PREP SYNDROME
From the series: "STAND OUT IN THE CROWD"
by Frank Allocco, Sr.
Series Introduction
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
- 2.9% of high school players will play college basketball.
- Less than 1 in 75, or 1.3 percent of NCAA Seniors will be drafted by an NBA Team.
- About 3 in 10,000 players (0.03 percent) of high school seniors will eventually be drafted by an NBA team.
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
Several years ago I traveled from California to New Jersey to visit my parents at my childhood home on Clement Road. After arriving on the red eye flight, I wearily carried my travel bags up the small staircase that led to my old bedroom. My father followed eagerly behind me, telling me that he and my mother were in the process of cleaning our basement, sorting through countless cartons filled with years of memories. Toward the bottom of one of those boxes he discovered an old Notre Dame money clip protruding from a mountain of papers. As we entered the tiny bedroom he pointed to the small nightstand next to the twin bed where this mysterious piece rested and asked if it belonged to me.
I gazed down at the money clip and saw a blue ND monogram elevated above a once silver but now tarnished green background. I didn’t recognize it as mine but hastily put it into my pocket. I wondered where it came from and what its story had been. Never having used a money clip before, I decided to give it my brother Jerry, a notorious collector of everything! My father and I headed down the stairs and into the one car garage to begin our drive downtown for the obligatory Allocco breakfast at the Old Glory Restaurant in New Providence.
After finishing our breakfast and visiting with family, old friends and patrons, the revelry continued as we walked to my brother Michael’s athletic wear store just a short stroll across the aging strip mall. Michael’s establishment was more than just a store, it was the town hangout with regular pop-ins by old friends, family, and New Providence natives. Some sat, some stood as we surrounded his wooden desk and entertained each other with stories of the past. With our embellished tales and fading memories filling the spacious showroom, I pulled out the tarnished money clip and presented it to my brother Jerry. His eyes lit up at the sight of this faded treasure as I asked if anyone knew whom it belonged to and where it came from. As Jerry passed it around the tight knit circle, the landlord of the building, a coin collector, asked if he could take it to his upstairs apartment to clean and polish it.
Moments later he returned with a beautifully restored silver money clip. The deep blue reflection of the Notre Dame monogram seemed to float above the now shiny background. He handed it to me respectfully and asked if I had seen the engraved writing on the back of it. As I turned the clip over I saw the words: “Prep of the Week.” Instantly my mind raced back to a September Monday afternoon on the Notre Dame practice field and I now remembered the story of the money clip. This trivial piece that I was willing to give away just moments earlier was a precious prize, an honor bestowed in recognition of my effort and enthusiasm in preparing the Varsity Football team at Notre Dame. That simple award marked the beginning of my opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing quarterback at Notre Dame.
Playing football at the University of Notre Dame was quite a challenge in the 1970’s. The “Fighting Irish” had an amazing football history with 8 national championships, 6 Heisman Trophy Winners and countless All-Americans. I was part of the last freshman class that was not eligible to play Varsity football as a result of the NCAA rules. Outside of the four freshman football games we would compete in, our thankless role was to prepare the team for their next opponent as members of “The Prep Team.”
I gazed down at the money clip and saw a blue ND monogram elevated above a once silver but now tarnished green background. I didn’t recognize it as mine but hastily put it into my pocket. I wondered where it came from and what its story had been. Never having used a money clip before, I decided to give it my brother Jerry, a notorious collector of everything! My father and I headed down the stairs and into the one car garage to begin our drive downtown for the obligatory Allocco breakfast at the Old Glory Restaurant in New Providence.
After finishing our breakfast and visiting with family, old friends and patrons, the revelry continued as we walked to my brother Michael’s athletic wear store just a short stroll across the aging strip mall. Michael’s establishment was more than just a store, it was the town hangout with regular pop-ins by old friends, family, and New Providence natives. Some sat, some stood as we surrounded his wooden desk and entertained each other with stories of the past. With our embellished tales and fading memories filling the spacious showroom, I pulled out the tarnished money clip and presented it to my brother Jerry. His eyes lit up at the sight of this faded treasure as I asked if anyone knew whom it belonged to and where it came from. As Jerry passed it around the tight knit circle, the landlord of the building, a coin collector, asked if he could take it to his upstairs apartment to clean and polish it.
