For the past two weeks I returned home to Columbia, Missouri to work my dad's basketball camps at Columbia College where this whole show began. I was in the sixth grade when my dad challenged me to spin a basketball on my finger and I've been building on that ever since. These camps are where I began showing off my skills in front of groups. It started with just a dribbling exhibition and now I'm spinning four basketballs at once and doing it to music! As was the case in Phoenix, my favorite part is watching the college players practice a trick when they think no one is watching.
These two weeks I used the 10-foot pole and challenged the kids to never say, "I can't." That phrase comes up too often at camps when a coach trys to teach them something new. I was teaching a kid to spin it one day and the last thing I told him was to do it a thousand times, and when he thought he mastered it, do it a thousand more. It's a good rule to live by.
Click here for a video of the show produced by the Jefferson City, MO news crew.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
NAIA Division I Final Four
My dad's basketball team made it to the NAIA Division I Final Four in Kansas City and I was fortunate enough to join him for the last three games of the tournament. Each year the NAIA puts on a short clinic for Special Olympians on Sunday involving the final four teams. Every year of the tournament the teams in the 32-team field take part in some Champion of Character event. My dad likes to use me and my skills to spare some of his players and entertain the group. At first I don't care for the attention and never feel like it's appropriate for me to be involved, but my dad always pumps up my show and skills and builds the anticipation with participants to the point that it's a disappointment if I don't perform. However, after each show I am always glad I did it. I guess you could say he's my marketing agent which is a good thing. Proverbs tells us not to toot our own horn so you need someone to do it for you.
Anyway, my dad was at it again at the Special Olympics event. I was especially defiant to perform this time because I had not practiced my skills since I left Phoenix in August. Needless to say, I was very rusty. By the time I heard about his antics it was too late. The stage was already set. So I spent the rest of the day practicing enough to be able to perform the basics.
As usual I performed adequately enough to entertain the crowd and had a blast doing it. There were four teams of talented players who were impressed as well, which is always satisfying for me. This show reminded me how much I enjoy performing and the satisfaction I gain from it. I'll have to continue practicing and honing my skills for future impromptu shows.
Anyway, my dad was at it again at the Special Olympics event. I was especially defiant to perform this time because I had not practiced my skills since I left Phoenix in August. Needless to say, I was very rusty. By the time I heard about his antics it was too late. The stage was already set. So I spent the rest of the day practicing enough to be able to perform the basics.
As usual I performed adequately enough to entertain the crowd and had a blast doing it. There were four teams of talented players who were impressed as well, which is always satisfying for me. This show reminded me how much I enjoy performing and the satisfaction I gain from it. I'll have to continue practicing and honing my skills for future impromptu shows.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Phoenix Mercury Basketball Clinic
My last performance in Phoenix was on Saturday, August 9 at the Phoenix Mercury basketball clinic. The Mercury players were on hand to teach the kids the fundamentals of the game. The first session was for ages 8-13 and there were nearly 70 kids participating! The second session was for ages 14-18 and accommodated around 30 kids. The Mercury players and coaches did an excellent job of instructing the kids on different skills such as shooting, passing, rebounding, ball handling, etc.
I had about 10 minutes at the end of each session to show my stuff. It was a great crowd. Everyone was very enthusiastic and even the parents enjoyed the show. After the first session the younger kids were even asking for my autograph and a picture!
This was the first time the Mercury players and coaches had seen my show. I always like performing in front of good players because they are always impressed. When I'm performing in front of them I try to incorporate more of the dribbling series so they can pick up something they like and try it later.
This was a great way to end my summer in Phoenix - with two great shows!
I had about 10 minutes at the end of each session to show my stuff. It was a great crowd. Everyone was very enthusiastic and even the parents enjoyed the show. After the first session the younger kids were even asking for my autograph and a picture!
This was the first time the Mercury players and coaches had seen my show. I always like performing in front of good players because they are always impressed. When I'm performing in front of them I try to incorporate more of the dribbling series so they can pick up something they like and try it later.
