Terry's Blogs from Beijing
Aug 12, 2008
Brief UpdateAugust 12, 2008 Beijing 2008 -Quick update We beat Italy today in an exciting game.The final score was 12-11.We were up by three with and Italy battled back and had a 6 on 5 in the last seconds of the game.Whew.Too close. Anyway it was a huge win for us and we had 8 different players score.Lots of good energy happening. I have heard that there is a good chance that the game will air on NBC today between noon and 1 pm.Keep an eye out and watch it if you can - it is pretty exciting.I have also been told that there may be a piece on water polo on KNBC at night between 7 - 7:30 pm. I will feel you in on more of the details later.I have lost my voice from yelling during the game and I am heading to bed to get some rest. Serbia is next on Thursday.Keep the cheering going from home. See you at the pool! Coach
August 11, 2008
Beijing 2008 – Being Prepared
I was a Boy Scout and I learned about “being prepared” as a teenager.There is certainly no better lesson than to be prepared as a coach.So that is what we have been doing over the past day and a half.We have been preparing for the Italy game.This is certainly the biggest game of our “Olympic life” right now.Of course, each and every game will become that “biggest game” from this point forward.
Last night we watched our game against China to review the areas of the game that we played well (defense, and 6 on 5, 5 on 6) and the areas that we need to improve on (getting more players involved in the offense, attacking the zone more effectively and our center game).We made notes and began preparing for Italy.We have some good footage of our game with Italy at the World League Super Finals (which we lost in a shootout) and yesterday’s game between Italy and Croatia.We also have some good footage of our scrimmages with them when we were there this past March.We watched a little last night and saved the rest for today.
In our training this morning we spent a good amount of time on beating a zone defense.We know the Italians will be running some type of zone against us and we want to be ready.At lunch, I spent a little time with our big center, Ryan Bailey who struggled last night in the game.He shared with me that he was very emotional before the game and even became teary eyed.He said that he was thinking about his dad who past away suddenly this last year. He was missing him and wishing that he was here.I reminded Ryan that his dad would be very proud of him. As I walked away I could only think about how much I missed my dad. I know how proud he would be of this team team.
After training today the staff went back to watching video and putting together a scout film (a sequence of clips from our games with Italy) to show the guys.We spent 5 hours today on film and then met with the team to go over the clips.
I took a few hours off after our team meeting to visit with my family and have a little down time.It was nice to get away from the village for a couple of hours and just relax.It was a healthy break and helped remind me to keep all of this in perspective.There is nothing like a 7 year old to bring you back to earth.Sheridan reminded me to smile and have fun at the game.
All we can do tomorrow is to go out there and do the best that we can do.I have seen enough video to know that we are the better team and if we play well tomorrow we will win.It will certainly be another battle and we have to be ready.
Here is our schedule for the morning.
6:30 am- wake up
7 – 7:45 am – team swim a the village pool
8:00 am- breakfast
9:45 am - team meeting to share the game plan
10:30 am – bus to venue
12:10 pm – beat Italy
Sounds like a good day to me.Time for some shut eye. We are prepared!
See you at the pool!
Coach
August 10, 2008
Beijing 2008 – We have liftoff
At training this morning I wore a new shirt that I had ordered that says “I did not come here to lose.”I wanted to send a subtle message to the guys.We had a light training and then had some down time before we had our pre-game meeting at 2:15 pm.We went over the game plan and talked about playing with a calm confidence.We also talked about the fact that each game we play here will be a dog fight and we could not take these guys lightly.I finished the meeting by reading them a card that we had been sent from Pat McCormick (an Olympic Champion in Diving).She told the guys that she was proud of them all and that they were ready mentally and physically – no it was the time to work their magic.She went on to say that you can live a lifetime in a moment and this is your moment.”I was ready.I felt good all day until about 30 minutes before game time and then I got that sinking feeling that I often get as a coach.Had we done everything we could have done to be ready?Maybe I still have a little too much of a players mind set.I always knew as a player that I could totally impact the outcome of a game.There are certain things during a game that you can control and there are others things that you can’t control. Coaching I feel the pressure build up and then the game begins and you really have no outlet for that pressure. Anyway, I had the Pre-Olympic butterflies and I had to go and sit in the locker room by myself and just relax and pray.