Moments later he returned with a beautifully restored silver money clip. The deep blue reflection of the Notre Dame monogram seemed to float above the now shiny background. He handed it to me respectfully and asked if I had seen the engraved writing on the back of it. As I turned the clip over I saw the words: “Prep of the Week.” Instantly my mind raced back to a September Monday afternoon on the Notre Dame practice field and I now remembered the story of the money clip. This trivial piece that I was willing to give away just moments earlier was a precious prize, an honor bestowed in recognition of my effort and enthusiasm in preparing the Varsity Football team at Notre Dame. That simple award marked the beginning of my opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing quarterback at Notre Dame.
Playing football at the University of Notre Dame was quite a challenge in the 1970’s. The “Fighting Irish” had an amazing football history with 8 national championships, 6 Heisman Trophy Winners and countless All-Americans. I was part of the last freshman class that was not eligible to play Varsity football as a result of the NCAA rules. Outside of the four freshman football games we would compete in, our thankless role was to prepare the team for their next opponent as members of “The Prep Team.”
"That simple award marked the beginning of my opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing quarterback at Notre Dame."
The “Prep Team” was a culture unto itself. Many of the players were former high school All-Americans who had been injured, lost confidence in themselves, or simply not able to compete at the high talent level of Notre Dame Football. At the beginning of my sophomore season, many of my classmates had been elevated to the first and second teams, but I was still a member of the “Prep Team.” This situation was somewhat hopeless with little chance for success as we routinely competed against a first team defense dotted with All-Americans and future National Football League players. To top it off, if you did compete hard during the “time up” form drills, you were chastised by your peers for being a “time up All-American.”
I was frustrated by this discouraging situation and approached John Murphy, one of my favorite coaches, who was responsible for overseeing the prep team. Coach Murphy was a former Notre Dame player who was coached by Elmer Layden, one of the legendary “Four Horsemen.” I loved and respected Coach Murphy and asked him what the coaches thought of me and if I had any chance of ever moving up on the depth chart. Coach advised me to stay positive, continue to lead and not give in to the prep mentality of hopelessness.
I went home that evening and decided to take an honest inventory of my ability and craft a plan as to how I could crack through the barrier and join the first two teams. I realized from watching practice film, that I appeared even slower than I was with my black shoes, short socks and a 1960’s facemask. I decided to introduce the color white to my practice fashion in an effort to appear quicker on the black and white film.
The next day, I confidently entered the locker room in the Athletic and Convocation Center and meticulously began taping my black shoes white. With the tape left from my shoe rejuvenation, I carefully wrapped a strip of white adhesive tape around my waist. I then approached one of our team managers and asked for the highest white socks he could find and a small white hand towel that I began wearing in front of my gold pants. I was convinced that my white accent pieces would shine on film and provide the illusion of quickness and alleviate the coach’s perceptions of my limited foot speed.
I was frustrated by this discouraging situation and approached John Murphy, one of my favorite coaches, who was responsible for overseeing the prep team. Coach Murphy was a former Notre Dame player who was coached by Elmer Layden, one of the legendary “Four Horsemen.” I loved and respected Coach Murphy and asked him what the coaches thought of me and if I had any chance of ever moving up on the depth chart. Coach advised me to stay positive, continue to lead and not give in to the prep mentality of hopelessness.
I went home that evening and decided to take an honest inventory of my ability and craft a plan as to how I could crack through the barrier and join the first two teams. I realized from watching practice film, that I appeared even slower than I was with my black shoes, short socks and a 1960’s facemask. I decided to introduce the color white to my practice fashion in an effort to appear quicker on the black and white film.
The next day, I confidently entered the locker room in the Athletic and Convocation Center and meticulously began taping my black shoes white. With the tape left from my shoe rejuvenation, I carefully wrapped a strip of white adhesive tape around my waist. I then approached one of our team managers and asked for the highest white socks he could find and a small white hand towel that I began wearing in front of my gold pants. I was convinced that my white accent pieces would shine on film and provide the illusion of quickness and alleviate the coach’s perceptions of my limited foot speed.
"I approached practice with a new determination to succeed challenged and committed to change the culture of our 'Prep Team'."
