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Summary My figure world I intend to observe the Charlotte 49ers basketball community.

I currently serve as one of the student managers for the team. This will be my second year with the team. I mainly assist in player development now which consists of shooting with certain players and engaging in talks about the offense. My goal is to be able to soak up as much knowledge about basketball as I can during this time period. Hopefully I can build up enough contacts to where I can this gig can land me a job outside of college. The main purpose of observing the Charlotte 49ers basketball team is based on my love for the program. I grew up a diehard fan so it only makes sense to follow where my passion has taken me. I essentially live and die for 49ers basketball. Ive experienced pain and agony but some of the best times in my life have been on that court. There is truly nothing better than waking up knowing its game day. I had the privilege to talk to Coach Major about this. Blood sweat and tears are put on the court every game day and theres truly nothing like it. Charlotte Basketball is definitely considered a business based on the high amount of income they make for this university. I do consider it a "family business" because the program is built on being a part of a brotherhood and always having each others backs. Many crowds frequently attend Halton Arena for over 15 home games a year. Halton Arena seats just over 9,000 people and frequently has an electric atmosphere. This year will mark our return to Conference USA. Teams will be located all over the south including Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and so on. Everyone is excited based on prior experience and affiliation with Conference USA. Appropriate behavior includes knowing what each guy is expected of them. This includes players, coaches, managers, and any part of the Charlotte 49ers basketball staff. Managers assist in the player development, and the day to day operations of the basketball team. This includes laundry and issuing all gear and equipment that the players receive. The managers are the backbone of this program and get little attention even though we never take credit nor do we want it. Coaches are expected to game plan and coach the players to reach their full potential. Its truly amazing to watch all players develop year in and year out. Coaches get the most attention because they are ones coaching and managing the team victories. Coaches are in charge in the full out game preparation. This includes scouting reports and how we should approach the game. Our coaches helped Charlotte reach over 20 wins for the first time since 2008 and a postseason berth in the NIT. Players are expected to abide by team rules and be a successful student athlete. This includes winning games and more importantly becoming a great student. The number one thing stressed to the players is accountability. If each player holds themselves accountable you can expect to see success on and off the court. Another thing instilled in players is humility. No one owes you anything and neither does the next thing. Taking ownership is something stressed to everyone no matter what his or her role is on the team. The word Brotherhood has been instilled in this years team. You can sense the true love everyone has for each other which makes this a special program to be around.

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Comment [1]: This is a good start to your assignment, but I think you can go a bit further beyond the guidelines. Your introductory summary is particularly detailed and sets up the rest of your paper really well. For the final portfolio, I want you to revise/add the following: You mention in your summary that you would eventually like to work for a basketball team. I want to hear more about this; what sort of job do you envision getting? And how does the kind of work you currently do help you work toward your goal? Be sure to add your own definitions of the terms artifacts, actors, and figured world etc. See the Example Observation Notes for a model. Pictures of the site with captions would also be really helpful to your readers. You do an excellent job of describing what you see going on in the location, but it alway helps to have visuals with captions. Maybe some sort of picture slideshow would work best; this is an easy addition that you can make in your Wix portfolio. A list of terms significant to the figured world of basketball would be really useful. Though I am familiar with the game and understand all the observations you shared, think about other readers that may not know much about the game and how it is played. These terms can be located somewhere toward the beginning of your paper (guard, layup, dribbling, etc); Louis in our class does an excellent job incoporating relevant terms, so you may ask to see his example. !

Descriptions of LocationsThere are three major locations the Charlotte 49ers basketball team deals with on a daily basis. They include Halton Arena, the locker room, and the basketball office. Halton Arena is the on campus 9,000 seat arena that the team plays in. The locker room and office is also located in the Arena. We are truly blessed to have such nice facilities. Posted below is a picture I took of Halton Arena. This is where the team practices and plays all its games.

