Why I am Still with AAU? by Coach Z.

 I am often asked "Why are you Still with AAU?", "What are the advantages of youth playing AAU Ball?", "What is the goal of the Atlanta Select Basketball Association?". Is Atlanta Select just another AAU program?".

The picture and the story above is the reason I am still involved in an AAU program. Kenny Zeigler, my son, participated in the AAU program, with the Atlanta Celtics, for 6 years. His experience, exposure and excellent coaching program provided him the opportunity to move to the next level in his academic pursuits. But before he could play basketball he had to obtain excellent grades and conduct in school. The rule that was enforced; "Poor grades, Poor conduct - No play, Period. I must say - never had that problem.

 What are the advantages of playing AAU Ball? Play with the Best against the Best, additional skill development, confidence building and team bonding, travel = EXPOSURE!

The goal of Atlanta Select is to successfully prepare young boys and girls, both academically and athletically, for the opportunity to pursue a degree of higher education at the college level. Did you notice no mention about the possibility of going to the NBA? No promise of a college scholarship. But, to prepare young folks for the requirements for college through the emphasis of Education, Life Skills and Sports. Maybe a good athletic ability can earned a scholarship to help defer college costs. I can vouch for that.

Coach Tony Hill and I, co-founders of Atlanta Select, had a concept of an organization that would provide an opportunity for the elite as well as the non elite basketball player to play competitive basketball.  We felt that everyone should be provided an opportunity to play and enjoy the sport at a highly competitive level and be exposed. That good grades must be emphasized and enforced to play in our program. That we must tackle Life Skill issues in support of what parents, teachers and others must teach our young people to survive and progress in this modern day environment.

The grass root basketball circuit has a lot of players with varied goals. In a review of the different programs you will find The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Atlanta Select, like a lot of grassroot organizations, strives to follow The Good. 

Presently, we have tasked all our coaches to take and pass the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) course required by AAU headquarters and to read the best selling book "Play Their Hearts Out" by George Dohrmann. These two instruments, we feel, will provide an insight on what should and should not be done in coaching an AAU team.  I would encourage all that have a concern about so called AAU ball to read this book. In it you will find The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. In chapter 30, the profile of Coaches Howard and Patterson, you will find what best describe what Atlanta Select is trying to achieve. We want to be known as not just another AAU program, but Atlanta Select!

Kenny today lives in Maryland, employed and playing basketball for fun and fitness with the Ultimate Hoops organization, Team Knicks. he gladly reports that his team is undefeated. Ready for the play offs. http://www.uhlife.com/basketball/profile.aspx?PlayerID=9123&SeasonDivisionID=250

We talk often, a lot about basketball and we reminisce about his experiences and success playing AAU.

The experiences and the success I shared with Kenny are the main reasons that I am still with AAU. I feel the need to share what I have experienced and learned with the current and future groups of young basketball players. I plan to "See it Through"!