We talk to coaches at two U of M sports camps that give high school players an elite athletic experience, without the elitism
Brad Frost, Women’s Gopher Hockey coach and Minnesota Girls Hockey Camp director
Minnesota Parent: What kinds of kids go to hockey camp?
Brad Frost: We have a wide range of talents and ability, as well as people from all over the state. Anyone is welcome who is looking to improve their game and wants to play where the Gophers play. One of the biggest sells for our camp is the opportunity to work with some of our players and get to know them personally. A lot of them are role models for these young girls.
MP: Is admission competitive? Do athletes have to tryout?
BF: No, they do not. There are a few restrictions for the high school elite camp. They need to play a year of high school varsity hockey before they can attend the camp. This past year, though, we had six teams and 95 players, so it may have to become more and more competitive as we go. Eventually we’ll have to cap it.
MP: Is this a good camp for an athlete who’d like to eventually play for the Gophers or become a Division 1 athlete?
BF: Absolutely. Only a small percentage of young girls right now are going to make it to the Division 1 level, so the camp is not solely for them. But if they have that drive and that desire to play at that level, then I think this camp is great for them.
MP: Will your camp put athletes in the eyes of Division 1 recruiters?
BF: Yes, the high school elite camp will. We have Gopher coaches as well as some other Division 1 and 3 coaches working with us.
MP: What kind of pressures are these athletes under?
BF: Pressures have to be managed and I think that comes down to parents. They’re going to play better if they’re not under pressure from parents and coaches to succeed.
MP: What should parents do to support their kids?
BF: Be encouraging, and certainly try to help them along the way. Make sure that your children are enjoying themselves. Certainly you want them to get better and be as great a person or hockey player as they can be. Just remember that your daughters are not just hockey players; they’re kids and people first and hockey players second.
MP: What would you say makes a well-rounded athlete? What else should these girls be doing if they want to be well-rounded athletes?
BF: A work ethic needs to be there, and they need to be committed to working extremely hard. A lot of girls right now are just focusing on hockey and I wouldn’t recommend that necessarily at a young age. I would encourage them to play other sports as well, even into high school. A lot of kids are getting burned out too fast these days, simply because they’re playing hockey 12 months out of the year. I would suggest that they take some time off during the summer to enjoy being a kid, so they are excited to come back and play this great game.
Tubby Smith, Men’s Gopher Basketball head coach, Tubby Smith Basketball Camp
Minnesota Parent: What can young athletes get out of basketball camp?
Tubby Smith: We want them to get an enthusiasm and an excitement about the game of basketball. We want to make it fun for them to play or fun for them to watch. We also work with each individual kid to try to improve their game and understand the discipline that it takes to hone and develop skills. And when they leave here, we want them to say, "I had a great time, and I learned more about the game, Gopher basketball and the University of Minnesota."
MP: Why should parents send their boys to your camp?
TS: We’re going to teach them some values. They learn about competing, but also that it’s about success and failures. Along with that, most of them are starting to form and shape who they’re going to be physically, emotionally, and psychologically, so we want them to have a good experience.
MP: What can campers learn from their peers?
TS: We talk and lecture a lot about respect, manners, and how to treat others. There’s a discipline to just being on a team and understanding your role, that you have a position. All five guys can’t have the ball at one time, so it’s got to be a cohesive unit.
MP: What kinds of kids do you work with?
TS: Every kind of kid. I think every young kid should experience a camp like this. At this age, we talk a lot about their goals. Some of them are pretty young, but they need to start thinking, "If I want to play basketball, what do I do next?"
MP: Is this a good camp for an athlete who’d eventually like to become a Division 1 athlete?
TS: Yes it is. But it’s also for any level player. I tell them that I hope all of them come to the University of Minnesota, but that not all of them can play basketball here. There are some who can and will if they believe and dream. We want them to keep believing and dreaming, and hopefully we’ll inspire them.
MP: Will your camp put athletes in the eyes of Division 1 school recruiters?
TS: It’s not a camp that’s open to the public. We don’t have scouts here. If a kid is that good, he will be on a select travel team.
MP: What would you suggest that parents do to support their kids?
TS: Be there for them, and don’t critique them, just be supportive. You’re doing your part by getting them to practice on time and encouraging them. Getting them around the right people and the right programs is good, too. Just get them involved.
Dorothy Wickens interned for Minnesota Parent.
