New basketball assistant finds challenges at Montana
10/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The University of Montana's new assistant men's basketball coach keeps a mental picture locked in the back of his mind.
Rodney McConnell sees himself, in his mind's eye, as a young boy gazing out a window on a world full of racism, violence, gangs, homelessness and drugs. The picture portrays the many neighborhoods he grew up in.
The image is the source of McConnell's strength. As the picture is replayed in his mind, he becomes aware of his ability to make a difference.
McConnell plans to heal the world one basketball player at time.
"This is where I get into trouble," he said. "I feel like I can change anyone."
This attitude originated from his mother.
He was raised by a single mother outside New Orleans. His father left before McConnell turned 5.
McConnell learned the enjoyment of helping others at an early age.
McConnell recalls one day during his youth when he was mowing grass in New Orleans. His family had just moved to the area and he couldn't help but notice his neighbor's neglected lawn.
Having never met the owner of the house, McConnell fixed up the yard without asking the owner. He made it look nicer than his own. The old woman who lived in the house came outside with tears streaming down her cheeks. She was so grateful for McConnell's generosity.
That day, McConnell was touched deeper than the crying woman.
By the time he was 17, his family had moved 15 times. His mother struggled to support McConnell and his two sisters.
Since the time he was 15 years old McConnell worked a full-time job, attended school and played basketball. He has kept only one paycheck in his life; the rest he has given to his mother. He does not want her to take a second job in addition to the 80 hours she already works.
During high school, McConnell worked at Strict's Culinary and Catering restaurant. Cooking became a casual hobby, and said he is waiting on some pots and pans his mother sent him in the mail. Finding his way around the kitchen is sometimes easier than finding his way around the court, he said.
"I know more about cooking than the X's and O's of basketball," he said.
And McConnell knows a lot about basketball.
He played two seasons at a junior college in Louisiana and finished his eligibility at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. He majored in exercise sports studies and minored in computer information systems.
After graduation McConnell worked at Tarleton as an assistant coach while earning his master's in physical education.
At 24 years old, McConnell could be in the prime of his playing career. Opportunities to play overseas have presented themselves more than once.
But less than a year ago McConnell's life changed drastically.
"I drove home and saw something I've never seen before - your only parent dying," he said.
A rare tumor was found in the back of his mother's head. Although it wasn't cancerous, the tumor is one of the only cases that have ever been discovered, he said.
Specialists from China came to administer a three-month radiation treatment at the Massachusetts General Hospital on Harvard University's campus.
"Everything else pretty much stopped," McConnell said. "Nothing else really mattered."
He stayed with his mom in the hospital for a month, giving her comfort and support.
"I know what I'm living for; I'm living for my mother," McConnell said. "I want to provide for her so she never has to work again."
As much as he hates to be away from his mother and 8-year-old sister, McConnell is trying to make a name for himself at UM.
"I knew I needed to use basketball to get somewhere," he said.
He never imagined that somewhere would be Montana, and his first impressions have not been delightful.
Even after growing up in New Orleans, it was not until McConnell came to Montana that issues of violence and racism were thrown in his face.
Already, in the short time he has lived here, his car has been vandalized twice and a drunk man at a bar asked him how it felt to be a nigger.
"I have never been called that in my life," McConnell said.
Yet growing up on the streets causes a person to mature faster, he said. McConnell simply smiled at the man and replied, "The same as it feels to be you."
"Even the bad things help me to be an overachiever," he said.
McConnell allows nothing to hold him back. He has conditioned himself to find the good in every bad situation.
Despite living far away from his family and his recent concerns experiencing the snow, McConnell said working for head coach Pat Kennedy is the best opportunity he has ever received.
"He's as close as you can get to the perfect coach," McConnell said.
As a young man in the basketball profession, he said he believes Kennedy sees aspects of himself when he was a young coach. Most of the players on UM's team are close to McConnell in age, but he said it helps his coaching.
"Age doesn't make a difference anymore, it's how you relate to players," he said.
He wants to teach these players life skills rather than basketball fundamentals. Passion, appearance, punctuality, and pride in your school and self are all important aspects of the game and life, he said.
"No matter how good a kid is, if his heart is the size of a dump truck he'll win," he said.
He hopes to eventually work his way up to a head coaching position and beyond. His goal is to motivate, inspire and help people. He wants to occupy a prominent position, be it as a coach, athletic director or university president.
