Immaculate University was the dominant basketball team in the country in the 1970’s. They were so dominant that for three years straight they went undefeated. From 1970 to 1979 they won the basketball crown every year. The best high school players in the country always went to IMU, as it was affectionately known. Most of the players that were part of the IMU basketball team, even those that sat on the bench, went on to play in the NBA.
That all changed in the 80’s. The change started with the class of 1980. For some reason, the new recruits came in with an air of arrogance. Even though they were good, they knew they were good and wanted everyone to know that they were good. The only thing that they didn’t realize was they had to earn that respect. They had to win. They were good with the trash talk off the court, but on the court they struggled. Their first three games were against small programs that realistically, never had a chance to compete. They barely won all three. Usually in these games in the past, they would win each by at least 40 points. That’s when people watching knew that this season was going to be different.
The rest of the season was a disaster. Not only did the team loose each game by at least double digits, but their on-the-court drama was an embarrassment. Team members would argue with each other with some, turning into fist fights. They would argue over who should take the shot and who should take the ball out and especially, over who was to blame when the other team scored. And what made all this worse was the fact that the games were being televised.
Coach Johnny Angel who everyone either called Coach or Angel couldn’t believe what was happening. He was the coach hired by IMU in 1970. The board of trustees just wanted the team to be competitive. The trustees never knew that who they hired would make championship basketball and IMU synonymous. But Angel had a way of getting everybody to work together to beat other teams no matter of their size or their speed. He was a master strategist. The only thing the team had to do was trust him and follow his plan. That’s what the 1980 team could not do. Angel couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t listen.
In 1980, IMU won only three games. That would be the last year that IMU would ever win another game. Since that 1980 team, IMU seemed to only attract those players with bad attitudes; bad attitudes with each other and especially, bad attitudes with the coaches.
Angel was a legend among basketball coaches. At such a young age, he had accomplished so much. But even with so many accomplishments, the board of trustees felt they had to fire him. Coach Angel understood.
IMU never had a coach to stay for very long after Coach Angel. In fact from 1980 to 2000, IMU averaged one coach a year. One year, they had to hire four coaches. Three left and the last one was fired.
So much as Coach Angel, he had offers coming in from just about every school in the country. Although he appreciated the offers, his heart was at IMU and always would be. So Coach Angel went back to just teaching at IMU.
For IMU, being bad wasn’t enough. The schools that IMU had played in the past definitely held a grudge. During most games when the other schools had the game in hand, they didn’t put their second string team in. They would only use the second string team to give the first string team a rest. The other teams would keep their first string in the whole game. The schools opposing IMU not only wanted to beat them, but wanted to humiliate IMU. The games got to be so bad that IMU lost all their TV rites. No station would carry IMU basketball games anymore.
The basketball program, which was once a highlight of the school, now had become a source of ridicule. IMU had become synonymous with disgrace.
Coach Angel could not believe what was happening to the school he so loved. The antics of that first class of the 80’s became a yearly epidemic. The recruitments that IMU seemed to attract grew worse and worse. What was happening on the basketball court was also filtrating into the classrooms. Not only were the players not listening to the coaches, but the teachers were having trouble with students in their classrooms. There was an atmosphere among the students that they could do what they wanted because of the school’s troubles.
Meetings were held with the trustees many times. No one could agree on what action to take. The trustees even hired outside help. They seemed to spend all their time with damage control.
Coach Angel was a man of strong faith. In his prayers, he never felt God leading him to resign, even after he was fired after the 1980 season. In another way he felt that he was part of the reason that the school was having this problem. Yes, before 1970 no one ever heard of IMU. But considering the school’s condition and reputation now, some think that wouldn’t have been a bad thing.
One day, Angel was looking out the window to an outside court that some of the students use to play amongst themselves. On the court was a young man who was shooting by himself. As he looked close, Angel realized that the boy seemed a little young to be a college student. Although Angel wanted to watch some more, he had to get to class.
The next day at the same window at the same time, Angel noticed that the same boy was there again by himself. Angel couldn’t help but notice the drills that he was practicing and the amount of sweat that he was eliminating. Angel could feel the young man’s heart just by the way he practiced. Angel told himself that if the boy was there again, that he would go outside and meet him.
Two days later, the young man was on the court again. Angel went outside, sat on the small section of stadium seats that were to the side, and watched the young man practiced. His drills were ones which focused on the fundamentals. He also practiced them until he felt they were done right. And he practiced with passion. Angel, to say the least, was impressed.
Angel asked, “What’s your name?”
The boy answered, “My name is Gilbert. Are you going to kick me off the court?”
Angel replied, “Are you a student here?”
“ No, sir. I go to Midian High.”
“Are you on the basketball team at Midian High?”
“Yes, sir. But I play second string. Did you want me to leave?”
