Hello,
My name is Ian Pace this represents my first attempt at blogging so I ask for forgiveness in advance. I am in the second to last semester here at Bowling Green State University. I am currently seeking my master's in Sports Administration while also working as a graduate assistant for the football team. The past two years have provided me with many great experiences. However, with those experiences have also come great trials and tribulations.
My first year at Bowling Green I worked as academics graduate assistant for the football team. My responsibilities included class checks which have become a staple of our program, grade checks, weekly academic meetings, running study hall and any other academic matter. In short, my first year was busy and I went as hard as I could for as long as I could. This was not only my first year but also the entire football staff's first year. Overall, the staff did a wonderful job the team finished with a 7-5 regular season record and earned a postseason bowl bid to the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. A contribution I helped assisted in was the eligibility of all 105 team members for the bowl trip. I was and am still extremely proud of this accomplishment especially given all stories heard in the news regarding academically ineligible players.
As a result of hard work and fortunate opportunities I was given the opportunity to become the offensive graduate assistant for our staff in my second season. I am extremely lucky with this role especially given how many young coaches there are and how hard they all work. This past season was a difficult one as the team struggled to a 2-10 finish. Further, I myself struggled with the concepts of our playbook and am still working to fully grasp the offense. I do know one thing I will work until I have a complete and true understanding of our offense. I love my job and people I work with, so I consider myself to be a truly lucky individual.
Academically, school at Bowling Green has been good and getting to learn a new topic different from my undergraduate focus of political science has been an excellent experience. Balancing class and work took some transitioning though I have finally grasped the time management skills necessary to achieve a proper balance.
I am excited to take this course as I usually associate sport with mere physical activity not considering the social implications of sport and fitness. In terms of the most profound book I have read in sport I consider Jim Tressel's Winners Manual extremely influential though I now have a different perspective on it as a result of recent actions undergone by his program in particular playing suspended players in the Sugar Bowl. Furthermore, I enjoyed reading John Wooden's The Greatest Coach Ever as it provided insight from several individuals I look up to and admire.
Well I hope I didn’t make too many people fall asleep reading this blog. I promise they will get better until next time.
Hey Ian thanks for the comment on my introduction. I never realized that you were a Cleveland Sports Fan. I always assumed that since you played at Fordham that you were an East Coast guy. Good luck on the coaching journey!
ReplyDeleteHi Ian,
ReplyDeleteFirst let me say that you have nothing to apologize for in your first blog entry. What you shared was interesting and you did a great job of highlighting some of the important experiences you have had in your time at BGSU. I would be interested to know more about your football playing background since Scott mentioned that you played at Fordham. I assume you played offense since that is the most recent position you obtained. I was interested to note that you mentioned the difficulty of the playbook, since I heard something to that effect from some of the football players (and/or those familiar with the program:-) in previous classes--but I will not disclose any names. I can understand how difficult it must have been to go from a 7-5 season and playing in arguably one of the most exciting bowl games to having the season BGSU had this past year. I am sure everyone is working hard to turn things around next season!
I could relate to the most compelling books you shared. I have always been a big fan of John Wooden, and in fact, he inspired me as a tennis coach. I remember reading about the "pyramid of success," and noticed that his players really admired him. I have not read the book by Tressel but have heard rumors that he might step down after this year. They may be only rumors (perhaps you know more about that), but I wondered if recent events had anything to do with those rumors.
Thanks for sharing what you did in your first blog entry. I look forward to reading your future entries.
Dr. Spencer
Ian,
ReplyDeleteYour sort of a "trail blazer" for the Acdemic GA's here because you were the first to do it. Beacuase of your experience that first year I was way more prepared to take on the academic responsibilities this past season. I still don't know how you were able to juggle class checking, study hall, meetings, AND your own school work all by yourself, but i am glad you were becuase I'd be lost if it were me lol
Asil,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all your compliments I am grateful for the oppourtunity to pass on the knowledge I gained from my mistakes. I guess it was inevitable as there was no policy manual or guidelines on how to handle the variety of things I was asked to do. And to answer your last question alot of coffee assisted greatly in making it through year one at BGSU. Good luck as the rest of your jounrey continues.
Hi Ian,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to everything you said....being a graduate student and graduate assistant for the football is great, but time management is essential. I give you props for maintaining 105 football players grades to keep them academically eligible for the bowl game. For me the most interesting thing about being a grad assistant has been the different perspective I see now versus being a player. I really appreciate the time and effort the coaches put into their job a lot more.