Stanford basketball has made a remarkable rise into the upper
echelon of college hoopdom in the Monty era, though I've long
felt there was more to this magic than we see on the court. On
The Bootleg, we have analyzed and dissected the structure of the
defense and the evolution of the offense. We've traced the
incremental improvements in athleticism and overall team depth.
The recruiting rise has been well documented. All of this in
breakdowns of games and practices, in stories and on the
HoopsBoard. But there is a hidden component I've sensed that we
have missed, regardless of how many games we follow, or how close
to the locker room we might venture. This component is the team
chemistry built and pervasive off the court between the players,
a bond running through each of them that together describes them
as not a team, but a genuine family. I've been surprised over the
last week at the depth and breadth of this family unit, revealed
through conversations I've been privileged to share with several
of the players.
It all starts with the quality of the people in the Stanford
program, and the environment they are in. Says senior Tony
Giovacchini of the coaches' efforts, "It's the type of
players they recruit. They make a real effort to bring in good
kids, looking beyond just what they can do on the court. I think
they take a real pride in the people on the team." But
beyond recruiting, the coaches nurture the players and their
personal development through other activities. Several players
talked about the coaches checking in with them at all times. The
leading topic is not surprisingly how they are doing in classes,
which is a constant focus for Stanford athletes, but they also
check up on non-academic and non-basketball items. Just like any
Stanford student, there are stresses and pressures being away
from home and in such a dynamic environment.
But that Stanford environment may be at the core of what helps
these young men to bond so tightly. "I don't think most
schools in the country are as hard as Stanford, but that helps
bring us closer together. We build a lot of chemistry getting
through it together," opines junior Casey Jacobsen.
Freshman Fundamentals
Every player I talked to remarked that there are lessons to be
learned about what to do, and how to get things done efficiently
and effectively at Stanford. The role Casey and the other
upperclassmen try to provide to the freshmen is as mentor, giving
advice not just in response to difficulties, but getting it up
front to help steer clear of difficulties.
With the frosh that just arrived at Stanford, they have
received two orientations on campus: the University welcome and
that from their teammates and coaches. They are armed with tips
on how to navigate administrative offices, Athletic Department
resources, student organizations, freshman classes and campus
social events. Everything from how to get your books to which
parties to hit on which nights.
Some of the most particular guidance they receive pertains to
the court, though. A couple of the guys talked about knowing the
do's and don'ts in practices, and how to pick up on what it takes
for Stanford basketball. There are specific things the coaches
look for in practices, which the upperclassmen help point out to
steepen learning curves and make for easier adjustments from high
school. "You have to work on things like footwork, and
certain drills - how to do it well and do it right," says
sophomore Matt Lottich. He was sure to add that even heading into
his second year, he's still learning and working to get there.
Beyond just getting to where Monty wants you to be, the Stanford
offense carries a lot of complexity for a freshman. "More
than 50 plays," as described by one player.
Tony G remembers from his early days: "My freshman year
was tough. I went from a small time high school to the #1 team in
the country... there were just too many plays. I remember I was
in a game and just didn't know what the play was. But that
happens every year, so I just try to give reassurance to the
guys." Tony goes on to talk about the mentorship he
received: "Mikey (McDonald) and I got really close. Seems
that everyone gets close to someone. Through my first three
years, Mikey really looked after me. Actually, it even goes back
to guys like Pete Sauer, Kris Weems and Mark Madsen. I really
benefited from those guys."
The support is needed even for the most confident of freshmen
like Casey Jacobsen. "I remember it like it was yesterday.
David Moseley and Mark Madsen helped me so much. You come in
really nervous, regardless of how good you are. And it's not just
the basketball. The school can be intimidating at first. They
helped me with that a lot." More impressive to Casey was the
help he got on the court from Ryan Mendez, even as they competed
for the same position that year. "Ryan Mendez helped a lot
freshman year. He could have been a jerk and tried to intimidate
me. But he was cool and supportive of me. I don't think that
would happen at other places. That's just the type of guys we
have on the team."
Some players remember receiving the welcome and care from
their teammates before even arriving. Curtis Borchardt got calls
from Ryan Mendez and Mark Madsen "all summer." Casey
Jacobsen was invited by Madsen to his house in Danville prior to
the start of school to work out and get into "Stanford
shape." Chris Hernandez emailed with several guys on the
team, and noted how quickly and courteously they responded to
him.
