How is Dominic Shannon building a development-first youth basketball program?
AAU basketball isn’t always viewed in the most favorable light. Detractors argue that there is an overemphasis on winning, physical overuse for the athlete, and no real team cohesion. However, not all AAU programs are created equally.
My guest, Dominic Shannon, is Program Director for All-In Sports based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a former basketball player that has coached in both high school and college.
Dominic left a job in corporate America to pursue his vision for All-In Sports, a basketball program that would emphasize the development of young athletes. In seven years since it was founded, All-In Sports has attracted over 100 players by developing a community-oriented, highly collaborative team culture.
In Episode 49, Dominic shares his passion for preparing young athletes for success on and off the court.
So, what’s your biggest takeaway from my conversation with Dominic Shannon?
My biggest takeaway is that families should look for an AAU or club program that fits their family’s values.
My suggestion to families is to do your homework when selecting a sports program. Development-oriented sports programs exist. Investing time to research and ask the right questions will make all the difference.
I want to thank Dominic for his kind generosity and the wisdom he shared with The Freshman Foundation Community.
You can learn more about All-In Sports at https://allinsportsclub.com and on Instagram @allinsportsclub.
To learn HOW mental performance coaching can help your mind work FOR you rather than AGAINST you, visit https://michaelvhuber.com.
Thank you for listening. We’ll see you back soon for Episode 50!
00:01.16
mvhuber
Dominique how are you man? Yeah, sure is so I guess to get started. Let me ask you like what was your inspiration or yeah, what was your inspiration for starting all in sports club.
00:02.83
Coach Shannon
I'm well I'm well another day to get it right.
00:15.41
Coach Shannon
Ah, resources outreach for the youth. Um I was working corporate when I had the idea of the program. All Land sports and the idea came about because I was really without the youth. My job kept me away I was commuting.
00:18.85
mvhuber
And.
00:35.40
Coach Shannon
good job good pay um but it wasn't fulfilling. It gave me a lot of the foundation that I have now with the business principles business understanding I work for enterprise rent car for 7 years um and working there just gave me a good understanding but it also gave me the understanding that you know this isn't what I want long term and.
00:37.22
mvhuber
More.
00:54.19
Coach Shannon
What I wanted was something ah engaging with the youth which also turned into a lot of community engagement. Um, you know again, which is you know more fulfilling and more purposeful. So that's what led me down the path.
01:04.70
mvhuber
Well I didn't know that about you coming into this but I have to say we have ah that in Common. So you know I was in corporate for a long time I was in business for about 20 years and I had the same um you know I came to the same understanding that this is not what I want to do with my life. And I know from my own perspective. It was a really hard choice. It took me a long time to sort of make that transition because of all the things I would be leaving behind namely financial Stability. So How long did it take you to sort of get from the point where you were thinking hey I got to I want to get out of this and get into something. More meaningful to the point that you actually went ahead and did it.
01:40.70
Coach Shannon
Several months myself and my have 4 younger brothers. So it's 5 boys the brother right on the me's name is Jeff we called him bruiser he was also the district manager for lids at the time that I was working for enterprise and I think me and him both.
01:45.96
mvhuber
Me.
01:54.74
mvhuber
It hit.
01:59.66
Coach Shannon
Talked about leaving our jobs for maybe five months six months before I actually pulled the trigger I remember where I was I I caught him first too to let him know I asked day I was ah this is one Taco Bell breakfast first started I was driving a minivan. Driving a minivan um dropping off a customer and decided to make a piss stop a piss stop I wasn't supposed to make grab something to eat called my brother and I'm like it's today like early in the morning I just felt it. Um.
02:27.55
mvhuber
In.
02:32.88
Coach Shannon
Just over the position like I said it taught me a lot but just past it and um, yeah, you know and in the rest this history and then he left his his gig. Not too far after that. So I may have been the push that he needed or we were to push for each other because we were both you know transitioning around the same time.
02:34.17
mvhuber
A.
02:42.32
mvhuber
Ah.
02:49.16
mvhuber
So when you make the decision when you made a decision did you know exactly what you wanted it to be I mean how how different does it look today than than it looked in your mind you know seven years ago
03:00.10
Coach Shannon
Um, so when I left Enterprise so I was I was doing some you know basketball development skill development wasn't coaching at the time and then um, once I actually left I was asked by a friend to come assistant coach.
03:10.43
mvhuber
M.
03:19.40
Coach Shannon
And that's what really led me to you know where I am with my coaching journey now. Um I really didn't know what it would turn into of course I had this big vision of you know, wanting the gym which which is still an ingo um, but now that I'm in going into years 7 yeah, year None um, it steps you know it steps like of course in your mind you just see the bigger picture of the facility you know serving the community the youth running up and down the core. Just you know, a lot of love. But you know there's love and and steps you know before you can actually achieve that and you know we're just. Doing our time right now. But um, it's not where I wanted to be yet, but it is fulfilling a lot of ah outreach a lot of our resources and you know just providing ah the the resources for the youth is making it worth it.
04:05.74
mvhuber
Um, so you're in Grand Rapids right Michigan so is that who you're so serving predominantly is it the grand rapids community or is it bigger than than that.
04:13.32
Coach Shannon
Yes, sir.
04:19.00
Coach Shannon
We do have a few families that ah that travel with the travel program that we do offer initially it started off as strictly developmental but we started adding teams just about three years ago three years ago we started off with one team. Ah.
