We just spent the past two weeks at your camp and we gained so much from it!  I know it might just be a start but this is what I think you have started. I have a lot to say so this may be lengthy, but please read on and bear with me.

To give you some background, my nephew Nathan is visiting from Seoul, S. Korea. He attends a military base school called Seoul American High School.

Nathan came to the camp feeling like he is not the best student or the best basketball player. Yet after two weeks he was able to leave with the camp’s highest award. We are grateful for this encouragement and distinction.

During the past two weeks, the basketball camp allowed us to talk about life, school, and basketball.
At first, Nathan had his fears and his complaints.

And pretty soon, I started to realize he didn’t like structure and just wanted to shoot the basketball around with friends. But this camp provided the discipline he needed.

The first week, Coach Aiello, worked with him and he provided the right atmosphere for Nathan to ease into the camp.  The second week, Nathan worked with Bryan McCormick.   I spoke with Coach McCormick and Coach Aiello at the start of the second week.  Coach Aiello said that Nathan needed to shoot.  And Coach McCormick immediately said, “I’m going to follow up on that and make that happen.”  Nathan took his first shot on Wednesday (of the second week). And the goal for Thursday was to have Nathan take two shots.  And he did that, too.

Nathan said on Thursday night that he felt he had become a better player over the past two weeks.  And he said that he was feeling more free to take shots.  He also felt that his niche was more of a defensive player.  So, throughout the week, Nathan learned about himself and was starting to define himself.  And in doing so, he was letting go of comments like, “I don’t think I’m good enough.”

Friday was a critical day.  We had considered missing this day due to other family obligations.  Nathan did not want to come, but it became apparent that “finishing” this camp well was so important.  And a big reason why we came on Friday and actually finished, was because of Coach McCormick. I mentioned to Coach McCormick on Wednesday that we may not be able to come.  And his response was, “Is there any way that you could change your schedule and make it on Friday?”  And when he said that, I realized this coach was committed to helping Nathan succeed and he wanted every single day and moment to count.

For the past two weeks, Nathan and I have had conversations to learn about working hard and doing the right thing.  And on Friday I think we had our best one yet. In the morning, he mentioned that Coach McCormick wanted his team to win the championship.  Nathan said, “Win the championship?  How are we going to do that?”  I said that Coach McCormick has the right attitude and if you don’t aim high, you are not going to achieve much.  We also discussed how you have to achieve small successes in order to build confidence. And then you will build greater confidence as you achieve bigger successes.  This camp was a time for Nathan to be successful, and thereby build greater confidence in himself.

And that is why I appreciate the spirit of this camp.  This camp is not just about basketball, but it’s about building hard work, skills, and enthusiasm into every aspect of your life.

Thank you, Coach Wootten for building that legacy.  Thank you, Terri, you fielded all my questions from registration to daily activities and more.  Thank you, to the coaches, of whom I don’t even know their names. They welcomed Nathan and helped him feel comfortable when we registered on the first day. Thank you, to Coach Aiello for believing in Nathan and encouraging him to “shoot!”  And thank you to Coach Bryan for helping Nathan to finish well. Thank you for seeing potential in Nathan to go beyond a defensive player, and to force that shot!

Many thanks all around!  I look forward to future successes as a result of this camp.

Thank you sincerely,

Ginia

(Aunt of Nathan – ACC Duke and UNC)