Chris and his fellow freshmen have already in their first
couple weeks been struck by the kindness and camaraderie from
their teammates. Josh Childress forgot to pack much in the way of
socks, but was quickly aided by Curtis, who didn't hesitate to
give him ten pairs of socks. Rob Little missed dinner on one of
his first days on campus after walking a blind girl to class, but
Tyler Besecker brought Rob back to his pad for dinner. Though the
season hasn't officially started yet, the entire team has broken
up into workout groups, with a heavy regimen of early morning
lifting and training. Says Borchardt, "I remember how tough
it was to not have a car as a freshman, so we always make sure to
offer rides to the new guys and ask them how they're doing."
The freshmen couldn't be more pleased with it all so far.
"It's a pretty good feeling. I've only been here for a week
or so, but everyone feels so close. We feel like brothers...
Everyone has bonded really quick. I don't know how it happened so
fast," said Josh. Chris is equally enamored with the team
and the Stanford community: "Everybody is so nice. Not just
nice, but really welcome. Guys don't
just say 'hey' to you. The really care about what you're doing.
There are just so many people here that really care."
Recruiting Effects
Josh and Chris both feel that this atmosphere impacted them
back in their recruitment, and helped to bring them to Stanford.
"I noticed it from the beginning - everyone
hangs out with each other. There are no groups. It did leave an
impression on me," says Childress. "Everybody seemed
tight, and I didn't see any negativity. Everybody was just cool
with each other. Everybody made me feel included, not just an
outside part. They made me feel a part of the team," recalls
Hernandez.
The upperclassmen also remember how Stanford's sense of family
positively affected their decision to come to Stanford. Matt
Lottich was high on what Stanford stood for, as a superlative
combination of basketball and academics, but had his reservations
about what life might be like. "I thought it might be full
of geeks. I wanted to make sure I could have a good social
life." With that focus for his official visit, Lotty was
more than a little surprised. "I came out here, and it's
just perfect, in a word. People here are different - they're just
so nice. I come from Chicago, and it
took a little getting used to."
Curtis Borchardt acknowledges how much the atmosphere
influenced his decision: "It was one of the main reasons I
came here." Casey Jacobsen echoes that sentiment: "I
came to Stanford for a reason - these guys are so much fun to be
with."
Traditions
There are some parts of the Stanford team that have stuck year
after year, and help define them as a group in the same way that
traditions are an important part of any family. For freshmen,
they have to endure a few things at the whims of the
upperclassmen, but the players look back on those times
longingly. Lotty talks of carrying extra bags on road trips, but
says he was proud to show his toughness. No big deal. Tony
Giovacchini gave me several foggy descriptions of a freshman
initiation every year, but was reticent to disclose details.
"There are some special things for freshmen, things that
happen during the season. It's almost like you wait for them and
are not officially a part of the team until you go through them.
When I was a freshman, I was terrified of the initiation. But
after it happened, I really felt close with all the guys - more
than ever."
On road trips, the coaches make sure that every guy rooms with
a different teammate every trip. Never twice in one season with
the same guy. The players say it's a great way to keep getting
closer with all the guys, and a fun part of road trips. If the
team comes away from the trip without a loss, there is a
tradition they get to perform as a team on the bus or plane ride
home. I couldn't get details, but have heard in the past mention
of a team song... Whatever cloaked tradition it may be, the guys
sure do look forward to road trips and wins so they can do it
together coming home.
There is also an intrasquad football game played each fall,
with notorious competitiveness despite the lack of football
experience on the team. Matt Lottich was a star QB in Chicago,
and talks with great enthusiasm and anticipation about this
fall's classic. "Last year, some guys were hurt, so I didn't
have the speedy receivers. But we'll be healthy this year and
score big." Tony Giovacchini described the game as a
"constant comedy" throughout, that has guys competing
and laughing hard. "It's a great game and always really
brings us together."
Random Acts of Kindness
But the more I talked with these guys, the more it became
clear that this family isn't just about getting recruits or
bringing the frosh along. It's a pervasive attitude through all
of their days, through all of their years. And it's a heck of a
lot of time they spend together.
"One night, I'm going out to a movie with Nick Robinson
and his wife. The next night, I'm out with four of five of the
guys racing go-carts. We pretty much do everything
together," says Borchardt. Jacobsen, who lives together in a
four-man unit with Curtis, Tyler and Julius Barnes, adds,
"We see movies a lot, but play video games a lot.