04:23.57
mvhuber
M.
04:37.18
Coach Shannon
Split like a none none and none grade team. We had ah a wild mixture of kids at the time and now we're up to None teams none grade all the way up to none grade on the boy side and then we have a fourth fifth and sixth grade girl split. So the program is grown. The following is grown and there's a lot of love. Ah, that we've received from the Grand Rapids community so we're thankful for that. Um, but yeah, we're looking to grow it even more.
05:03.30
mvhuber
So I'm I'm interested about the philosophy of the program because I know there are a lot of regardless of sport whether it's basketball with Aa or other sports with with travel clubs and different. You know sorts of competitive high level sports. Every club has. You know for lack of a better way to put it. They have a philosophy. They have an angle right? So like what's the differentiator for your clubs all in sports versus maybe some of the other clubs in the community that you know for lack of a better way to put it. You're competing with.
05:32.98
Coach Shannon
Um, it's a couple different things resources and the the man leading the program. Um, and even just the knowledge that we have amongst ourselves from myself to trymaine who you're familiar with um and even my.
05:47.80
mvhuber
Yeah.
05:51.14
Coach Shannon
My assistant director Landon Mischer we all bring a different skill set. Um, we all trust one another and that's where it starts. That's the foundation of the program again will be the the resources and the the knowledge that were able to pass with myself. Um.
05:56.90
mvhuber
Anything.
06:10.52
Coach Shannon
Coaching high school playing collegiate for a year. Um also coaching collegiate as well and sharing those experiences and Tremaine playing professionally overseas now running you know a very profitable and a very strong basketball development program.
06:11.70
mvhuber
Only.
06:20.11
mvhuber
Um.
06:29.34
Coach Shannon
And then Landon a very very active guy in the community. Very positive family influential guy just bringing all of us together and pouring it in None poster in the pot and now we're pouring it into the cup of the youth. Um. Ah, think that's what really separates us. Another thing is just the the development piece. Um, a lot of programs have the the travel side but the the main thing that we're after at all in is the development There aren't any kids receiving scholarships in the none none grade. So.
06:48.89
mvhuber
And.
07:05.20
Coach Shannon
You know, just to have that intensity or just that urgency I think that you know it's a bit soon. But the the main thing is just development and teaching um within the program we're open you know with with the coaches. The only way we can learn is if we you know sharpen each other so you know we do ask of. You know I ask a lot of myself being receptible feedback and then also just all the coaches that we have you know we bounce things off None another. So it. You know it helps the program grow in the right direction.
07:31.80
mvhuber
Yeah, Well I mean you know as somebody who works in youth sport myself with with individual athletes and a coaching practice you know and as a parent frankly of young people. Um, development is just.. It's so overlooked and it's It's really,. It's really upsetting for me because there's so much emphasis put on the outcomes and the result and this long-term belief that there's going to be some pot of gold at the end of the rainbow versus really are we trying to develop not only better players but better individuals better human beings and I think that that's.
07:51.61
Coach Shannon
Um, right.
08:01.68
Coach Shannon
Um, right.
08:05.13
mvhuber
That's huge and there's nothing wrong with being competitive right? You know I think that's part of what sports teaches us. Yeah, that's why we're in it right? but we have to put it into the perspective of the children right? If they're competitive for the sake of being competitive and that's what they love to do they like to win That's awesome, right? But if we're the ones putting that pressure on them to win.
08:06.55
Coach Shannon
Um, that's why we're in it. Yep.
08:23.85
mvhuber
When all they want to do is have a good time and learn Well then that's that's on us.
08:26.22
Coach Shannon
Right? Like I believe even when you look at the environment or just like the the actual physical environment of of a basketball game. Um, the crowd is right on top of this of the athletes.
08:32.21
mvhuber
The.
08:40.78
Coach Shannon
Um, with just about every other sport. You know you're kind of removed from the action. You know you're not really hearing the conversations or you know the things that are going on on the football field or maybe you know at a hockey game. Um, but with basketball you're right there and I believe even just with the crowd being there. There's so much influence.
08:49.48
mvhuber
O.
09:00.44
Coach Shannon
You know on the student on especially at the younger ages. There's so much influence that it causes the commotion that we see in in youth sports. Um, you know we ah seen a lot of videos and a lot of conversation with you know, parents fighting and you know jumping on Referees and I just think there's.
09:14.70
mvhuber
O.
09:18.73
Coach Shannon
There's a coach there allow the coach to be the coach and I mean I think I think that's the struggle but at the same time I don't have any children but I'm I'm sure being a parent or watching your son or daughter compete. There's little tibbis that you want to spit out there and there's little things that you want them to do in the same breath. Um, even I mean just to take it one step further if you if they are that collegiate athlete or if they are that professional athlete. There isn't any conversation during the game. So I think the game time is really supposed to be. You know when they're really developing and listening to the coach versus the you know the the consistent conversation that may be coming from the parent. It can be conflicting especially for a young mind.
09:57.18
mvhuber
Yeah I'll tell you a funny story. It just happened to me a couple weeks ago. No it was last weekend. My daughter's almost twelve she place soccer and I've coached her in soccer not that I'm a soccer expert. But I've coached her for a number of years and that's sort of coming to an end now and she had a game over the weekend and. I was on the sideline as a parent and I started to give her None tidbit like None piece of instruction I'm not the guy it yells like I know better but I saw that she was struggling with something that she could have done better and I was like getting on her and she like snapped back at me.