Angel answered him thoughtfully, “No.” And with that, he began to walk away. But then Angel stopped. He put his hand on his chin, as to think, and then asked, “Will you be applying to college this year?”
Gilbert put his head down and says, “No, sir. I was hoping to get a scholarship, but I don’t think teams give scholarships to second stringers.”
“Don’t be so sure, Gilbert. I have seen the way you practice, and for the first time in decades, I am excited about basketball again.”
A smile creped on Gilbert’s face as he replied, “Really! You think, so?”
Angel answered, “Yes, definitely. But it’s going to take something.”
Gilbert’s smile turned into a grimace as he replied, “I knew it. How much do you want?”
“Everything,” Angel said without hesitation. And with a serious tone, Angel tilted his head slightly downward and spoke with all seriousness, “You have to listen to everything I say without any disagreements. Could you do that?”
Gilbert answered with a puzzled look on his face, “Who are you?”
“I am Coach Johnny Angel. Most people call me Angel. I am who brought basketball to IMU. And with your help, I can bring it back.”
“I’ve heard of you. But if you were the Coach that brought basketball to IMU, why have you let it get this bad? IMU is now a terrible team.”
“Gilbert, I was not the cause of the basketball team’s demise and humiliation. I only brought out its’ potential. When I was coach we won. But when the players became more than players and began being coaches, too, we became what you see today.”
“Gilbert,” Angel continued, “If you will allow me, I will bring back greatness to this school through you.”
Gilbert responded, “Uh, through me? I am a weak player on a weak team, now.”
Angel said, “I know that you can do it. I will be there with you and coach you. Gilbert, I know what you can do.”
And with that he began to walk away. But then he stopped. He turned back to Gilbert and said, “ Meet me here every day after school. We will begin practice tomorrow. Right now, I have some things to do.”
And with that, Angel started walking towards his classroom. He knew that he was going to have to get a meeting with the board of trustees and get his old job back somehow. Although, it has been thirty years since he last coached, he knew that he could be a great coach, again. His problem now was just convincing the board of trustees.
The meeting with the trustees was in an hour. Even though the trustees did not know why Angel wanted the meeting, they had such a respect for him, a reason wasn’t necessary.
In the meeting, the trustees were all there. There was twelve of them, all alumni. As Angel was about to speak, he made a sweep with his eyes of their faces. Each had wonderment and hope. Each, he could tell, wanted to listen in expectation.
Angel began, “I want to thank you, gentlemen, for coming today and meeting with me. For three decades, we have seen our school go from prominence to utter humiliation. The cause has not only affected out basketball program, our sports program as a whole, but also our academics. The cause, the infection, as you know was and is rebellion and a disregard of one another. The infection started as a spark, but is burning as a wildfire. In fact, as you know this fire still blazes on and we see no relief coming. I could have left this school as a coach and went anywhere. But I stayed. I didn’t stay for the money or any other reason other than I love this school and what this school represents. I come to you today, as a fellow alumni, a fellow leader, and as a friend to request of you today a decision. This decision really is a chance to try and bring glory back to a school that once had it and deserves it back. I would like for each of you to consider reinstating me as head coach of the basketball team starting next year. I believe that I have found a player who will lead us back to glory and out from under this cloud of humiliation. I would like your vote of confidence and your support. Thank you for your time.”
Dr. Bob Aldemann, the head of the Board of Trustees, looked down his left side and down at his right where the trustees were sitting with him and stated, “Thank you for what you just said”. He paused for a moment and then said, “Would you mind waiting outside for a few minutes?”
Angel, looking a bit confused, as he thought that they would dismiss him and get back with him in a few weeks, said, “Sure.”
When Angel closed the door, he immediately heard what sounded like all the trustees talking at once. He wasn’t sure what to make of all the chatter. Were they placed in a tight spot and wondering how to gently let down a good friend? Or were they excited about the prospect of Angel coming back as coach. Angel knew that worry wouldn’t bring any peace to himself so, Angel said a little prayer and just left the situation in God’s hands.
After about thirty minutes, which seemed like hours, the board asked Angel to come back in.
As he sat down, he tried to read everyone’s face in order to see what the answer might be. But he couldn’t. Although Angel gave it to God, he was still a little nervous.
Clearing his throat, Dr Aldemann said, “Uh, we were, to say the least, a little surprised when you called us for this meeting. Most of us here thought this was going to be about something academic, or about your tenor or even about a raise. None of us here thought that you would ever ask us back for your coaching position.”
Angel could feel that this wasn’t going to go good, so in his mind he was thinking of what his plan B could be. Nothing was coming to mind.
Dr. Aldemann continued, “We are all for bringing glory back to the school. We have all with little hesitation have voted for you being the coach except for Dr, Luicius. He hasn’t voted against you, but he does have a question for you. Do you have time to answer Dr. Luicius’s question?”
