OK... That's Enough Snow

Jake Diebler, a former men's basketball player at Valparaiso, is now a Student Assistant Coach for the Crusaders, and a men's basketball correspondent for the HLN Blog.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am ready for this snow to be over and done with. I must admit that I beg for snow each year. In fact, I can't imagine going to the gym in December without snow on the ground. But that's just it, in December only!!! Since my childhood I wanted snow for Christmas, and still to this day I find myself making the same request every year. But I'm to the age now where snow after Christmas is more of a burden. Now that my wife and I have our own place, I have to shovel off the sidewalk and driveway. Taking out the trash is never fun, but snow makes it a lot worse! Not to mention, I have to get up 10 minutes earlier when there is snow because it takes that long to get my car into a drivable condition. Despite my disgust, I must admit that there is a sense of playfulness about a gentle snow. Every once in awhile I will get the urge to have a snowball fight or play some football.

Thankfully this weather has not affected our loyal fans, as they came out in full effect these last few home games. We are battling a tough stretch with five games in a 10-day period, and winning these last two were huge. The game with Detroit on Saturday was one of the most enjoyable games I have been a part of as a coach. We had a great crowd and the largest student section of the year. My favorite students were dressed up in their superhero outfits (they sit in the front row, just to the right of the band), and everybody was waving yellow towels above their heads. The game itself was intense and physical. It was the kind of game that makes me really miss playing. I was a physical player (sometimes too physical proven by my history with fouls), so I found myself sitting on the bench just waiting for Coach Drew to come down and put me in the game. Once every few games he will walk down the sidelines looking for someone on the bench to put in the game, and he pauses when he gets to me. I think at that moment we both briefly think "What if...". Then he smiles and puts a guy in that is actually wearing a jersey.

I really enjoy the bond that Coach Drew and I have developed over the past five years. I admit that there was some resentment my freshman year since I played about as many minutes as our water boy. But, that year alone was the most beneficial year of my playing career and will forever aid me in life. Despite my frustrations that year, Coach and I have built a relationship on trust and passion. We share a passion for basketball, helping young men grow in all aspects of life, and for our faith. Because of Coach and the mentor he has been for me, I have grown to know and love Christ. Coach has helped me travel to South America and Africa on mission trips and allowed for my faith to mature. I will forever be in Coach Drew's debt because of the lasting impact he has had on my life. One day when I become a Division I head coach, I hope to run my program with the dignity and spiritual standing that he is doing here at Valpo.