for their apprenticeship. Sites include each of the Philadelphia Big 5 schools, Drexel University and Philadelphia 76ers training camp.
The coaches started their apprenticeship at the University of Delaware, where they worked with strength and conditioning coach Jeff Schneider. They also observed men’s and women’s practices and discussed workouts with each team’s strength and conditioning coaches.
“We were able to see individual skill workouts, including wing and post development, and watch a full-team women’s practice,” said Sid Guzman, a national team coach from Guam.
They arrived in Philadelphia on Sept 30, and the first stop was 76ers training camp, held at St. Joseph’s University. The coaches all noted the jump in talent level and athleticism from the college players to the pros.
“The players were definitely more skilled and talented,” Guzman said. “The speed, athleticism and ability were at the highest level. It was up another five notches from the college players. It was also interesting to see their work ethics.”
The coaches began their tour of Philadelphia’s collegiate basketball programs with Drexel. They observed full practices for the men and women and discussed workouts and training philosophy with the strength and conditioning coach. Guzman said it was interesting to compare and contrast what they saw at Delaware and Drexel. He said the Drexel staff also provided each coach with DVD’s of practice sessions and components of offensive and defensive sets.
“It has been really interesting and enlightening. I can’t wait for more,” Guzman said. And they have plenty more coming up, with visits to each of the Big 5 schools’ basketball programs scheduled in the next week.
Friday, they head to the Palestra and the University of Pennsylvania, where they will work with coach Glen Miller and 2009 Big 5 rookie of the year Zack Rosen.
Monday, they head back to St. Joe’s, this time to observe coach Phil Martelli and the Hawks. Martelli gave the keynote speech that opened up the ICECP program in Sept, and the coaches are excited to see him and his program in action.
Tuesday, the coaches visit Temple University and the defending Atlantic 10 champion Owls. They will work coach Fran Dunphy, who is one of the all-time winningest coaches in Philadelphia Big 5 history with a 343-194 overall record.
Wednesday, Villanova is the destination for the ICECP coaches, as head coach Jay Wright and the 2009 Final Four-reaching Wildcats will show their visitors how a perennial Big East powerhouse does business.
The final stop on their apprenticeship is at La Salle University on Thursday, where the coaches will shadow Dr. John Gianni and watch District 4 second team member Rodney Green in action.
More information about each of the sites visited can be found at: Philadelphia 76ers, Drexel, Penn, St. Joseph's, Temple, Villanova and La Salle.