The game began well for us as we jumped on the Chinese 3 – 0.At the end of the first we were in control 3 – 1.The second quarter we kind of lost our composure and things got a little sloppy.The Chinese came back and tied the game 3 – 3 before we scored one near the end of the second period to take a 4 – 3 lead into the half.At the end of three quarters it was 6 – 4 and we went onto to win 8 – 4.It certainly was not our best effort.We struggled on offense and had many opportunities to put the game out of reach but just could not shake them.Our defense was pretty solid even though we gave up a couple of cheap goals, we held them to four goals and that is definitely a positive.
We allowed the team to spend 30 minutes with their friends and family before we jumped on the bus and headed back to the village.It was fun for me since my youngest Sheridan was celebrating her 7th birthday.She had made a deal with Merrill for him to win the game for her as a birthday present.Maybe we will have to celebrate a few more of her birthdays in the next few weeks.I know I enjoyed spending a little time with my family and I am sure that the guys did too.
Other results of interest from today in our bracket – Croatia beat Italy 10 – 6 and Serbia beat Germany 11 – 7.On Tuesday we will play Italy in a huge game.This will be a big test for us.In our World League Super Final we were ahead of Italy most of the game and then let them back into it with a few minutes to go in the game.The game ended in a tie and we lost to them in a penalty shootout.Italy has a couple of good centers and some good outside shooting.They are definitely beatable and if we play well on defense we will handle them.
It is a nice feeling to have one win under our belts.No time to relax though – the tough ones are coming.
See you at the pool!
Coach
August 9, 2008
Countdown Beijing – Opening Ceremonies
It has been 16 years since I last marched into a stadium for Opening Ceremonies at the Olympic Games.After meeting with President Bush and then waiting for a few hours the team was anxious to get into the stadium. I had showed them my video from the 1984 Olympic Games when our team strategically placed ourselves close to Michael Jordan as we marched in. We had some good face time back then and the strategy was the same for these games.Stick together but stay close to the basketball guys – especially Kobe.OK –what can I say water polo needs all the exposure it can get.
The USA was number 140 out of the 204 countries that marched last night.As the parade of athletes began we slowly made our way through a long line towards the Bird’s Nest.On both sides were groves of fans that either could not get into the stadium or were volunteers who were there to help keep control of the fans.Being close to Kobe was interesting.The Chinese people went crazy whenever they saw him.Some rushed the volunteers and stormed close to Kobe screaming “I love you, I love you” (this was a male fan).At that moment I was right next to Kobe so I boxed out the crazed fan and earned some respect as a body guard from Kobe.He seemed to appreciate my help and opened up a little telling me how crazy this was.I told him that I thought his earring was attracting all the attention (he was wearing a huge diamond stud earring) and he laughed and began to take it out and said here you go then you keep it.That was a fun moment but what was interesting and kind of strange was that there were many more Kobe Kobe Kobe chants than there were USA USA chants.I tried to start a Tony Tony chant but it did not get too far.
As we finally approached the tunnel my heart began to race. The memories from my previous Olympic Games and especially Opening Ceremonies began to race through my mind.As we came out of the tunnel, one of the first things that I saw was a family waving an American flag.The cheers from the crowd did not rival the powerful USA USA chant that went on for 15 – 20 minutes when we came into the coliseum in Los Angeles for the 84 Games.However, I would say that the Chinese people gave us a very warm welcome.I should say hot (I’ll explain in a minute). It was great to see so many American flags throughout the stadium as we marched around.Looking around at our guys I know that they were really enjoying the moment – something that we will all remember for the rest of our lives.
