Pregame conferences: Captains and Coaches

[VaTerp]

Captains meeting:

I ask for speaking captains because that is what is the custom around here. I agree that it's pretty pointless but it's what is done. So my captain's meeting is:

Intros
Who speaking for blue/white, etc?
You are captains for a reason so help us out with your teams
Sportsmanship at all times
Put the ball in the basket
Good luck

We walk over and introduce ourselves to coaches in front of their respective benches. We don't have a coaches meeting that I see some of you refer to. For coaches I just introduce myself to head coach, shake hands with assistants and then back to the HC:

Coach, you have a good box here (pointing out lines) and we ask that your team's ready to play on the 2nd horn.

For the OP, is there any particularly reasoning for the "pursuing victory with honor" line?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by VaTerp

For the OP, is there any particularly reasoning for the "pursuing victory with honor" line?

It must be personal -- I find it especially grating myself.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by Rich

It must be personal -- I find it especially grating myself.

Yeah, I don't like it at all. But that's just me (and apparently you too).

I think a simpler line about sportsmanship would better serve the purpose. Just asking as maybe it's a local thing like asking for speaking capts is here.

[Adam]

Yeah, I kept forgetting to mention it, but it comes across as a bit over the top. No need to get poetic.

[Rich]

Apparently it's some sportsmanship initiative in Arizona, which is where it appears the OP is from. If it's a phrase everyone uses there, fine -- where I am, kids would just roll their eyes at it.

[maven]

Originally Posted by Adam

Yeah, I kept forgetting to mention it, but it comes across as a bit over the topic. No need to get poetic.

Is that a reason to lock the thread?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by maven

Is that a reason to lock the thread?

You know what I'm thinking now, right?

[deecee]

My personal favorite is, "Black line all around is out of bounds."

[maven]

Originally Posted by Adam

You know what I'm thinking now, right?

Is that a rhetorical question?

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by Rich

It must be personal -- I find it especially grating myself.

It's a program that our state uses. Coaches, ADs, and for a while players had to participate. Again another thing I've been told to say.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by VaTerp

I ask for speaking captains because that is what is the custom around here. I agree that it's pretty pointless but it's what is done.

Don't sound so apologetic. As Saint Ambrose said in 387 A.D., "When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the Church where you are."

[rockyroad]

Boys Regional game Saturday...the Sweet 16 of the classification. Winner moves on to 8 team State Tournament. Working with two gentlemen from other parts of the State, and one of them is the R. His Captain's Conference took almost 3 minutes!

Started with the "gentlemen, we are playing the black line all around today. Not the blue lines, the black lines..." and ended with "Gentlemen, please respect us and respect each other tonight." to be honest, I kind of blanked out for the rest of it.

He finally said, "Partners, do you have anything to add?"

So I said "Yeah. Can we try and have some fun here tonight?"

He actually said "Oh yes. I forgot that. Let's have some fun tonight."

[Freddy]

Tried this line this year with moderate success, to both the two captains and how many ever ceremonial other players they brought out there and then with the coaches:
"We like the game show Jeopardy. Anything in the form of a question is okay with us."
Not all comments end up coming in the form of a question after a while, though.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Boys Regional game Saturday...the Sweet 16 of the classification. Winner moves on to 8 team State Tournament. Working with two gentlemen from other parts of the State, and one of them is the R. His Captain's Conference took almost 3 minutes!

Started with the "gentlemen, we are playing the black line all around today. Not the blue lines, the black lines..." and ended with "Gentlemen, please respect us and respect each other tonight." to be honest, I kind of blanked out for the rest of it.

He finally said, "Partners, do you have anything to add?"

So I said "Yeah. Can we try and have some fun here tonight?"

He actually said "Oh yes. I forgot that. Let's have some fun tonight."

I would've walked back to the opposite sideline after about 30 seconds of it.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Rich

I would've walked back to the opposite sideline after about 30 seconds of it.

Came close. Actually did step back away from center circle and watched teams warming up.