Mentor Blog 4 (6hrs), Total=12hrs

I went to the boys' tennis practice on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Since the boys are competing for positions on varsity, I am helping my mentor record the scores on a tournament bracket. I play tennis games with the team at the end of practice as well.

Recording scores is a very easy task. I usually watch the boys play while I am waiting to get their scores. So far, I feel like I can accomplish anything my mentor asks of me. I don't really have to coach, but I must know the game of the sport if I am going to manage the team. I am still building relationships with the team by trying to get to know each player. I think it is important to have a strong relationship with each player because I can discover their main goals and needs they want to accomplish this season. That is how I think a sports manager should do while on the daily basis.

I am planning to meet with my mentor next week.

Mentor Blog 3 (2hrs), Total=6Hrs

Yesterday, I met with my mentor on the tennis courts to practice with the boys tennis team. My mentor introduced new tennis drills to me. These drills were simple and easy to perform. Since I was comfortable with these drills, I helped my mentor run them with the players on the team. This helped my mentor work with each player individually. I was able to build relationships with the players on the team. They aren't strangers to me anymore. Having a good relationship with each player allowed me to understand their strengths and weaknesses. I discussed these strengths and weaknesses with my mentor. This enabled him to conduct drills specifically relating to a weakness each player had. That is what I did yesterday.

I feel like I am understanding how to be an influence on the team, which is what I am suppose to be. I think I am beginning to get the "hang" of my role on the team. I am still improving on my speech skills. Improving my speech skills is the main goal I want to achieve. The next time I am meeting with my mentor, I want to continue running drills and practice my speech skills.

Mentor Blog 2 (2hrs), Total=4hrs

Yesterday, I met with my mentor at the tennis courts. It is still boys conditioning so I am currently running drills that don't involve using a raquet and tennis balls. There are not a lot of boys trying out for the team. This makes my job even easier because it allows me to give my complete attention to each boy on the team. Being attentive gives me a perspective of each boy's work ethic. This helps my mentor figure out the ranking system when season starts.

I am starting to get the hang of running drills. Also, I am feeling quite comfortable around the team. Therefore, I believe I am gaining public speaking skills while I am interacting with the team. Yes that is all I have done during my 2 hours.