Before walking out to Cartier Field, our practice facility, I had one last makeover on my checklist and visited Gene O’Neill, the long term equipment manager, and asked if he could change my two bar facemask that attached from the sides (worn in honor of Joe Theisman, my ND hero) to a more modern facemask that connected from the top of the helmet. After a swift changeover, I left the equipment room armed with a new look and a new attitude. I approached practice with a new determination to succeed challenged and committed to change the culture of our “Prep Team.”
In the days ahead, I made it a point to speak to as many of my prep teammates as possible. I was dismayed by how many of them had given up, had lost their faith in their own talents and were just going through the motions until graduation. I called this attitude “The Prep Syndrome” and was not willing to allow them or myself to accept it. I reminded each of them that they were once the best of the best and good enough to be recruited by the outstanding coaching staff at Notre Dame. Like a preacher proselytizing from a Baptist pulpit, I urged them to work harder, to have faith in themselves and each other and to not give in to “the prep mentality” of hopelessness and mediocre effort.
The “Prep Team” rallied as our players played with an energy unseen since our first confident and eager days as Notre Dame football players. Despite the heat and humidity of the August days in the Indiana plains, we had fun together and looked forward to the two a day practices and giving our best during each session. With preseason workouts ending, we had our final game scrimmage in preparation for the 1972 season opener vs. Northwestern. Although we were severely outmatched by the first and second team defense, we managed to score twice and represented each other well as we competed with tenacity and honor!
At the end of the final tune up September scrimmage, I was running off the Notre Dame Stadium Field when Coach Parseghian waved to me and complimented me on my enthusiasm and leadership. He told me that with the restrictions on the amount of players able to travel to the Northwestern game, he could not make me an official travel squad member, but would offer me a chance to ride up to Evanston separate from the team and dress on game day. My spirits soared to the moon like an Apollo space mission as I gratefully accepted his generous offer.
Saturday couldn’t come soon enough, the car ride to Dyche Stadium seemed to take forever, but I finally arrived and proudly entered the locker room to the sounds of forty plus players eagerly preparing for the season opening game. I cried discreetly when I saw my white number 12 game jersey hanging above the shiniest pair of gold pants I had ever seen. I tried to play it cool and contain my enthusiasm as I calmly walked outside to call my parents from a pay phone. My words ran together as I excitedly told them I would try to stand by our head coach so they could catch a glimpse of me on television.
In the days ahead, I made it a point to speak to as many of my prep teammates as possible. I was dismayed by how many of them had given up, had lost their faith in their own talents and were just going through the motions until graduation. I called this attitude “The Prep Syndrome” and was not willing to allow them or myself to accept it. I reminded each of them that they were once the best of the best and good enough to be recruited by the outstanding coaching staff at Notre Dame. Like a preacher proselytizing from a Baptist pulpit, I urged them to work harder, to have faith in themselves and each other and to not give in to “the prep mentality” of hopelessness and mediocre effort.
The “Prep Team” rallied as our players played with an energy unseen since our first confident and eager days as Notre Dame football players. Despite the heat and humidity of the August days in the Indiana plains, we had fun together and looked forward to the two a day practices and giving our best during each session. With preseason workouts ending, we had our final game scrimmage in preparation for the 1972 season opener vs. Northwestern. Although we were severely outmatched by the first and second team defense, we managed to score twice and represented each other well as we competed with tenacity and honor!
At the end of the final tune up September scrimmage, I was running off the Notre Dame Stadium Field when Coach Parseghian waved to me and complimented me on my enthusiasm and leadership. He told me that with the restrictions on the amount of players able to travel to the Northwestern game, he could not make me an official travel squad member, but would offer me a chance to ride up to Evanston separate from the team and dress on game day. My spirits soared to the moon like an Apollo space mission as I gratefully accepted his generous offer.
Saturday couldn’t come soon enough, the car ride to Dyche Stadium seemed to take forever, but I finally arrived and proudly entered the locker room to the sounds of forty plus players eagerly preparing for the season opening game. I cried discreetly when I saw my white number 12 game jersey hanging above the shiniest pair of gold pants I had ever seen. I tried to play it cool and contain my enthusiasm as I calmly walked outside to call my parents from a pay phone. My words ran together as I excitedly told them I would try to stand by our head coach so they could catch a glimpse of me on television.