Actors Alan Major- Coach Major is them man in charge of the whole program. There is truly not a better man in charge. He preaches humility and accountability to the players. His office is always open. Im low on the totem pole being a manager but he truly treats everyone the same. Ryan Odom- Coach Odom is one of the assistant coaches we have. Coach Odom comes from a great coaching background. His dad was a Hall of Fame coach for Wake Forest and led them to the final four. Coach Odom is an unbelievable frontcourt coach. This means that he can teach the players how to play down low really well. Odom is such a likeable guy and has really made an effort to talk to me on many occasions Desmond Oliver- Coach Oliver is another one of the assistant coaches for us. Coach Oliver is one of the best motivators I have ever seen. He makes you strive to perfection and to always execute perfectly. Ive always been impressed how Coach Oliver articulates his wording. He knows dumb it down for guys like me when teaching me plays, offenses, and etc. Blake Simmons- Blake is an undergrad manager like me from the Winston Salem area. Blake is truly a student of the game. He will be a coach running a program one day. There is no doubt about it. Colby Lewis- There may not be a more likeable guy in this program than Colby Lewis. Colby is a Graduate Assistant for the program. He always has smile on his face and is always in a joking manner.

Rhett Bonner- Rhett Bonner is a program Intern for our program. Rhett assists in video for the team. This includes when scouting the other team. Rhett is a first class individual who is always willing to help Denzel Ingram- Denzel is a sophomore point guard from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Denzel is real chill and easy to get along with. He is also really funny and makes numerous jokes with the team. Braxton Ogbueze- Braxton is a sophomore point guard/shooting guard from right here in the queen city. There may not be a harder worker on the team than Braxton. Braxton literally lives in the gym. He is also a great student and great friend. Pierria Henry- Pierria might be the most down to earth guy on the team. He is always in a chill mood and lives life to the fullest. But dont be mistaken Pierria is a warrior on the court. Great defender that works hard to get better. Gavin Wilson- Gavin is a walk-on guard from the Raleigh. He is one heck of an athlete and probably could have played football in college. He and Denzel are best friends who both played AAU ball together. Terrence Williams- Terrence is a wing from right here in the Queen City also. Terrence is shy if he doesnt know you well. One thing I noticed is how well he takes everyone under his wing under the team. Hes a great role model that guys can look up to. Marcus Bryan- Marki is a freshman from Raleigh and one of my roommates. Marki is a great friend and easy to talk to. He really cares and is always willing to listen and give his opinion under any topic Willie Clayton- I would consider Willie to be the ambassador of this program. Willie comes from Georgia and boy does he believe in southern hospitality. He says hello to everyone and is always in great mood. Mike Thorne- Big Mike stands almost 7 feet tall and is from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Mike is a great student and great friend. My friendship has really grown with him in the last year or so. Bernard Sullivan- Bernard is truly a first class individual. Bernard has a goal of becoming a Pastor once down with college. He is truly always there for you and hosts numerous bible studies with the team. Ive had the privilege of having many deep conversations with him and I look forward to many more. Shawn Lester- Shawn happens to another room mate of mine. Shawn is hilarious and will always make you laugh. This will be his first year playing and hes worked hard for this.

ArtifactsNike basketball- the basketball is the sole reason while we are all here. Whether its the coaches, managers, or players we are all connected to that ball. Nike Gear- Its the one thing that symbolizes what we stand for. The gear also separates from all other students on campus. Everyone knows who plays basketball or has some sort of connection to it. Practice Plan- The practice plan houses all the important information. This includes what particular drills we will do in practice and how we will game plan for all other teams.

3 Observations Observation #1 7:30 am Workout ( Denzel I, Braxton O, Pierria H, and Gavin W) 7:30AM- All guards have started the warm-up portion of the workout. Each guard is working on ball handling by dribbling to half court by zigzagging and letting the ball go through their legs. All guys are progressing well through the Ball handling, and passing portion of practice. Meanwhile Coach Oliver encourages all guards to stay low when dribbling. 7:45AM- All guards have now moved into the 5 on 0 Penetration & Post feed part of practice. Denzel and Braxton pass the ball to the block where Alex(manager) receives it and hits them for a cutting layup. Fatigue has started to set in based on the rapid amount of reps each player is getting. Blake (manager) provides each guard with a cup of Gatorade. 8AM- Coach Odom explains the 5 on 0 Fast break action called Action. Around this time Braxton starts to ask question about the exact play. It took three times before the play could be run right. 8:15 AM- The coaches move onto explaining the 5 on 0 set called 5. Coach Odom explains that this is a half court set and tells each guard their role in the play. Braxton and Pierria talk about the timing that is to be set between screens. Meanwhile Paul (manager) talks to Gavin about the back screen in the play. 8:30AM- Practice winds down and the team meets in the middle with all the coaches. Coach Odom tells the four guards that he liked what he saw. Execution is stressed to everyone no matter what play is being run. Coach Major ends the practice by saying take care of your business on and off the court.