We came to the middle of the stadium and lined up as the remaining 60 countries marched in.It took a few minutes to realize just how hot it was on the stadium floor.Jackets came off and shirts were soaked through in a matter of minutes.Everyone was sweating like they were in a sauna.Regardless, no one complained.Lots of photos were taken and we shared some nice moments as a team.We watched in awe as the Olympic Flag was raised and then it was time for the torch to enter the stadium.The lighting of the torch has and always will be one of my greatest Olympic memories.In 1984, when Rafer Johnson lit the torch it was like a flame was ignited inside my body.I knew at that moment that my dream had come true.I had made the Olympic team and now I was going to get my chance to win a gold medal for my country.The torch lighting last night was just as exciting for me.I did not know the final athletes that ran with the flame but it did not matter.The Olympic flame means a great deal for me.I guess it represents for me that burning desire to be the best, to compete against the best and more importantly to see how far you can go as a man or a woman.By the time the torch was lit I think I was standing in a puddle of sweat but it was a very cool moment.I had goose bumps as I watched the final runner moon walk around the upper edge of the stadium.I was ready to jump back in the pool and play after the Olympic Flame was ignited.All I know is that I am very blessed to have this opportunity with this team.It has already been a great experience and it is just going to get better.
It was a great night and the team enjoyed the Ceremonies.We finally hit the sack around 2:00 am, so I am glad that we have a day to recover and prepare for the Chinese team on Sunday.By the way, there is a rumor that our game against China will get some air time on Sunday morning at 10:15 am back home.Tell your friends…
See you at the pool!
Coach
August 7, 2008
Countdown Beijing – Distractions and our final tune up
Training this morning was on our own at BNU.As we arrived there was all sorts of security and commotion.Our bus was not allowed to travel its normal path to the gym.We were stopped and told to wait.Finally they told us that President Bush was at the gym watching some of the teams practice.We never saw him but we certainly felt his presence.
Practice went well and as we finished the basketball team was just finishing up there practice.A bunch of the guys had pictures taken with them.Adam Wright even played Kobe in PIG.Just for the record Kobe made two slam dunks and made Adam look a little silly. I was a little bummed that I did not stick around.Coach K is one of my favorite coaches and I would have loved to have a picture taken with him.Perhaps I will run into him at Opening Ceremonies tomorrow.
The basketball team was actually very friendly to our team and made the guys feel pretty special.Like I said the Olympic Games are full of great life experiences and many memories that will last a lifetime.I am sure that we will create many more in the next two weeks.I am good with all this as long as the guys focus when they need too.All of these things can certainly be distractions if we let them.
Tonight we had our final tune up against Monte Negro.These guys just won the European Championships so they would have to be considered one of the favorites for the gold.Our guys played very well tonight and we gave them all that they could handle.No one was really keeping score but we beat them 8 – 5.Ha.OK – it was just a scrimmage but it is a nice way to close out our common training.The guys are definitely getting back into their competitive mode.
Tomorrow is opening ceremonies.It is going to be a very long day.We have training in morning for 90 minutes than we have an hour with the media. Then at 5:15 we have to be dressed and ready to go.We will go over and meet with President Bush and have a tem picture with him. After that we join the parade of athletes in the ceremony.We have been told to expect to be home after midnight.I have told the guys to stay off of there feet as much as they can between now and then.It should be exciting but tiring.
At least we have a day off before we play.
See you at the pool!
Coach
The Beijing fog has returned.The weather report says that it is suppose to rain tomorrow and then be a nice clear day for Opening Ceremonies.I am feeling it now.That anticipation, that urge to get things started.I watched Miracle for the 100th time or so since I took over this job.It is a great movie and every time I watch it I shed a few tears.I am touched and inspired.When I was playing with the national team in 1980 and we were getting ready for the Moscow Olympic Games - our entire team was able to sittogether and watch the USA vs. Soviet Union game.Obviously, the game stirred a great deal of emotion in us all.We were preparing for our opportunity at the Games (not sure if we were going to boycott or not) and to watch our young college kids beat the powerful Soviets was very motivating.