Angel responds, “Sure.”
Dr. Luicius stands up and asks, “Who is this player that is supposed to be our savior?”
“His name is Gilbert Norton.”
“Gilbert Norton? Isn’t he the high school player who sits on the bench at Midian High School?”
With a surprised look on his face, he asks, “Yes. Are you familiar with him?”
“Yes, yes I am. He plays on my son’s team, where my son is a starter.” With a slight pause with the impression of whether to say what he is thinking, he continues, “ Maybe my son should be our savior?” answers Dr. Luicius with a slight tint of sarcasm.
“Well, with all due respect, not all players mature at the same time. And also, sometimes coaches can miss talent accidentally.”
“Well, I’m sorry, Angel. I just can’t give you my vote. And I know that when you present anything before the board, you only want a unanimous decision. I’m sorry.”
As Dr. Luicius sits down, Angel goes to Plan B. God is so good in supplying that for him. He says, “I’ll tell you what. This Saturday, let’s get the boys together. We’ll play first string versus second string. If the second string doesn’t win, I will concede your position. But if the second string wins, you will give me your vote. What do you say?”
Dr. Luicius looking at the other trustees and then back at Angel says, “That won’t proof anything.”
“Sure, it will. I always believe that talking should be done on the court. I am trying to be fair about this. How else can I proof what I am saying?” Angel says earnestly.
After a long pause finally, Dr. Luicius concedes to the contest but with a little twist. “It’s not enough that the second string team wins. In order to get my vote, Mr. Norton has to lead his team in two categories of either scoring, assists, rebounds, or steals. That way I will know that this boy, who you think will lead this school back to glory, is the one.”
“Fair enough. Thank you, Dr. Luicius. I will contact the high school coach and a referee.”
Dr. Luicius abruptly says, “Let me contact the high school coach, if you don’t mind. I know him real well. I will be able to convince him what we are doing. You can get the referee. Is that okay?
With a thoughtful shake of his head, Angel agrees.
On the day of the game, everyone was juiced up. Although the coach at Midian High school had reservations, in the end he thought that the contest would help to motivate his team. Dr. Luicuis’s son, Haman, was ready. He was envious of the attention Gilbert was getting. He couldn’t understand how a second stringer was getting all this attention. Although he had committed to another school, Haman didn’t like anyone else receiving the limelight. He wanted not only to beat Gilbert and the second string, but he wanted to destroy them.
Gilbert was nervous. He still had issues whether he was the player that Angel thought he was. He didn’t want to let Coach Angel down. To help calm him down, Gilbert kept thinking what Angel told him never to forget. Coach told Gilbert, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.” Angel told Gilbert that God put the love of basketball in his heart for a reason. What he must give back to God is the best that he had, no matter the outcome.
That is just what Gilbert did. After a little rocky start, Gilbert took over the game. He moved to the basket with grace and set up his teammates with shots. Anyone watching the game would realize who the best player on the court was. Gilbert not only led his team to victory, but he led his team in four categories and was second in the fifth. Gilbert put on a clinic
Near the end of the game, Gilbert looked into the stadiums seats and saw Angel sitting with his high school coach. Angel was smiling. Gilbert’s high school coach’s face was filled with wonderment. Can you imagine having this kind of talent and not realizing what you had? Gilbert felt at peace.
What seemed to be just a small game became something of a nationwide phenomenon. Dr. Luicius in his wanting to build the school back to its old glory as well, but with himself being the one to be the Savior called the local newspaper and ESPN about the game. He wanted to give the reporters the story behind the game. Dr. Luicius felt if what Angel was saying was true about Gilbert that it would make a good story anyway. A reporter from each the local paper and ESPN showed up and watched. They had their story, but who would be the savior was still to be determined.
The story aired in the local paper and on ESPN. The story was a hit. Over the summer and up until the next season reporters kept tabs on the school’s progress. When people heard that Coach Angel was coming back and who his star player was going to be, the school was hit with players from all over the country wanting to make their commitments to their basketball program. With all these commitments coming in, Angel knew that if they went down this course again that the school would end up right back where they are now.
Angel prayed over the summer and up until the basketball season, and asked God what to do. And God answered. If Gilbert was to be the star player, why not let him choose.
Angel called Gilbert about three months before the season was to start and wanted to meet with him.
“Yes, Angel, you wanted to see me?”
“Yes, Gilbert. Please, sit down. I wanted to talk to you and ask for your help on something.”
“Sure, Angel. How can I help?”
“I want you to pick your own team. I want you to look at all the players that are applying and pick out the team that you think we can win with.”
“Wow,” Gilbert said excitedly. “That would be cool.”
Angel then asked him, “When can you begin?”
“How about now?”
Angel looked at Gilbert and then purged his lips and said, “Why not?”
