I Stumbled upon a Ball: written 2012

I was not employed as a coach, I just stumbled upon it. I initially got to be well known through the sport committee by coming in contact with the two coaches employed by the University– and also while playing competitive basketball with the students, I have also submitted some proposal to the registrar concerning the university sports, and it was through such interaction that I was recognized as a capable staff to assist the university in its recreation. In my association with the students, I was quick to realize that many students didn't have this spirit of competition, more so because they are new and knows not who is who in the University, or liaise with concerning Basketball. Knowing who I was and knowing that these students probably needed more support than I needed really gave me more obligations to work as their coach as well. I felt that I had a responsibility to them. I guess my convictions come from my background. Lots of the students I see were like the people I play street basketball with in my neighborhood. My strength comes from seeing these students as my family -- I see lots of parallels in them. Before coming to Bells I have worked at Kaduna State Sports Council. I worked at a social service branch of the state and I learned a lot from it. At Bells I had a conversation with some people in the sport committee and some students, and also with my wife about how it would be more beneficial for me to work with the boys in my university. At first I was not that reluctant, because the other coaches thought that I was usurping their duties, but while I looked at the students the more I am convinced that I am about to do the right thing. It was like having two warring ideals within me and I had to figure out what was really going on with me. I finally figure out that it's because I always thought of their future as a part of mine too. The other coaches have qualifications, but surprisingly none was about basketball. I didn’t know this at first, but when series of excuses kept flowing in on why there was no training for the basketball players, I then realized that there was no coach for the ball sport. A lot of things I saw happening in our daily movement plays a part in my interest toward the university recreation, in trying to help out through the sport committee. I developed awareness about myself that I never had before; I saw how I could be an asset to the university and enhance my personal endeavor through the coaching process. I go to various campuses on weekends in Lagos or here in Ogun State because I enjoy watching and playing basketball; and when I come back to the university I see a real dearth of interested youth. There are few of them and that put a greater responsibility on me to bring something back to the university community. That thing that was given to me, that makes my life interesting was that whenever I call the student out to train, I feel that I am protecting them from a life of idleness and abuse. I knew the goodness in it more so because as a youth I too was pretty much protected mostly by my outsiders; my late mom and my sister were around most of the time and I didn't really hang out by myself on the streets or anything. But this is a University were the students are on their own and if I am not there with them someone else will be, and that someone else influence they will lean upon as they grow out of Bells.

It feels so good at Bells: by Omosun sylvester (a coach story)

It feels so good to know that I am inspiring a lot of young students and that a lot of them look up to me for advice. It makes me feel really good. Every time I am there with them either to play a game, watch or coach, there are these students supporting me and wanting to play a part. They could ask about my plan for them, ask about my family, I in turn return the greetings. When I was young and playing University basketball the coach then had a big impact on me not so much by enhancing the things that my parents have taught me, I learned a lot from him, learned how to deal with being a basketball player, being in the public eye, handling success, and understanding that there is a right way to treat people. That is the same education I hope to give the player I come in contact with. God gave me the chance to be a healthy, contributing individual and if I am not doing that then I feel that I’ve not only failed myself, but that I am not contributing to something that God helped me to do. I encouraged the student to embrace literature, by talking about the sports they love most, this way I have learned a lot from my team, from the way they handle situations on and off the court, I have read some great inspirational stories they have written about themselves and I am about to share them in a book “nuance of Bells” I have players that have been through a lot or that are going through something; like Obaro; the assistant captain of the University team, is right now going through a season-ending injury, and how he is handling the situation by staying upbeat. I always put myself in his situation and ask myself: “Could I stay that positive if I were going through the same thing?” A lot of times without even acknowledging it, you can look at your players; how they deal with their daily struggles and find a way for them to inspire you and fellow student. I see that and I feel good. And as a player you have a lot of responsibility as a role-model for a lot of people. That’s something I personally take very seriously and just trying to make the right decisions because I know I have been led down the right path by a lot of people and one of the biggest things you can do is try to set the right example and hopefully one day people will say Omosun Sylvester was my inspiration. This is what keep me going from day to day, working in the community, even when I am tired or depressed about something: Motivation for me varies from day to day. It depends on the kids’ attitudes and my attitude. I have highs and lows and I think part of my process of development now is trying to leave my personal stuff at home and praying for my family support. Lessons to learn. Books to read Problems to solve Friends to meet.