10:25.14
Coach Shannon
Are are.
10:33.33
mvhuber
And after the game we were going back and forth and she said listen Dad. She's like I have a coach let the coach coach me and ah and if and ah and if I need to be coached I'll ask my coach and I was like you know she put me in my place you know and and my ego got in the way of like hey I know what I'm talking about why don't you listen, but she's right, right? like. I could be contradicting what she's being taught and I don't know anymore or less and I probably know less than her coach right? And so I fight that urge all the time especially sports I know more about like a basketball or or baseball because it's not.. It's not my job.
10:54.34
Coach Shannon
Right.
11:10.99
mvhuber
You know what? I'm saying like you said it's really important that we let the coaches coach and so I guess that leads me to a question for you like what are some of the things that you look for in the coaches that you employ.
11:19.76
Coach Shannon
Um, one is presence um, especially with kids you have to be able to keep them engaged. Um as I mentioned our program starts at None grade. So just understanding the mind of ah of a child. Ah a young lady or a young boy. There're all over the place and you know keeping.
11:31.91
mvhuber
City and.
11:39.82
Coach Shannon
Practices you know their energy energy has to be there I think that goes into the ah the presence but also just remembering to have fun like just that's the philosophy like what what we what we tend to do is we also give a lot of coaches. You know, None time coaching opportunities.
11:40.69
mvhuber
Yeah.
11:55.75
mvhuber
M.
11:57.83
Coach Shannon
Um, which has been a ah huge success for the program men and women wanting to coach not having that outlet. We've been able to provide that and you know even if it is their none time you know we'll assist them along the way allow them to get their feet wet. But also you know again. Um, give guidance. You know, even even not having any coaching experience or you know just having a passion for the game. There's ways of going about it. You know there's structured ways and and then even just the the outlet of Youtube or just all the resources that we have now we can really dive into the game and it creates a lot of conversation. So we have built.
12:28.34
mvhuber
Um, yeah.
12:35.40
Coach Shannon
Um, a ton of relationships here with the culture staff as well.
12:38.88
mvhuber
That's great. So I guess I want to ask you about your own basketball career. So when did you start playing basketball. Ah.
12:44.92
Coach Shannon
As long as I can remember I would say that ah football was my None love though football was was what I truly truly enjoyed um as a kid and played basketball but football was it for me that changed.
12:58.44
mvhuber
Um.
13:02.13
Coach Shannon
Um, as I went into high school and that's honestly the biggest I would say the biggest regret that I have not continuing to play football. Um, but for me, yeah, just as as long as I can remember um as going to the park I lived right across the street from ah from my school growing up and just stayed at the park stayed outside. I'm 35 so I come from the air of being outside and you know drinking water from the waterhos so being outside. Um, yeah, and that's one of the philosophies that we have too like I understand now. Um as a kid I was active just riding bikes.
13:25.34
mvhuber
Nope right? playing all day.
13:36.52
mvhuber
Um.
13:38.70
Coach Shannon
You know roller skating whatever it may have been not realizing that everything that I was doing was developing my body so even amongst or just within the conversation that we have with the kids you know they're kids you know they still should have fun. They still should have different experiences I'm not one that will say that. Um.
13:50.22
mvhuber
Um.
13:56.24
Coach Shannon
There's a lot of conversation about kids playing too much of one sport I don't believe that but I do believe that there there are certain things that need to be wellrounded because different sports or just different activities develop muscles and develop your body different and that's a big difference honestly in in certain grade levels. You know. Some kids may have certain skills but sometimes your body isn't developed or someone may just be a little bit more stronger a little bit more tone and you can see it in a none grade. You can see it in the None grade. You can see the difference in the none grade. So that's another philosophy that the program really preaches as well. Just you know, develop in your body.
14:20.85
mvhuber
Um.
14:33.16
mvhuber
Yeah, so what? what led you at that point where you decided to focus on basketball like what was the reasoning behind that that choice.
14:33.36
Coach Shannon
And um and staying active.
14:40.77
Coach Shannon
Ah, lazy and lack of confidence. Um, so my freshman year I tend to Ottawa hills high school and Grand Rapids um I played football through the first I think the first week second week and I also joined the team late.
14:50.20
mvhuber
You.
15:00.60
Coach Shannon
Um I was working some of the summer and um I quit I quit because I felt like I should have I was entitled I was entitled didn't understand how to work for it and then he also didn't really have a real sincere understanding of how to develop my body either. So I was losing that battle.
15:15.19
mvhuber
Um.
15:19.70
Coach Shannon
Um, and then I transferred to um East Kenwood high school and I just didn't even bother to go out because I had quid and I just was more focused on basketball at that time.
15:26.31
mvhuber
Um, okay so I mean in terms of like your basketball development like what at what point did you realize that maybe you had the chance to be to play at a college level.
15:40.15
Coach Shannon
Um, not until I got to college I actually walked on. Um I was say I was a late bloomer even with my height I wasn't I wasn't tall I'm None now but I didn't really stretch until I got into college. Um.
15:44.00
mvhuber
Okay.
15:54.10
mvhuber
Um.