This was a great way to end my summer in Phoenix - with two great shows!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Faith and Family Night
It was my third performance at the US Airways Center. Last Friday I performed following the Mercury game vs. Seattle. It was an excellent game and we ended up winning. That's 3 for 3 on games we've won when I was performing during or after. Someone should take note of that statistic :)
This show was on the practice court for a collection of youth groups in attendance for Faith and Family night. It was great to perform for a group of Christians. "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them," Matthew 18:20.
This was a difficult show because I had to work the Mercury game that night. As soon as my responsibilities were complete I raced to the practice court and the group was waiting for me. I performed with no warm-up or prep time. It was by no means a flawless show but I think most were still entertained. I even added a new trick.
To replace the "broom message" I used a 10-foot fishing pole. I still delivered the same message but used the pole instead. After a volunteer balanced the pole I shared my message and then spun a basketball on the end of the pole while balancing it on my chin. It was sweet! It was my first attempt at that trick in front of an audience. I actually learned that one in the driveway. That just proves you don't need fancy resources to succeed. All I had was a ball.
The Lord has certainly blessed me with some great opportunities to share my gift. I hope they continue.
This show was on the practice court for a collection of youth groups in attendance for Faith and Family night. It was great to perform for a group of Christians. "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them," Matthew 18:20.
This was a difficult show because I had to work the Mercury game that night. As soon as my responsibilities were complete I raced to the practice court and the group was waiting for me. I performed with no warm-up or prep time. It was by no means a flawless show but I think most were still entertained. I even added a new trick.
To replace the "broom message" I used a 10-foot fishing pole. I still delivered the same message but used the pole instead. After a volunteer balanced the pole I shared my message and then spun a basketball on the end of the pole while balancing it on my chin. It was sweet! It was my first attempt at that trick in front of an audience. I actually learned that one in the driveway. That just proves you don't need fancy resources to succeed. All I had was a ball.
The Lord has certainly blessed me with some great opportunities to share my gift. I hope they continue.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Mercury Matinee
Well, definitely my most high profile show yet. A few weeks ago I performed for 300 girl scouts at the Girl Scout Lock-In at US Airways Center (home of the Phoeni
x Suns and Mercury). The show went great and the girls loved it. I even had the opportunity to share the broom message. For this I have an audience member balance a broom in the palm of his/her hand. The trick to doing this is to look up at the top of the broom and not down at the palm of your hand. It's a perfect metaphor to encourage kids to not concentrate on what they can't do - all of their limitations and shortcomings - but to instead look up at all of the possibilities and what they CAN do.
Anyway, while performing the Game Operations Coordinator of the Phoenix Mercury saw the show from his office window. He invited me later to perform in-game for the Mercury. Last Tuesday was my chance.
I had five minutes on court immediately before the team took the floor for warm-ups. It was the Mercury Matinee and Camp Days so over 10,000 kids from across the Valley of the Sun were in attendance. Not everyone had arrived yet for the announced sell-out of 15,500 people but I
would estimate close to 10,000 people were there. The largest crowd I've ever performed for!
I was able to play my music and even use audience volunteers, which is always the highlight of the show. I hit every trick! It was such a rush to stand out there at half court and hear my name called over the PA ("Bret the Ball Handler" :)) and then the music start to play and then when the crowd erupted at the end when I finished. So sweet!
x Suns and Mercury). The show went great and the girls loved it. I even had the opportunity to share the broom message. For this I have an audience member balance a broom in the palm of his/her hand. The trick to doing this is to look up at the top of the broom and not down at the palm of your hand. It's a perfect metaphor to encourage kids to not concentrate on what they can't do - all of their limitations and shortcomings - but to instead look up at all of the possibilities and what they CAN do.Anyway, while performing the Game Operations Coordinator of the Phoenix Mercury saw the show from his office window. He invited me later to perform in-game for the Mercury. Last Tuesday was my chance.