“Why don’t you sit at that table there and I’ll have Mrs. Hines brings the player’s applications out.”
While Gilbert was getting up to sit at the table, Angel pushed the button on his phone’s intercom.
“Mrs. Hines. Can you bring the basketball player’s applications in for me and put them on the side table in my office.”
“Yes, Mr. Angel. I’ll have them for you in just a moment.”
Angel acknowledged her saying, “Thank you.”
When Mrs. Hines brought the applications in, Gilbert was flabbergasted. He couldn’t believe how many there were. Mrs. Hines brought three boxes of applications in.
When Mrs. Hines laid them on the desk, Gilbert let out a deep gasp.
Mrs. Hines smiled and said, “Good luck.”
“Thanks, I’ll need it,” Gilbert responded.
Gilbert began to dig. He knew what he needed. Gilbert was the point guard, so basically he was going to need centers, forwards, and a few other guards. He began dividing the pile between keepers and non-keepers. After he went through the three boxes, he had made his keeper pile.
Gilbert got Angel’s attention as he was on the phone and said in a whispery voice, “I’m finished.”
Angel noticing that Gilbert was through, put up his free hand, letting him know he saw him but to wait. The phone call lasted another fifteen seconds.
When Angel hung up the phone, he said to Gilbert, “Okay, what do you have for me?”
“Here they are. These are the ones I want,” Gilbert said as he was pointing to a rather large pile of applications.
With a concerted and conscious slowness to his speech, Angel responded, “You know I can only have fifteen on the team including you, right?”
The smile that was on Gilbert’s face melted away as he realized that he had a lot more than fifteen there.
Gilbert looked at the pile and then back at Angel. He shrugged his shoulders with a slight guilty-looking smile and said, “Oh. I guess I better look again.”
With a smile, Angel said, “Remember. We are not looking so much for the best players, but will best play with you.”
Gilbert, in a nod of agreement and understanding said, “I guess I better get back to work.”
As Gilbert was looking through the pile, he was wondering by these pieces of paper with each player’s history on them, how he was going to know their personality. As he shifted through the keeper pile a second time, he came to realize something. Gilbert thought, if I am supposed to pick the ones that I will play with best and not go down the path of where we have been before, there are only a few players I know for sure that can accomplish that.
With that thought, Gilbert turns around in his chair and looks at Angel and says, “I believe I have the team.”
Angel drops what he is doing, puts his hand on Gilbert’s back and looking over his shoulder to the applications and says, “Okay, which ones?”
Gilbert bows his head a little and then says, “They aren’t on this table.”
With a little bit of a confused look, Angel walks to the opposite side of the table and sits down. Then he says with a confused tone, “What are you talking about?”
Gilbert takes a deep breath and says, “Well, you ask me to look at these applications and pick the players that will work best with me, right?”
“Right,” Angel responds still trying to figure out where he’s going.
“To be honest, I can’t tell you who I can work with by looking at paper and a photo shot of the applicant. Now, even if I could pick out the players that I thought would best work with me, the team would still take time to formulate. Even if I picked the perfect people, it would still take for each of us time to learn how the other plays. On top of thatI would always be struggling in trying to be the leader. There is someone who always thinks that they can lead better.”
“Okay, I’m with you so far. So what are you suggesting?”
“How about the second string from our high school team as our team? I have been playing with these guys since elementary school. We know each other up and down and play well with each other. And these guys respect me and I respect them.”
Plopping back into his chair and running his hand through his hair, Angel lets out a gasp like air seeming out a balloon.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be able to pull that off ?”
Both Angel and Gilbert sit looking at each other.
Gilbert breaks the silence saying, “You said for me to pick the team? At least you know that you’ll have a team that will listen to you.”
Angel mumbles in a thoughtful way, “Yea, at least I’ll have that.”
Angel continues, “Let me pray on that and I will get back with you.”
And with that, Gilbert left. Angel prayed to God. He asked God if He would give him a clear answer. He hadn’t so much as said that than God laid on his heart a Scripture, “Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Angel continued to think, this school has got the way it is by the irreverence players have for the coaches. The players aren’t the only ones to blame though. Because the school wanted the players to stay, the coaches let the player’s actions happen. Angel knew he was guilty and was probably the main reason the school lost its reputation. The situation was too big for Angel to handle by himself. He knew that. This was something only God could do. And Angel knew that God uses the weak to glorify Him. Angel had his answer.
Getting the second string passed by the board of trustees took much prayer. The winning point was putting seven local kids through school who otherwise would not be able to afford tuition. The next objective was to get the second string in shape and teaching them the plays by their first game. But the most important part of coaching, Angel knew, was motivation. Players always play better when they have an objective. What would be these young men’s motivation? The answer was clear. Resurrection. These young men’s mission was to resurrect this school back from disgrace to glory.