15:57.74
Coach Shannon
None of my roommates played on the ho on the hoop squad the year that I walked on not initially got there I tried to walk on my freshman I didn't walk on until my junior year. Um freshman year. It was just a weird situation with the coach and he wasn't really open to the idea which was you know a bit odd. Was a freshman but the conversation that I was receiving. You know it would likely be an opportunity there which it wasn't but just stay after played in the rec leaks. Um, and then a new coach came in and you know a new opportunity presented itself and um, you know I was able to walk on I was red shirted this year um grades and then also.
16:20.14
mvhuber
Um.
16:37.43
Coach Shannon
Body development grades was the main thing but they also didn't want me to lose a year so they they tried to preserve me and the reason I say try it is I was still after I took my classes in the summertime I took the necessary credits to get me caught up. But when you're um.
16:41.55
mvhuber
Um.
16:56.56
Coach Shannon
Within the ncw a clearing house. You know it's it's a little different at the time only 7 credits would count towards eligibility. Even though if I would have taken a full load of 128 I took a low debate but it all counted towards graduating but it didn't count towards my eligibility so that kept me.
17:04.66
mvhuber
Oh.
17:15.24
mvhuber
Um.
17:15.45
Coach Shannon
Um, from playing college basketball and after that it was there was a wash so I just know I had to walk away. There wasn't any way for me to get caught up but ah, still was a lot of lessons learned I had a good experience. You know I had the the travel the gear you know the whole collegiate athlete experience. So.
17:29.73
mvhuber
Right.
17:33.95
Coach Shannon
Ah, still took a lot away from it.
17:36.20
mvhuber
That's interesting I'm curious about high school though like did you have the where you like did you want to play college basketball and you just didn't have the opportunity as you were coming out of high school at None or were you sort of resigned to the fact that basketball was over for you and you were just moving on.
17:49.11
Coach Shannon
Um, I would say a little bit of both like I mean there wasn't really I knew I didn't have the numbers um or even just the you know the following or the appeal coming out of high school. So I knew it wasn't any type of recruitment that was gonna come. Um.
17:58.92
mvhuber
Um.
18:05.29
Coach Shannon
But I mean the goal was just to get to a college campus and you know see what happened and it wasn't really basketball that led me there it was you know the education piece grabbing a degree. Um, but while I was there you know I just still happen to have a a love and a passion for the game and you know just decided to give it a try and and see what happened and you know.
18:10.99
mvhuber
Day.
18:23.24
Coach Shannon
Ah, came out with a victory but not the victory y'all was hoping for.
18:24.63
mvhuber
Yeah, well right? exactly and a lot of the people that I talk to in on this podcast that idea of we think we want 1 thing right? and it's not until we realize there's something else out there for us that really matters that do we really become successful right? Whether it's.
18:40.83
Coach Shannon
Right.
18:43.76
mvhuber
Ah, want to become a coach I Want to become a business owner I want to become something else like once you have that purpose Beyond sports then you're using all the experience and you're applying it to this new. Um new goal and so one of the philosophies I have and I'm not saying that This is just my opinion. But.
18:53.45
Coach Shannon
Um, from right.
19:00.99
mvhuber
I tend to think or find that the the former athletes who weren't stars who weren't great at what they played tend to be better coaches because they can put themselves into the shoes of the athletes that they're coaching more easily meaning. They didn't always have it easy or they made mistakes or they didn't play a lot So It's easier for them to relate to the player like are there any experiences along the way whether it was high school a you during that time in college that you like take from as a player and apply now In. And your work as a coach and a program developer etc.
19:36.41
Coach Shannon
I wouldn't say there's 1 specific experience I do I will say that my college coach did help me understand how to approach coaching the team honestly I never picture myself coaching I never said I wanted to be a coach but it really just happened and I love it.
19:45.83
mvhuber
E.
19:54.60
Coach Shannon
Um, but it was a book that he had us read Frankie Smith was my coach and um the book is called ah questions are the answers and it is still sticks I actually still have the book. Um, it was a good read and even just the the title love of this is very. Thought provoking for me. Um, but that's None thing that I would say I apply to a lot of the concepts even just outside of basketball. Just I mean this questions are the answers. So you know how do we get to that outcome but but just to say I draw from None specific thing I would say that might be the.
20:20.28
mvhuber
Ah.
20:28.52
mvhuber
Um, okay, but I like but I've never heard of that book. But but I'm a big believer in asking questions right? and asking questions of the young people and giving them the understanding that they have a say in their development.
20:32.23
Coach Shannon
Only thing for me.
20:45.49
Coach Shannon
Right.
20:47.48
mvhuber
Right? And having them figure out some of the challenges along the way for themselves as opposed to the adults like us telling them what they need to to know and what they need to do I mean does that as a coach does that resonate with you.
21:00.12
Coach Shannon
Ah, yeah I mean that's that's I would say that's very human like you know, of course even just reflecting and and being empathetic and things of that nature. You know that? yeah that definitely resonates.
21:11.31
mvhuber
Um, yeah. Okay, so what's what's the ultimately now that you're 7 years along you're adding teams like what's what's the vision or the goal for the program. Ultimately do you have like some. Milestone or some thing that you want to achieve down the road that you're shooting towards.
21:35.73
Coach Shannon
I'm a milestone that we recently accomplished. Um, we have ah 100 kids in the program which is thank you thank you? which is like I said far like just I wasn't thinking this far you know, but now I'm here we're adjusting and we're growing.
21:40.21
mvhuber
Okay, congratulations.
21:48.49
mvhuber
In.
