Lehman Coach: Lightning Will Electrify
Captain Alan De La Cruz (Tony Correa)
by Assanatti Ngoma Di Malonda
In 2008/2009, Lehman’s Lightning ruled the CUNY courts, winning 21 games and taking home the EACE championship. However, after that stellar season, many star players graduated and the team did not shine quite so brightly in 2009/2010.
“The 2009/2010 season was a season to learn from and forget,” says Alan De La Cruz, Lightning’s captain. “We learn from the opportunities that we let get away. As captain, it falls on my shoulders to put it into our favor by being a better leader.”
Last year was a test by fire for the young team, agrees Coach Steve Schulman. Now, he says, they use it as fuel. Schulman sits down with The Bronx Journal and explains how the Lehman Lightning will surprise everyone this 2010/2011 season.
Q: How would you sum up last season?
Schulman: Last season, we had a very young team with not that much of experience. We realized that last year was a growing process for all of us; overall, a year of improving and getting better.
Coach Steve Schulman (Tony Correa)
Schulman: The team worked extremely hard this off-season. The players had the spring program and the summer leagues together. Every returning player is stronger, moves quicker and shoots better. Moreover, we have had a very good recruiting class.
Q: What qualities are you looking for in a player when you recruit?
Schulman: The number one thing is obviously talent. Lehman College has really moved up academically so we need to find young men who are academically sound. Finally, the most important criterion is to feel that this player is going to believe in what you are doing.
Q: What makes a good team?
Schulman: The leadership. When you have team leaders who are mature enough to say the right things to the other players, it makes a good team. You also need them to believe in the coaching staff since the coaching staff is super important.
Q: What do you like the most about coaching?
Schulman: I love practicing the games. On Friday, at 7 pm, I am still fired up to practice. Obviously, I also love the energy of the game. I like the whole togetherness and the idea of having everybody coming together toward one goal.
Q: What will be your biggest strength this season?
Schulman:
Our strength this season will be our depth. Out of a squad of 15 players, 12 of them are ready to play already. This is something that I haven’t had in a couple of years.
Jonathan De Jesus (Tony Correa)
We will need to improve our team chemistry. The team is young. It needs to mature a little bit. We need to embrace the idea that we are all in this together, that nobody has his own agenda.
Q: Let’s talk a little bit about the summer camp you have here at Lehman…
Schulman: The main reason for this summer camp is to teach the basic rules and enjoy great basketball with kids from in and outside the community. It is an extremely inexpensive program where we welcome kids from all over NYC age five to 18 years old.
Q: How important are athletics in a child’s life?
Schulman: Kids need to go outside and practice as much as possible, so that it becomes a habit. I joke around with my guys, saying the basketball practice is the most important class they will have in a day, but I really mean it. Most of all they learn teamwork.
Q: What does the basketball program bring to the campus?
Schulman: Basketball is the number one sport at Lehman College. We also receive a lot of cheers from the community and the campus. People often come and watch the game. The whole basketball program brings a spirit and a local family feeling to the campus.
Q: Do you have a final word to the supporters?
Schulman: You are about to see a very exciting brand of basketball; kids who are willing to lay on the line for the 25 games – more if we play post season. We love your support and so we hope to see you at the games.