"I cried discreetly when I saw my white number 12 game jersey hanging above the shiniest pair of gold pants I had ever seen."
With the Irish leading 37-0, Coach Parseghian unexpectedly summoned me and told me to enter the game. I jokingly asked him if I should run Northwestern’s offense as I wasn’t too familiar with ours. He calmly instructed me to run the option, then gave me a memorable send off with a gentle pat on the back before I sprinted out onto the gridiron before the 55,155 fans in attendance. In the remaining two minutes, I led our team down the field with the pride and confidence I had regained from my experience as the “Prep Team” Quarterback.
I couldn’t stop smiling as we drove back on I-90 and caught a glimpse of the Golden Dome as we exited back home to Notre Dame. I could barely sleep that night as I played back every second that I was on the field. I was on cloud nine the next morning when my roommates and I turned on the 11:00 AM Notre Dame highlight show in anticipation of my possible appearance on the telecast. And then toward the end of the show it finally happened, the famous words of Lindsey Nelson “with the Irish comfortably ahead, we now move to further fourth quarter action.” A tear came to my eye as I saw myself entering the huddle to join my Notre Dame teammates and heard him announce my name on national television… one of my childhood dreams had been fulfilled.
On Monday I entered the locker room, gazed at the depth chart and saw that I had been moved from the prep team to rotate at quarterback with the second unit. Challenged with a great opportunity, I never looked back and earned three varsity letters as a backup quarterback at Notre Dame. Although I never became an Irish Legend, I was a good teammate who encouraged the prep team members to never give in to the Prep Syndrome, to evaluate their abilities and see what adjustments needed to be made.
The Notre Dame money clip never was inducted into Jerry’s legendary garage museum as it was too precious and significant for me to give away, the everlasting symbol and reminder of an amazing transition from hopelessness to happiness in the shadow of the Golden Dome.
I couldn’t stop smiling as we drove back on I-90 and caught a glimpse of the Golden Dome as we exited back home to Notre Dame. I could barely sleep that night as I played back every second that I was on the field. I was on cloud nine the next morning when my roommates and I turned on the 11:00 AM Notre Dame highlight show in anticipation of my possible appearance on the telecast. And then toward the end of the show it finally happened, the famous words of Lindsey Nelson “with the Irish comfortably ahead, we now move to further fourth quarter action.” A tear came to my eye as I saw myself entering the huddle to join my Notre Dame teammates and heard him announce my name on national television… one of my childhood dreams had been fulfilled.
On Monday I entered the locker room, gazed at the depth chart and saw that I had been moved from the prep team to rotate at quarterback with the second unit. Challenged with a great opportunity, I never looked back and earned three varsity letters as a backup quarterback at Notre Dame. Although I never became an Irish Legend, I was a good teammate who encouraged the prep team members to never give in to the Prep Syndrome, to evaluate their abilities and see what adjustments needed to be made.
The Notre Dame money clip never was inducted into Jerry’s legendary garage museum as it was too precious and significant for me to give away, the everlasting symbol and reminder of an amazing transition from hopelessness to happiness in the shadow of the Golden Dome.
It is quite normal for players to “give in” to a situation that they perceive as hopeless. Often times the difference between winning and losing, success and failure is the determination to take ownership of your situation and resolve to never quit.
There is an old coaching adage that “enthusiasm causes momentum.” This is evident at every sporting event as often the energy of the home crowd causes players and teams to raise their level of play.
It is essential to approach every drill, every repetition with great energy and enthusiasm. This will eventually become your habit and will inspire others to raise their level and compete as hard as you do! It is the duty of each player to give their best and create a ripple effect amongst your teammates as your work ethic provides you with the opportunity to lead by your example.
Remember: Confidence is earned through your belief that you have done the work necessary to be successful.
There is an old coaching adage that “enthusiasm causes momentum.” This is evident at every sporting event as often the energy of the home crowd causes players and teams to raise their level of play.
It is essential to approach every drill, every repetition with great energy and enthusiasm. This will eventually become your habit and will inspire others to raise their level and compete as hard as you do! It is the duty of each player to give their best and create a ripple effect amongst your teammates as your work ethic provides you with the opportunity to lead by your example.
Remember: Confidence is earned through your belief that you have done the work necessary to be successful.
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