We work out so much that we're tired and want to do some things a
little more stationary. Playing video games gives us the
competitive aspect, as well." For those video game
aficionados out there, you might be surprised to learn the
favorite game for this group right now: RBI Baseball on the
original, old-school Nintendo.
These guys get out plenty, though. Just a few weeks ago, they
went to the opening football game against Boston College. There
has been quite a bit of soccer attended lately, as well. Some of
that soccer affinity might extend back to last spring, when the
team had special practices and workouts to prepare their summer
trip to Australia. Apparently, those workouts overlapped and put
them side-by-side with the women's soccer team, who according to
one team member "started talking trash." One thing led
to another, and soon a challenge was given to pit the men's hoops
team against the women's soccer team on the soccer field. Kyle
Logan was a key star on the field, pulling from his high school
playing days, while Jason Collins was en fuego in the
goal. The women argued that the addition of two team managers to
the hoops team was a stretch, but necessary according to the
guys, who needed to field a full team. Though the women charged
one of the managers as a "ringer," the final and
official result gave the hoopsters a victory on the field. It was
a huge victory and a great time together for the guys.
Another great time the team has had together was on that
Australia trip. The time they spent in a fascinating country,
both on and off the court, gave them a "head start" on
team bonding and unity for this fall season, according to
Giovacchini. "We had guys bungee jumping off mountaintops
together. That trip was the experience of a lifetime, and we
spent it all together. It was amazing."
Just in the last week or two since school started, the team
has gone to Coach Russell Turner's house for an outstanding
dinner cooked by Russell's wife. This past weekend, the team all
gathered at Monty's house for a team barbeque. Tony G also just
had a BBQ at his place for his teammates.
Some of the most impactive moments in these young men's
Stanford careers haven't come at a dinner, on the soccer field,
or even on an Australian mountaintop. The sharing and giving of
each other has said far more about how these guys feel about each
other. Giovacchini remembers a couple years back when the team
traveled to Los Angeles to play Auburn in the Wooden Classic over
Thanksgiving. It's a little tough with Stanford basketball
regularly playing holiday tournaments and events, but this
occasion was in Southern California and close to some of the
players' families. Monty gave an extra day off for people to see
their families in the area. Those further from home weren't left
out, though. Tony, along with Ryan Mendez and David Moseley, went
with Mike McDonald to the McDonald household for Thanksgiving
dinner. "Being included in someone else's family really
opened my eyes to how close this team is."
Matt Lottich felt the same impact last year, when he and the
guys on the team got together to help freshman Nick Robinson.
Nick had a tough time getting around campus, between classes and
practices and more, as a rare Stanfordite without a bike. So the
team pitched in and bought Nick a bike for Christmas, and
classmate Lottich was struck. "I thought 'wow.' Even though
it wasn't directed at me, it really impressed me how tight this
team was."
Lasting Impact
In reflecting back upon what these young men are gaining from
the tight family at Stanford, they don't mix words about how
positive it has been for them. Curtis Borchardt was home with his
family this summer, but missed Stanford and the team
tremendously. "I had a great time home over the summer, but
I was really looking forward to being back at school, just to be
here with the guys again." In the big picture, Curtis has
even stronger feelings. "This was probably the best decision
of my life. I've never, never regretted my decision to come to
Stanford. There really is the best of both worlds here - a sense
of family and a lot of great friends."
Matt Lottich feels that this group uniquely helped him to
adjust and adapt so far away from his home. "It was tough
coming from Chicago, where everybody knew me. I came here and had
to start all over - nobody knew me. But these guys accepted me
from day one. Tony and Mikey took me out the first day. We hung
out and stayed up all night."
Perhaps one of the strongest testaments to the impact of this
family comes from Casey Jacobsen, who had a difficult decision
last spring in deciding whether to return to Stanford or head to
the NBA and millions of dollars. Was leaving his teammates a
major factor in that decision to return? "Absolutely,"
says Casey. "I have so much fun at Stanford. It is a place
that you don't want to leave at any age. The guys on this team
make me want to play basketball at Stanford forever."
Hearing these stories has made an impact on me, as well. I am
not ashamed to admit that each March in Maples Pavilion, when
Senior Day comes and a group of young men are recognized before
their final home game at Stanford, tears come to my eyes. I well
up with emotion because of how much those individuals have meant
to me over the last four years, and the countless memories they
have given me. But from this season forward, I will tear up for
an entirely new understanding of just how much these young men
mean to each other. They are far more than just teammates - they
are brothers and best friends who share something truly
extraordinary for their four years. Each other.