Indiana University Athletics
Sampson in Kuwait
5/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
May 25, 2006
Indiana University basketball coach Kelvin Sampson is in Kuwait for the second straight summer. Sampson, who is part of a group of coaches who are coaching U.S. military basketball teams in a tournament from May 23-29, will make periodic reports in The Herald-Times. This is the first report.
I am coaching Team Arifjan once again this year. There are 12 teams that represent all branches of the military. Camp Arifjan has two teams. I am coaching Arifjan I, and Tubby Smith is coaching Arifjan II.
Everything we see down here puts things in perspective. Here's an example. There are sponsors for the event and each player receives a pair of brand-new sneakers.
Two players on my team wanted two extra pairs of shoes for a couple of troops who were involved in action up north and couldn't play in the event. That's when someone said what happens if they don't make it back? That really hit home and touched me. It's something these young men have to think about every day.
This whole thing just motivates you. It is an average temperature of 105-110 degrees every day and you never hear anyone complain. The base has about 8,000 troops, and they are on free time for the tournament. They come in with an M-16 around their shoulder or a 9mm strapped to their leg. They are so happy to see us here, and I'm with a terrific group of guys.
Honestly, this is like coaching heaven -- you have the referees making questionable calls, and no one complains. When they are out on the floor or on the bench, no one complains. Everyone looks you in the eye when you talk.
The other day I met four soldiers from Gary. We exchanged hellos, and they wished us good luck this season. They wanted to know about this year's team and we discussed some of the things going on at Indiana and it was a great experience.
We also met the camp commander, and he sat down with us and discussed different strategies and things they have been through. About a year and a half ago, the base was under attack from enemy mortars. They said we are safe now, but have to stay with our security at all times.
Tonight there is a town meeting where we try to meet most of the troops. They will take pictures, get autographs and just talk. It is something I am really looking forward to.
We're in the barracks with them at night, so we're not staying in some glamour hotel or anything like that. We sleep and get up with them and eat breakfast and get into our daily schedule. Basically thanking them for what they do.
My team played its first game last night and we won, which was real exciting for our team. The funny thing is you don't realize you are already with the greatest team because the greatest team in the world is the Army. Nobody complains. They respect you and play their hearts out. It's almost like a coach's fantasy-land.
