Experience The Buzz: No. 16 -- STEVE WILLIAMS | Sly Park Basketball School on Steno.fm

Experience The Buzz

No. 16 -- STEVE WILLIAMS | Sly Park Basketball School

March 04, 2021 1:00pm

1h 15m

Steve Williams is the GODFATHER of basketball camps in Northern California. This summer will mark his 39th year of running the popular Sly Park Basketball School. Tuesday-Saturday, campers live + breathe basketball from early morning (7 am) into the night. And Williams loves every minute of it. His key to success is the investment he and his staff put into the campers. On top of that, this former boys basketball coach at Grant High School, has endless and infectious energy. Thus his favorite saying ... "I am so STOKED, it's unbelievable."

In today's episode of Experience the Buzz, Host Steve Buzzard has his long-awaited conversation with his basketball mentor. "He is a blueprint for how basketball and other sport camps should be run. I am proud to call him my friend. You won't meet anyone more positive that Coach Williams. Our conversation hits THREE areas:

Segment ONE gets right into it. Steve breaks down the origin of Sly Park Basketball School with his good friend Ken Smith. We find out how Year One looked along with origin of the traditional blue + gold uniforms as well as the Sly Park logo. Steve breaks down his operation as well the loss of his friend that resulted in a partial location change.
Segment TWO is all about Sly Park Basketball School. Steve and I talk about life skills through basketball, why Steve's camp succeeds, the evolution of the game over an almost 40-year period, what a week at the camp looks like, and getting back to normal once the pandemic is behind us.
Segment THREE allows us a peek into Steve Williams growing up (St. John the Evangelist + Jesuit High School) to his entrance into the teaching and coaching world. That was highlighted by an incredible stint at Grant High School, including working alongside coaching legend Mike Alberghini. We finish off with RAPID FIRE 💥!

Here are some of my favorite HIGHLIGHTS ...
1. HARD WORK, TEAMWORK, SPORTSMANSHIP, + RESPECT -- The cornerstone to success when it comes to Sly Park Basketball School
2. "We teach them how to play, NOT A play. Running an offense takes discipline." -- when asked about one of the reasons Sly Park Basketball Camp differs from other basketball camps.
3. Steve's story about how he got into the University of San Francisco. Absolutely hilarious.
4. Steve's favorite singer? Wasn't expecting his answer ... but I LOVED IT!

Our Connection | Steve Williams and I became acquainted during my Winter League Basketball program. Steve would show up with camp flyers. We would chat and catch up on life. My boys Toph and Max attended Sly Park Basketball School and absolutely LOVED the experience. I have a lot of respect for Steve and the incredible work he does.

ENJOY THE TALKING STORY! 🏝

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