Dear Mr. Vachon,
As I was lying awake in my bed a few nights ago, I was
thinking about basketball and how excited I was for my first game. A
minute later I thought back to that very day when I walked into the
Civic Center to go to your camp. A million thoughts were running through
my mind, some being: "oh my gosh all of those kids are so big" "I
hope I get a nice coach that doesn't yell" "I hope Mrs. Vachon is
here" and lastly, "get me the heck out of this place". That day was just
a few short years ago, but I remember it so clearly, mainly because of
you. You are the reason I am the player and the person I am today.
Not only did I learn
how to play basketball at your camp, but I learned what life was really
all about. It is not about winning and losing; it is about trying your
best and working hard to be a good person each and every day. You have
brought me to who I am today and what I will do tomorrow. Tomorrow I
have practice again and as I am running up and down the court, all I
will hear in my head is your voice saying "Natty, push, go harder, give it your
all," and if I listen to those words then I should be okay. You
can't do it for me on the court tomorrow, but I can do it for you. When
I'm taking foul shots tomorrow all that I am going to think about is
Nattie Nimon and the day at camp when I had to shoot in front of everyone. Wow, what
an embarrassment! haha. To this day every time I shoot a foul shot the
words, "one more time", echo in my head.
Stop on red, go on green, POW, the Cha Cha Slide, the
list goes on and on. Those basketball camp memories never will be
forgotten. Last summer was my last summer being part of your camp.
It was hard shooting that last jump shot in pickle ball, taking the last
lay-up in Summer Heat, hearing your Chrisanne Burns story one last time,
and lastly walking out of that gym knowing I will never win another
Capital City Clinic Championship. My years at that camp seemed to
vanish, but never will they be forgotten in my mind. I wish I could go
back to fourth grade and live it all over again. What an experience and
I want to thank YOU for giving me that experience.
No matter whom I have for coaches in the future, what
teams I play on, or who my teammates are, I will always know where I
first learned the meaning of life, not to drink and drive, and lastly,
how to play and love the game of basketball.
Thank you,
Natalie Tortorella |
Mr. Paul Vachon
During the week of June 26, 2006, I transported my
granddaughter and my neice to your basketball clinic at the Augusta
Civic Center.
During that week, I had plenty of opportunity to
observe what I consider one of the most impressive, organized,
meaningful and rewarding weeks these young basketball players could
possibly experience. You and your staff made a lasting impression
on these girls by teaching them basketball skills, the ability to meet
new firends, and to have fun even if they lose. Even though we had
a one hour travel time each way and they were tired, it was easy to tell
that they were excited for the next day and were talking of returning
next year.
Your closing speech regarding the4 two awards given in
memory of two of your former students was powerful and I also hope it
made a difference in many lives. In closing, I would like to say
that I am no authority on baksetball clinics but I have worked at a
local high school (and still do) for 38 years as the principal's
secretary and have seen many coaches, many basketball clinics, and
certainly many students come and go.
Bravo, Mr. Vachon, to you and your staff.
Sincerely,
(Name withheld to protect the writer's anonymity)
|
Cony Girls Basketball Program
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