Western Mass Selects: Welcome

FINAL BUZZER 

 An open letter from Selects President Brian Powell:

13 years ago the Western Mass Selects was born from an idea that I had that there needed to be more teams available. An Alternative. Why? Because very talented and gifted players were being sent away (cut) from the spring AAU season of basketball.

Back in 1997 for the boys there was Fame and Jaguars with many age groups in the 11-17 range under their wings. A few others had a team or two.

In the girls we had the Cheetah's in MA and the Starters in CT.

I started the Selects because I thought that the girls needed more and what started out as a girls organization turned quickly to 1 girls team and 4 boys teams that first year.

We had to travel to the Lowell, MA area, CT and NY to get games. Locally we had the Jaguars and Team Mass for the boys tournaments. It was a great experience as well as a learning experience. 

The following years saw tremendous growth for our Western Mass Selects organization. We grew to 15 teams in the boys and girls together. We had 7 tournaments of our own 4 girls and 3 boys at Holyoke community College and local high schools.

Many thanks go out to former AD at Holyoke Community College Rick Golas for the faith he had in the Selects program.

The Selects spawned many other organizations which resulted in more teams and tournaments in the local area. Many of the Selects coaches over the years formed teams and organizations of their own creating an explosion of teams and tournaments. 

The Selects at times had as many as 150 players plus and all we asked of them was "the desire to play, work hard and excell to the next level" We did 10 - 12 tournaments  a year for what I beleive to be the lowest cost for the uniforms and tournaments, practice time etc.

Many of the players that played could not afford the cost involved and the Selects found a way to support the fees, overnight hotels and meals so that it was not "just a play if you could pay organization". I definetly did not want that.

The Selects are the most respected organization in the AAU arena. We did what we said and gave more than we promised.

The Selects were a success!!!!

That success will still be bearing fruit as the players become Jr High, High School and College level as well as life.

Along the way I have had the privilege of having good and caring coaches. Some for all the years (Val Smith and Dan Mortimer) others for 3-5 years and some the privilege of a year or two.

I even had the pleasure of 3 players coming back to coach in the Selects.

My daughter Megan (played at Holyoke Catholic, Regis College has coached Hoop Mountain sports camp, five star and others and is now coaching surburban) coached the Selects for 7 years and did a fantastic job.

Last year we had Danny Mortimer and Kenny Hooks come back to give back to under 13 yr olds and did a tremendous job.

The Selects have given many scholarship awards to be used for college and many summer camp scholarships to continue to improve their games. The Selects were more than just basketball we were about life, respect for others, family and "just have fun"

I have been coaching since I was a 15 year old High school student coaching the young ones at the YMCA.

40 years later and a lifetime of coaching Track, Cross-country, Soccer and Basketball at the youth levels and high school level. It's time...

It's time for me and my family.

My youngest is graduating college this spring (that makes 4 through college now). My grand kids are starting to play sports now. I have not been golfing nor a member at a golf club in at least 20 years. I have spent everyday from late January to early July in the gyms and on the fields etc July to late fall. AAU was 7 days a week monday through friday 5:30 to 9:30 and somewhere in MA,CT,RI or NY on saturday and sunday.

Right now...

I am snowshoeing every weekend. I have a personal trainer 3 days a week beating me up and getting ME in shape.

I am available weekends with my wife,kids and grand children.

 I like it.

Is it a very sad and hard time for me. Absolutely!!! It was my life for a lot of years. Some things I will not miss (many of you can guess what). But, I will miss the coaches who gave their time in a voluntary basis for AAU not only in the Selects but the Jaguars,Trailblazers,Northstars, Team Mass and others that have become "MY Friends" Thank you for all you do for AAU and the kids. 

The directors Basil Stewart, Felix Gonzales, Ray and Katie Da Costa, Vinny Siniscalchi and others I will miss the long AAU talks and our friendships on and off the court. I hope you can relate to my feelings.

The referees that we all love to hate will be missed and of course the classiest guy in the reffing arena Mike Smist, a gentleman and sincere a person as you will ever meet. Please continue helping everyone around you. A better person one will not find. thank you.

Another class act Art Luptowski AIC head men's basketball coach thank you for your interest in the Selects and all that you have done to make us successful.

But in the end it's...

 The kids

I will miss the most. That's what it was all about. The kids.

Where ever and what ever you do play fair, play hard and have fun in life.

13 years I did the best that I could do. I played fair, I played hard and I had Fun.

The Selects have run it's final lap, finished it's final lay up and shot it's final 3 pointer.

 The game has ended and we are all winners

Good bye and to all the best.

Brian Powell

Western Mass Selects

President/Founder

________________*WESTERN MASS SELECTS 

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2009 SEASON

AN $800 DOLLAR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED

ON FEB 1st 2011 TO

Max Petrucci

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND GOOD LUCK THIS 2010-2011 COLLEGE SEASON

_______________________________________________________________________________________________