Observation #2 Pickup Basketball 9/10 Whole Team 6PM- Terrence, and Marcus filter in first to the gym. Both go shoot on their own basket. Marcus talks about the long day at school while Twill works on his midrange game. 6:10PM- The rest of the team finally walks into the practice gym. A total of 15 players and 6 total managers are here to watch pickup. Blake (manager) assigns Terrence and Pierria as captains. 6:15PM- Teams are finally picked for 5 on 5. Willie clayton jumps center against Mike Thorne. Mike wins the tip and passes the ball to his point guard Denzel. Denzel makes a nice move and hits a baseline jumper to take the lead. 6:30PM- Pierria is locked up in a battle with Braxton on the other team. Pierria makes a nice move off a pick and roll but Braxton hedges it and makes a nice steal. Braxton finishes the play off with a coast to coast dunk. 6:40PM- Mike Thorne posts on the Lower block but Willie is in full denial. Willie fronts the post and is able to jump the pass and steal the ball. Willie hits Denzel in stride who in return kicks it Shawn Lester on the wing for an open three pointer. 6:50PM: Sloppy play causes Pierria and Willie to call out every single member of the team. Willie talks about the Brotherhood and how every player needs to remain close. 7:00PM: Pickup ends by Bernard Sullivan catching an alley from Shawn Lester. Willie breaks practice down by teaming it up and everyone yelling brotherhood.

Observation #3 Charlotte Mens basketball Office 3:00-4:00 3:00PM- Blake (manager) meets with Mark B(Director of Basketball Ops) about the gear each player receives. Blake and Mark decide to wait until the season nears before they hand out all the gear. 3:10PM- Mark meets with Stephen (Associate Director of Basketball Ops) about travel for the away game in UTEP. Both agree that the smart thing to do is leave 2 days early so the team can arrive on time.

3:20PM- Mrs. Libby (secretary) answers numerous phone calls from students who are interested in the walk on tryouts. She gives them all the necessary information that it takes to try out for the team. 3:25PM- Grad Assistant Colby Lewis walks into the office with Bernard. Bernard grabs water from Coach Majors office. Both talk about the individual workout and how Bernards jumper was somewhat flat. 3:35 PM- Rhett( Program Assistant) talks on the phone with high schools verifying the Head coach for each school. He then takes the coaches name and places it in a database in case it is ever needed. 3:40PM- All coaches have a quick meeting about recruiting and academic progress for this coming year. 3:45PM- Alex(manager) walks in and talks to Mrs. Libby about whether he should shave his beard or not. They both agree that the beard makes him look older even and he should at least wait another week to make his decision. 3:55PM- Willie Clayton walks in with his usually loud self. Willie walks straight to Coach Majors where they begin to strike up a conversation.

Interview with Shawn Lester 1. Explain how you first got started Basketball? Shawn- I first got started playing basketball when I was in fourth grade. 2. When did you first dunk a basketball? Shawn- I first dunked in the summer before the start of my eight grade year 3. What stuck out about Charlotte during youre recruitment process? Shawn- I would say the relationship with the coaching staff stuck out. Its a true family here at Charlotte. 4. Whos the toughest guy youve had to guard so far in your lifetime ? Shawn- The toughest guy Ive ever had to guard was JT Terell my junior year of high school. He was older than me and committed to Wake Forest at the time? 5. Whats the teams goal this year ?

Shawn- Our goal this year is the same as always, get to the NCAA tournament. We were really close last year.

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