21:52.98
Coach Shannon
Um, but you know just in in regards to I also coach high school at basketball I will say there's more of a more milestones there than with the program. The main thing for the program for me is is just development. Um, the trophies are great. Um, but that isn't.
21:56.34
mvhuber
Um, okay.
22:11.36
Coach Shannon
The end All be all I mean even once kids get to the the high school level. It isn't even about the trophies then you just want to compete and show what you can do um you know the trophies are again a sweet reward. We're competitive. We're out there playing. We do want that don't get me wrong. We do want to win? Um, but if it doesn't happen. It's not you know it's not a.
22:17.70
mvhuber
And.
22:24.83
mvhuber
Yes.
22:31.46
Coach Shannon
It's not the end of the story. You know again, we're we're competing for scholarships developing character like those are the main things that we're after with the program. Um, but just Milestones I would love to see you know down the road Some of our young men come through the program and young Ladies. You know, get off for scholarships then continue on their dreams but I mean even beyond that just just growing like it. It's really the Humanitarian efforts that are really pushing the program so just seeing the young man grow seeing the young ladies grow. Um the coaches that come you know through the program as Well. Just.
22:53.90
mvhuber
I am.
23:06.11
Coach Shannon
Everything that we have going on is beautiful.
23:06.58
mvhuber
Yeah, so like are there specific elements of development that you focus on like certain principles or things that like you're looking at and saying like these are the things that we want to bring out in the young people that we coach.
23:20.48
Coach Shannon
I would say um naturally I'm a shooter so I'm I'm always dissecting somebody shy looking at their form things like that. Um, but honestly my my thought with that is ah you can't train everyone the same.
23:30.00
mvhuber
M.
23:36.78
mvhuber
Yes I agree.
23:38.83
Coach Shannon
Because people are gonna be at different areas. Um, even just body development footwork Boy. There's so many components that go into it. So I mean there's there's drills that you can do as a unit and still get um, excuse me and still. Be productive and still see growth. But at the same time each person does they maneuver different. They think different or everything about them is different so you know even just me working for Enterprise you know I was managing personalities and managing people and it's really no different than with the coaching element. Um.
24:03.94
mvhuber
E.
24:17.24
Coach Shannon
Understanding that I can talk to this kid. You know aggressively and get a reaction and then or just get the reaction that we need or just this young man over here. Maybe I got to Pat his back a little bit you know before I give him some conversation you know, being flexible within understanding who you're managing at the moment. Um.
24:26.85
mvhuber
In.
24:34.47
Coach Shannon
Is is real big as well.
24:35.50
mvhuber
Yeah I mean I certainly subscribe to that philosophy as a coach and I've been a manager of people too. So I get it? Um, but I but I think the word that comes to mind when you're describing that the word that came to mind was you know there's a certain level of care that's required. Right? about what you're doing about the people you're doing it with to make the effort to get to understand each of those people individually because I mean the reality is is that there are a lot of coaches out there who don't coach that way right? It's my it's my style.. It's my philosophy. It's my program. It's my way or the highway.
25:02.17
Coach Shannon
Right.
25:09.58
Coach Shannon
It works for some don't give me it. You know it works for some but it doesn't work for me. It.
25:10.80
mvhuber
And you know.
25:14.50
mvhuber
Yeah, but that's important to understand right because a lot of times you know we're influenced by the coaches who coach us right for a lot of people and that's the way that people learn right? So You know we take we take what we learn from other people and we try to apply it and right it doesn't it doesn't work for you and it's important to understand that. Um, so like what are the coaching staffs look like I mean do you have one coach per team. Do you have um people who volunteer to assist like what are what's your staff look like.
25:41.14
Coach Shannon
Yeah, we ah have at least one per team. But this ideal for me to have 2 more eyes. You know, even being a coach if you're the head coach you're managing the game. It's tough to manage the game and the bench.
25:46.64
mvhuber
M.
25:56.64
Coach Shannon
You know when the players are coming out the game and they need certain conversations or maybe need a little motivation pumped into them. It can be tough so some of our teams. We don't have 2 coaches you know I'll sit on I don't culture a team I'm just the the founder and the program director but I will sit on the bench I will you know in the coaches we do rotate. So.
26:00.94
mvhuber
Um.
26:09.49
mvhuber
M.
26:16.57
Coach Shannon
As I mentioned you know we're all growing our relationship. So if one doesn't have one we understand hey it's It's good to have another set of eyes another voice just to round out the team.
26:24.98
mvhuber
Yeah, so talk about that I mean you know obviously as a program director. There's a set of challenges that you know you have right in terms of running a business right and growing the business building awareness trying to make it bigger, get more kids into the program. So like what are some of the day-to-day things that you deal with in your role. In that capacity that you know might be challenging for you or like what are some of the things that you do that You know are hard.
26:51.30
Coach Shannon
Um, managing managing working 40 hours a week and then also managing the the program um emails are coming through daily inboxes to our social media are coming through daily. Not to mention I work.
27:00.15
mvhuber
Um.
27:06.68
mvhuber
In.
27:10.50
Coach Shannon
At a middle school. So I'm consistently entertaining or you know conversing with ah a kid or 2 So there's flexibility in what I do with my job at work which is very very appreciated. Um, but I mean just just the the logistics of.
27:27.89
mvhuber
Um, yeah.
27:28.68
Coach Shannon
Just that running the business communicating effectively communicating everything that needs to be communicated responding in a good time I mean even just making sure I'm make it to practice on time or you know just being able to manage everything that I have to manage within a 24 hour window um
27:39.17
mvhuber
Sure right.
