We used this program at New Mexico after borrowing it from Bill Foster, who was at Virginia Tech, Miami, and Clemson. We also got some of our ideas from the football people. You remember how the football people used to put stars on their helmets when they wanted to glorify a kid that made a lot of tackles in a game, etc.? We personally think this is one of the best things we do to help motivate our players on the peer level. Some football people give gold, blue, or whatever color stars to any player who sacks the quarterback or makes so many tackles. In basketball, we also give stars which are put on their personal lockers and also posted on the star board which was outside our office. Here are the ways a player can earn stars:
- If a player can attain a certain GPA that was set as a goal by himself and the coach, predicated on past performance and present class load. (Note: I think a player will not be just going to school every day, but he will be shooting for an overall goal, such as a 2.5 or a 3.6, whatever it may be. At University of New Mexico, we publish the GPA of the team, not the individual, in the school paper. If a player can attain his goal, he receives three stars per semester.)
- We run the mile as part of our pre-season program. We contract with each player a certain goal. If he reached the mark set, he receives a star.
- During any game or full scrimmage, if a player does any of the following, he receives a star:
- Takes two charges.
- Three recoveries, deflections, steal, etc. equals one star.
- Five assists equal two stars.
- Ten rebounds equals three stars.
- Fifty percent field goal made (minimum five shots) equals one star.
- Seventy-five percent free throws made (minimum three shots) equals one star.
- Perfect attendance in classes over a semester equals three stars.
- Any super effort in practice or a game by an individual chosen by the coaches equals a star.
- “18 in a minute” with 25 lb. weighted vest on. Run the width of the basketball court touching each sideline with a total of 18 trips in a minute. We also ask our players to dive across the last line. This effort equals a star.
- Chosen as player of the week for effort and hustle earns a star.
In summary, let me say that I, as a coach, will notice if Johnny Doe has 20 stars at midseason and Bill Long, who is starting ahead of him, has only 8 stars. I might just re-evaluate the playing time from just looking at the star board.
We also give a very nice plaque to any team member who acquires 35 stars during the season. We also give only three trophies away at our banquet. All of the trophies are over 4 feet high. One is for the best defensive player, one is for the best rebounder, and the last, but not least, is for the individual who has achieved the most stars in a year. Note: Most stars usually equals to the MVP.
Colson's Corner 