Al Scates and Reft

[genetic]

Thor,
Can you put the comment about Reft in context? Under what circumstances did Scates say that Reft wouldn't play in college?

[thor]

Years ago on a volleyball camp that Reft was attending. The message simply was that he'd never play college based on what Scates saw in him. Even good coaches can be blinded by height and unknowingly discourage young talent sometimes. I didn't know people would find it this interesting... I just wrote it as part of the height discussion as an example, I have nothing against any of these people and the intention was not to provoke.

[baywatcher]

Favorite (only) Al Scates story; I was attending an adult clinic at UCLA recently that had boys camps at the same time. The 13 years old, or so, were "camping" on the other side of a screen so you could not see them. Al was hanging out with our group, putting in his 15 minutes to justify his name on the camp. Suddenly there was a loud "bang" from the other side of the screen; Al lit up, saying " I didn't know those kids could hit the ball that hard." Two minutes later he was gone, checking out a recruit for the class of 2015.

[baywatcher]

Also, Al told me I'd never make it in college ball; not too tough, since I'm 53 years old.

[Charlie]

Here's my favorite Al Scates story. They were practicing in Canada the day before the start of a tournament. One of the younger players kept getting tooled by the hitters. Scates is all about blocking, so he said something to him. Kept happening. He said something else. Kept happening. So he finally went over to him with a marker pen and wrote on his arm "Use me". Everyone thought it was hilarious except the young player, who was mortified. I still chuckle to this day when I think of it.

[bunnywailer]

My favorite Al Scates story is the time they lost the National Championship match in Pauley Pavilion to Pepperdine in 2005, and Al forgot his subs and rotations in Game 5 and had two setters in the game at the same time.

[northbeach]

bunnywailer said:

My favorite Al Scates story is the time they lost the National Championship match in Pauley Pavilion to Pepperdine in 2005, and Al forgot his subs and rotations in Game 5 and had two setters in the game at the same time.

...and Pepperdine went up 8-1 in Game 5.

[Mac]

bunnywailer said:

My favorite Al Scates story is the time they lost the National Championship match in Pauley Pavilion to Pepperdine in 2005.

This is my favorite UCLA / Pepperdine story:
dailybruin.com/news/articles.asp?id=36933