27:47.98
Coach Shannon
It's it's challenging is is very very challenging I will say None thing that ah allows for so much flexibility in my life I don't have any kids nor a wife. Um, so I'm still just you know me so that's that's a benefit. Um. But it's it's definitely a challenge I mean even from ordering Jerseys to getting merch um getting basketball just just making sure that we have everything that we need and even you know finding time for myself and all of that organized aos you know so I definitely need moments of wu side.
28:17.41
mvhuber
Yeah, right.
28:24.40
Coach Shannon
Time to myself so that could be challenging. It's too challenging too. But I also find fun in that as well just being able to navigate something that I'm enjoying um you know it it has its its low moments but there's definitely more high than the low. So um I'm challenged every day.
28:33.31
mvhuber
Um, yeah.
28:40.46
mvhuber
Yeah, well I can relate to that too because I'm in the same boat. You know trying to build a business doing a lot of different things to keep keep the ship going you know and and trying to like just navigate it all. It's hard. But when you're doing something that you love.
28:42.28
Coach Shannon
Everywhere.
28:55.52
mvhuber
You know and that there's purpose in that and that you care about what you're building and it's yours it makes it a lot easier to get out of bed every day, especially for me I find that working with for me working with kids and my primary clientele is high school and and some college but I find that like if I'm having a bad day.
29:02.36
Coach Shannon
Um.
29:14.46
mvhuber
And then I get to see one of my athletes. It makes my day better right? Like ah I get energy out of this personally that's me right? whereas when I worked in the corporate world I dread to get it out of bed and I don't want to go to this job and I and I should have been more grateful because I was getting a good paycheck but at the same time like you know I Just don't want to do this.
29:16.11
Coach Shannon
Yeah.
29:24.38
Coach Shannon
Um, yeah.
29:32.47
mvhuber
Now working with children. There's just something about it that that really energizes me and I think that that a lot of that keeps me going. So I mean I guess I'm curious too when you're talking about getting you know, equipment and merch and all those types of things like.
29:36.83
Coach Shannon
I agree I agree.
29:49.00
mvhuber
Do you have sponsors that you work with partners.
29:49.69
Coach Shannon
Ah, that is something that is growing. Yes, that is something that is growing something that we are very welcome and open to.
29:56.46
mvhuber
Okay, so is it typically like are you are you looking typically in the Grand Rapids community in Michigan anywhere. You can get the help.
30:03.92
Coach Shannon
Ah I mean right now. Everything's been pretty local. But I mean if there is anyone outside of Grand Rapids nationally internationally hello. My name is Dominique Shannon
30:10.85
mvhuber
Um, there we go. That's that's that's why I asked the question but but but it's it's true because I again I relate to that in the sense that you know we spend a lot of time and we spend a lot of money to grow our businesses because we believe in something that we're doing. And it all comes out of our pockets right? and everybody needs help you know and so you know every once in a while somebody comes along and says hey I Really love what that person's doing I Love what that group is doing and I want to help them and so that's part of the reason why I I do this podcast is to have people like yourself on to talk about your stories.
30:33.86
Coach Shannon
Um, to me.
30:49.38
mvhuber
Like talk about like what's important to you it. It. It's it's valuable to the people who listen and it's valuable for me to be able to have people like you on to get that exposure right? So that's a big part of the mission here is to kind of bring to light the people too like I'm friendly like I'm very um, friendly to. Development none organizations development None coaches development None parents because that's what it's all about right because at some point you retire from your sport right? Whether it's an high school college professional. Whatever it is. You're going to go on something else and you're not going to be an athlete forever right? so. Yeah, how do we become better athletes but also how do we learn those lessons so that those transitions out of sport are easier. They're more meaningful versus like being depressed. You know, being like you know what's my what's my What's my purpose in life. You know that's why we have these conversations. So um. I guess you know I would ask you as we're sort of maybe moving towards wrapping up a little bit like from a marketing perspective like how do you like? How are you spreading the word to the families that you want to ah engage with to have them come into the community like what sorts of things are you doing to sort of spread the word.
32:03.18
Coach Shannon
We've done a lot of work within the community earlier years and even now um with basketball and and partnering with certain events um being involved in certain college events as well. Um.
32:11.23
mvhuber
And.
32:19.50
Coach Shannon
Would say a lot of our again our humanitarian work. We've done a lot of free events whether it was. We did a father's day basketball training at the park. We've done a 2 on 2 for middle school and high school kids at the park which was also free. We've done a lot of free events. Um.
32:30.66
mvhuber
Um, and.
32:37.74
mvhuber
And um.
32:38.39
Coach Shannon
With basketball being the magnet and allowing the magnet to you know, bring everybody in and and now we give you the conversation and the information that we need to provide. We host an annual basketball tournament 4 team tournament. Um our labor day classic.
32:42.24
mvhuber
On.
32:54.44
Coach Shannon
Ah, which we host at the park and Dickinson park. We've hosted it there for the past couple of years result we've also hosted the tournament at King Park so it's a free tournament for team. So there's made up of 10 ten young men east so 40 guys.
32:56.46
mvhuber
Um.