As I watched the movie today two things came to mind. The first is family.A good team is really so much like a family.In the movie, the players protested when Coach Brooks brought in a player from the outside because he had not been a part of the family.Every good team becomes a family.I believe that we have become a family over this past year.This team is close – they believe in each other, they trust each other and perhaps most importantly they have learned to respect each others differences. They are willing to sacrifice for each other. That leads me to the second thing that really hit me as I watched the movie.At the end of the movie Coach Brooks told the audience what his favorite part of coaching the Olympic Team was.Here is what he said “Seeing 20 guys from so many different backgrounds come together as one team and seeing those 20 guys willing to sacrifice so much for the unknown”.
This is the epitome of what it is all about.The Olympic Games are so much different than any other sporting event.This is an opportunity that comes along once every four years.It is especially true in our sport like water polo.This is what we train for, what we sacrifice for and what we live for – a chance, an opportunity to be the best in the world – perhaps more importantly – an opportunity to be your best as an individual and as a team.
There is the unknown – there is certainly no guarantee of a gold medal or even a medal of any color and yet these guys give so much of themselves just for the opportunity.
The USA Olympic Committee has adopted the tag line “amazing awaits”.I certainly believe that amazing does await for this team over the next two weeks. They are ready to put it all on the line and “test” themselves against the best teams in the world.I believe that we have become one of the so called best teams in the world.We will be tested and we will find out.Regardless, amazing has all ready happened for me.It has been amazing being a part of this journey.Watching this team come together and witnessing their growth as a team.I have come to love this family and I believe in these guys with all of my heart.
Amazing Awaits…
See you at the pool!
August 5, 2008
Countdown Beijing – The Nest and the Cube
Things are getting busier here in the Village. More and more teams are arriving everyday. When we first arrived the village seemed quiet. This is not the case anymore. It is like a bee hive with lots of activity and athletes everywhere. The dining hall is getting crowded and I hate to say it but there are no more dove bars (bummer).
Many of the more recognizable athletes are beginning to show up. I saw Dirk Nowitzki (basketball), Rafael Nadal (tennis) and Michael Phelps (swimming) today. I am beginning to feel a little short with many of the basketball and volleyball players showing up. It is fun to sit and people watch and try to guess what sport each athlete is part of – obviously some are easy – like the gymnasts and the weight lifters and the wrestlers (almost all of them have wrestler’s ears). Many of the other sports are very difficult. Regardless of the sport it is fun to just sit back and realize that these are the best of the best at what they do in the world.
Today we scrimmaged against the Chinese team at our competition venue again. We seemed a little tired and we played pretty poorly. We made a lot of bad passes and after two quarters the score ended in a tie. I think that overall it was probably good for us to realize that if we do not play well it will be a battle. I got on them a little after the scrimmage and they woke up and dominated play in our 6 on 5 and 5 on 6 training (each team played 15 minutes of offense and 15 minutes of defense). I have attached a team picture of the team at the competition pool.
After dinner Rick, Ryan and I caught a taxi to the Cube and did some exploring. It was getting a little late but we were able to get into the Cube and see the competition venue for swimming and diving. It was very impressive. The Cube is an amazing building and it is one of two of the central venues (along with the Bird’s Nest) that are in the middle of the Olympic Green. After we explored the Cube we walked over to the Bird’s Nest which was also lit up and did some exploring around there. We were not able to get into the stadium but it was pretty cool just being outside and listening to them rehearse for the Opening Ceremonies.
Tomorrow we are giving the guys the day off. I think that most of us are heading for the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. This will be our last day to relax and just sightsee a little. It should be a fun and relaxing day.
See you at the pool!
Coach.
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