"You are not heard until you're known." he said. "I want to be whatever it takes for people to listen to me."
Rodney McConnell sees himself, in his mind's eye, as a young boy gazing out a window on a world full of racism, violence, gangs, homelessness and drugs. The picture portrays the many neighborhoods he grew up in.
The image is the source of McConnell's strength. As the picture is replayed in his mind, he becomes aware of his ability to make a difference.
McConnell plans to heal the world one basketball player at time.
"This is where I get into trouble," he said. "I feel like I can change anyone."
This attitude originated from his mother.
He was raised by a single mother outside New Orleans. His father left before McConnell turned 5.
McConnell learned the enjoyment of helping others at an early age.
McConnell recalls one day during his youth when he was mowing grass in New Orleans. His family had just moved to the area and he couldn't help but notice his neighbor's neglected lawn.
Having never met the owner of the house, McConnell fixed up the yard without asking the owner. He made it look nicer than his own. The old woman who lived in the house came outside with tears streaming down her cheeks. She was so grateful for McConnell's generosity.
That day, McConnell was touched deeper than the crying woman.
By the time he was 17, his family had moved 15 times. His mother struggled to support McConnell and his two sisters.
Since the time he was 15 years old McConnell worked a full-time job, attended school and played basketball. He has kept only one paycheck in his life; the rest he has given to his mother. He does not want her to take a second job in addition to the 80 hours she already works.
During high school, McConnell worked at Strict's Culinary and Catering restaurant. Cooking became a casual hobby, and said he is waiting on some pots and pans his mother sent him in the mail. Finding his way around the kitchen is sometimes easier than finding his way around the court, he said.
"I know more about cooking than the X's and O's of basketball," he said.
And McConnell knows a lot about basketball.
He played two seasons at a junior college in Louisiana and finished his eligibility at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. He majored in exercise sports studies and minored in computer information systems.
After graduation McConnell worked at Tarleton as an assistant coach while earning his master's in physical education.
At 24 years old, McConnell could be in the prime of his playing career. Opportunities to play overseas have presented themselves more than once.
But less than a year ago McConnell's life changed drastically.
"I drove home and saw something I've never seen before - your only parent dying," he said.
A rare tumor was found in the back of his mother's head. Although it wasn't cancerous, the tumor is one of the only cases that have ever been discovered, he said.
Specialists from China came to administer a three-month radiation treatment at the Massachusetts General Hospital on Harvard University's campus.
"Everything else pretty much stopped," McConnell said. "Nothing else really mattered."
He stayed with his mom in the hospital for a month, giving her comfort and support.
"I know what I'm living for; I'm living for my mother," McConnell said. "I want to provide for her so she never has to work again."
As much as he hates to be away from his mother and 8-year-old sister, McConnell is trying to make a name for himself at UM.
"I knew I needed to use basketball to get somewhere," he said.
He never imagined that somewhere would be Montana, and his first impressions have not been delightful.
Even after growing up in New Orleans, it was not until McConnell came to Montana that issues of violence and racism were thrown in his face.
Already, in the short time he has lived here, his car has been vandalized twice and a drunk man at a bar asked him how it felt to be a nigger.
"I have never been called that in my life," McConnell said.
Yet growing up on the streets causes a person to mature faster, he said. McConnell simply smiled at the man and replied, "The same as it feels to be you."
"Even the bad things help me to be an overachiever," he said.
McConnell allows nothing to hold him back. He has conditioned himself to find the good in every bad situation.
Despite living far away from his family and his recent concerns experiencing the snow, McConnell said working for head coach Pat Kennedy is the best opportunity he has ever received.
"He's as close as you can get to the perfect coach," McConnell said.
As a young man in the basketball profession, he said he believes Kennedy sees aspects of himself when he was a young coach. Most of the players on UM's team are close to McConnell in age, but he said it helps his coaching.
"Age doesn't make a difference anymore, it's how you relate to players," he said.
He wants to teach these players life skills rather than basketball fundamentals. Passion, appearance, punctuality, and pride in your school and self are all important aspects of the game and life, he said.
"No matter how good a kid is, if his heart is the size of a dump truck he'll win," he said.
He hopes to eventually work his way up to a head coaching position and beyond. His goal is to motivate, inspire and help people. He wants to occupy a prominent position, be it as a coach, athletic director or university president.
"You are not heard until you're known." he said. "I want to be whatever it takes for people to listen to me."
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