33:10.18
Coach Shannon
Um, and we and they duke it out for you know, bragging Ris and ah a trophy and Mvp trophy the last couple years and it brings out the best talent in the Graham Rapids area we even had some young men from muskegan participate which was which was great but a lot of the kids in the Grandham Rapids area are participating. We choose 4 captains. Just based on you know their status in the basketball community and also you know them as a student athlete. Um, then they they picked their teams and you know battle it out on the on the black top. So a lot of what we do is also taking it back to how we were none introduced to basketball so we do.
33:42.74
mvhuber
Um, um.
33:45.36
Coach Shannon
Ah, paraking a lot of events outside especially in the summertime, especially during you know Covid season as well or you know it's Covid passed. Um, you know we were able to you know, get outside. But now we're back in the gyms. Everything's getting back to normal. It's been fun.
33:52.52
mvhuber
Cherf. Yeah.
33:59.77
mvhuber
Well that brings up a couple things for me 1 is like when I think about hosting a tournament like that like the logistics right of trying to pull that all together the host the cost of it right? like those are great events for the community and that obviously helps to build your reputation. It's a great thing you're doing but.
34:08.84
Coach Shannon
Right.
34:16.69
Coach Shannon
Right.
34:19.55
mvhuber
There's a lot of investment in that right? like just thinking about what it takes to pull that together sounds like a lot of work.
34:23.90
Coach Shannon
It is um but I have a great team like that's that's half the battles of will having a good team strong counsel and I mean each and every every event you know it seemed like there was something that was you know, delaying things or having something dragging. But at the end of the day you know it turned out to be a hit turned out to be a success so you know whatever bump we bumped into or rolled over it was worth.
34:48.60
mvhuber
Nice, nice and so you I wasn't thinking about this but you brought it up So how did covert affect all in how did it affect the business.
34:57.63
Coach Shannon
So during cover year I was actually invited to coach college basketball I was a graduate assistant at Salem universityed d two in West Virginia so I coached there under ah Robert Ford and and Carlos Robinson Um, great experience. Um, during the cover year we had you know close to what None games or something like that schedule 30 whatever it is. We are only able to play None we went None and 6 on the season. Um, we were testing None or 3 times a week um
35:22.71
mvhuber
Oh.
35:36.23
Coach Shannon
Having to stay isolated it was. It was really different when I thought about it from the experience of my college experience and you know just I mean living life normally and then we're asking our student athletes not to go to parties. You know, not be social. Um, only sit with the team at at lunch. You know it was.
35:47.73
mvhuber
Ah.
35:55.79
Coach Shannon
It was very different but um, we had None no, we had 1 we had None 1 major outbreak within the team. Um I was one to not catch it but just about most of the team came down with it so we did have it take ah a long break I think our break was close to a month before we actually got back out there and you know started playing again. So for me, you know I was down in West Virginia um doing that and also obtaining my masters at the same time and back home. Um, it didn't harm us. You know we weren't wherever we are now. Um at the time we were only. Ah, couple teams and I want to say 2 or maybe None teams in and we did have you know, limited access with limited people. So um, we really weren't you know, hit heavy. Um, and then with me going away I was still able to you know gain some valuable experience. Wow! There was a bit of a stop itch and you know everything that was going on around the world. But then once I came back home. Um I was there for a year once I came back? Um covid was starting to the restrictions were starting to be. You know a bit more lenient and then we just hit the ground running. So I really didn't miss much because covid. Paused everything and and my guy Landa Misner who's the the ah the assistant director. Um, he really kept things going for me so I'm thankful for him and that's why I mentioned the team like the team is is so valuable. You know you want to make sure you have quality people around you quality counsel.
37:13.15
mvhuber
Um.
37:23.27
mvhuber
Um.
37:29.67
Coach Shannon
There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes with basketball and and I'm thank very very thankful for him so he was able to you know, keep everything afloat and you know now that I'm back. We're both keeping it afloat.
37:29.79
mvhuber
I.
37:36.42
mvhuber
It's great. Excellent. So I guess a couple more questions I'm curious about the college coaching at the at the college level so were there any lessons that you learned in that experience coaching at Salem University that you've applied in your work working with high school like. Age a you you know basketball players like what did you learn from the college experience as a coach that maybe you apply in working with those high school athletes who want to get to that level.
38:07.73
Coach Shannon
Me going through that experience it upped my preparation level. Um practices are a bit more detailed Lingo is explained very very detailed even though watching a film is strongly emphasized.
38:11.89
mvhuber
And.
38:25.15
Coach Shannon
It's hard to preach to a student athlete that hey you're doing this. You're doing this. You're doing this. They're not looking at it from the other scopes. So the bird in the sky always tells the truth so to any coach out there. Please watch film with your kids is as early as possible. You know, just to break things down and give them ah a better understanding.
38:33.87
mvhuber
In.
38:44.20
Coach Shannon
Because I mean it can just seem like well coach. You're just barking them. You're not telling me anything but again watching the film that creates the outcome you know for the conversation. Um, so excuse me None
38:56.66
mvhuber
Ah.
39:00.86
Coach Shannon
Ah, um I got choked up I'm sorry can you repeat your question.
39:03.84
mvhuber
But I was I was just I was just asking you how your experience at the college level coaching and Salem has influenced what you're doing with the high school athletes like basically like you know I know you said like you're learning to be you learn to be more detail oriented right? put it in the work in the film room but like.
39:10.48
Coach Shannon
Right? okay.
39:17.96
Coach Shannon
Um, right.
39:22.51
mvhuber
What are some of the things that you saw there that you're not telling your high school guys like hey listen if you want to play at this level you need to do this besides maybe watch a film.