I had five minutes on court immediately before the team took the floor for warm-ups. It was the Mercury Matinee and Camp Days so over 10,000 kids from across the Valley of the Sun were in attendance. Not everyone had arrived yet for the announced sell-out of 15,500 people but I
would estimate close to 10,000 people were there. The largest crowd I've ever performed for!I was able to play my music and even use audience volunteers, which is always the highlight of the show. I hit every trick! It was such a rush to stand out there at half court and hear my name called over the PA ("Bret the Ball Handler" :)) and then the music start to play and then when the crowd erupted at the end when I finished. So sweet!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
To This Point
My performances began as simple demonstrations for Columbia College basketball camps. I would show the campers the ball handling drills and tricks I had been working on for about seven minutes each morning of a four-day camp. Then I added music and it became a show.
The performances really began to take shape during my junior year at Taylor University. I was the opening act of a one hour evangelical performance on a Spring Break mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I vividly remember the last performance (even the tiny girl that I pulled from the audience to spin two balls at once. It was a guaranteed failure turned thrilling success.) It was in the evening in an outdoor pavilion. There were plenty of kids in attendance with lots of energy which makes for a great show. I fed off the energy and hit every trick. I was only scheduled for five minutes but I was having too much fun and continued well past my allotted time. I don't think anyone minded too much though.
When we returned from the trip word spread that the show was worth seeing. I was asked to perform at Youth Conference which was truly an honor since that was the event at which I committed my life a year earlier. It was great to share my gift followed by my testimony.
I try to work in a message with each show. It would be easy to perform and have everyone leave talking about how awesome the tricks were or I was but it's more fulfilling, and longer lasting, to leave the kids motivated and inspired thinking they are awesome and can do great things.
During the spring of my senior the shows piled on. I performed again at Youth Conference and at a YC Benefit show. That was easily my worst show ever! I failed on a trick and couldn't let it go. I tried it again and again and again. Six times before I finally succeeded. The message stuck though. Never give up.
That spring I also performed for sixth graders visiting campus and a church youth ministry in Alexandria, Ind. The church show was my first show where I was sought after from an outside group. I felt truly blessed to share with those kids and shared a meaningful story about the parable of the talents.
And that was the start of my show. It was at the YC Benefit Show where a fellow performer encouraged me to "spin that rock. Spin it for the Lord." That's what I'm trying to do. Wherever the opportunities arise, I'm spinnin' for the Lord.
The performances really began to take shape during my junior year at Taylor University. I was the opening act of a one hour evangelical performance on a Spring Break mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I vividly remember the last performance (even the tiny girl that I pulled from the audience to spin two balls at once. It was a guaranteed failure turned thrilling success.) It was in the evening in an outdoor pavilion. There were plenty of kids in attendance with lots of energy which makes for a great show. I fed off the energy and hit every trick. I was only scheduled for five minutes but I was having too much fun and continued well past my allotted time. I don't think anyone minded too much though.When we returned from the trip word spread that the show was worth seeing. I was asked to perform at Youth Conference which was truly an honor since that was the event at which I committed my life a year earlier. It was great to share my gift followed by my testimony.
I try to work in a message with each show. It would be easy to perform and have everyone leave talking about how awesome the tricks were or I was but it's more fulfilling, and longer lasting, to leave the kids motivated and inspired thinking they are awesome and can do great things.
During the spring of my senior the shows piled on. I performed again at Youth Conference and at a YC Benefit show. That was easily my worst show ever! I failed on a trick and couldn't let it go. I tried it again and again and again. Six times before I finally succeeded. The message stuck though. Never give up.
That spring I also performed for sixth graders visiting campus and a church youth ministry in Alexandria, Ind. The church show was my first show where I was sought after from an outside group. I felt truly blessed to share with those kids and shared a meaningful story about the parable of the talents.
And that was the start of my show. It was at the YC Benefit Show where a fellow performer encouraged me to "spin that rock. Spin it for the Lord." That's what I'm trying to do. Wherever the opportunities arise, I'm spinnin' for the Lord.
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