39:30.79
Coach Shannon
Um, I would say that a big difference that I realize is simply just making reads and understanding how to really play basketball I Mean there's a ah way to play basketball within your own feel and you know your own rhythm and flow of the game. Um.
39:37.20
mvhuber
Me and.
39:50.76
Coach Shannon
But None thing that we're seeing with you know, a lot of the kids in our community. They aren't being taught and that's another reason where the you know where the program comes in There's certain principles that I ask ask the director for each coach to touch on and not and I present those principles. So like that's the foundation of the program. Um, but yeah, just. You know, being able to make reason understanding why certain passes are being made. But again that comes from watching film and and breaking things down and and giving a different understanding. It's hard for me to tell again if a few possessions pass I finally get ah get a chance to call a time out and I'm trying to present something that happen.
40:15.11
mvhuber
And.
40:27.58
Coach Shannon
2 or 3 possessions ago I can say it but it'll have more of an impact if I'm able to watch it later after you know once the game is over. Um, so that's major like it. It's very very major but um, yeah, just reading just reading reading reading I can't emphasize that enough. But.
40:34.23
mvhuber
Definitely.
40:46.59
Coach Shannon
Those are you know more principles and and just more you know with breakdown drills like just going to the college level it really just gave me a better understanding of of how to again, prepare like I've sat through a practice at University Of Michigan when John Beeline was there so seeing how hate vary.
40:49.56
mvhuber
Um, in.
41:00.87
mvhuber
Yeah, great coach.
41:05.66
Coach Shannon
Seeing how he prepared was you know it was a eye opener for me and that was earlier um in my high school coaching days getting an opportunity to go to There's an event here called bcam um, and they host an even annual event where they bring in college coaches breakout sessions seminars things of that nature. So. Being in those environments and just listening um to conversation from you know, great coaches 1 1 of the coaches that I like is Bob Huggins I like listening to him. Ah I seen him at the one of the bee cam events and I just like the way his his team's always gar so I've always watched him very very closely but get an opportunity to.
41:38.70
mvhuber
I.
41:45.20
Coach Shannon
Ah, hear him and his philosophies like None thing that I learned too is you know coaches will go to these these conferences and these meetings and you know hear their favorite coach speak and then now they're changing everything that you know they even believe in and and I think you're supposed to you know chew the the to the meat spit out the bones I mean everything doesn't apply. Like it doesn't apply but just receiving the conversation allowing your thoughts to develop from other coaches conversation. Whether they've been successful or not There's a c for everybody.
42:08.75
mvhuber
Um. Yeah, all right? So here's the last question I'll ask you I asked this question to everybody to end in some form. Um, so if you had to give None piece of advice to a family right? Whether the supplier or the parents in terms of. What they should be thinking about when they're selecting a program an a a you program or a basketball program or any sport like what would that piece of advice be to that family in terms of what to think about.
42:42.17
Coach Shannon
The the quote I hate to answer your question with a question but what I would ask? The family is what do you want to get out of this because um, you know some may just be playing just to be playing. Their friend is playing and they want to give it a shot. Um.
42:48.72
mvhuber
Okay.
43:00.84
Coach Shannon
My son or daughter has started to develop a liking for the game and um, now we want to put them in the environment. You know, get them comfortable get them developing and see if they really want to do it Then you also have the well Um, well we the scholarship or nothing you know so.
43:16.81
mvhuber
Um.
43:17.40
Coach Shannon
You know it really just depends on you know what everybody is after um, most are after that scholarship and you know which is understandable. Um, but it also would depend on you know their age. So I mean there's so many different factors that I believe that goes into how to answer that question. So it's kind of hard for me to give a.
43:29.28
mvhuber
On.
43:35.85
Coach Shannon
Ah, direct answer. Um, but I mean even you know like I said if it was someone in the elementary Age. You know we the focus has to be development. Um, of course we want to win but you know if it was if if we're discussing and having conversations with parents and this. Just more about the Wins Wins wins then you know maybe we may not be the programmer for you and that's and that's fine. That's okay, um, but you know if it's more of the development than being around strong black men relatable men. Um.
43:58.50
mvhuber
What's fine.
44:04.71
mvhuber
Ah.
44:08.75
Coach Shannon
Relatable women coaches as well as we have. We do have representation which I believe representation matters sincerely um then you you know we're the place. But I mean there's like I said there's so many factors I wish I could answer it more direct but my mind is everywhere when you answer when you ask that question.
44:12.48
mvhuber
The.
44:20.30
mvhuber
No, it's a great answer. It's a great. It's a great answer. It's a great answer in the sense that laya Sometimes you do have to answer a question with a question because you're right because your program would think what I heard you say is your program is not for everybody right? This is what you do.
44:37.40
Coach Shannon
Um, thread it.
44:38.98
mvhuber
And this is what you want to do well and if it doesn't fit for a family that's okay, you're not there to bring everybody in you're bringing the people in who believe in what you're doing which is what's going to make the program stronger over time. It's a great way to end.
44:50.24
Coach Shannon
Absolutely.
44:55.56
mvhuber
Domini. Thank you for coming onto the podcast. It is great getting to know you and and talking to you and hear more about what you're doing best of luck with everything and let's stay in touch you too. Thanks a lot.
44:56.95
Coach Shannon
Um, absolutely. Sounds good I Appreciate the time have a good one.