For the Cal Poly men’s and women’s basketball programs, teamwork is a critical element for their success. Beginning with spring training sessions, chemistry is formed through countless hours spent together on and off the court each day.
The men’s basketball team did not know what to expect for the upcoming season with a new coach coming in. However, head coach Joe Callero did know that teamwork would help the team stay together and ease the transition.
Senior forward Ryan Darling said Callero did a nice job of bringing everyone together despite all the changes.
“Coach Callero makes us feel like part of a family,” Darling said. “We know that he kept us all for a reason and we’ve all bought into the program.”
One activity Callero incorporates is trips to Farmer’s Market to pass out schedules. Also, at the end of each practice, Callero said the team circles up and two teammates must complement other players about what they did well during practice. He said the exercise helps develop a self-less attitude.
“They might be little things, but it creates different environments where teammates can hang out with one another and build respect for each other,” Callero said.
Freshman guard Dylan Royer also emphasized the importance of team dinners and off the court experiences.
“Before every game we have team dinners together,” Royer said. “It is just a big group of guys that are having fun and eating dinner together. I think all the off court stuff builds teamwork on the court.”
Callero outlined three areas he wanted to see his team improve upon from last year: assists, field goal percentage, and rebounding. These three statistics demonstrate the team’s willingness to work together. Cal Poly leads the Big West conference in field goal percentage through eight league games shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and is second in rebounding margin. They are averaging 12 assists per game, which is up from nine a game last year.
“This shows a willingness to sacrifice your individual goals for team success,” Callero said.
The same emphasis on teamwork and developing team camaraderie exists within the women’s basketball program as well.
Cal Poly women’s basketball coach Faith Mimnaugh, coaching in her 13th season at Cal Poly, said one of their strengths is chemistry. Mimnaugh likes to put her players through a multitude of different activities to challenge her players’ creativity, communication and leadership. One activity involves leading blindfolded teammates through staggered cones to build trust.
Mimnaugh implemented a team rule that no cell phones are allowed when everyone is together so players can focus on each other. Also, during meals before games, Mimnaugh has the players sit by someone new to avoid cliques and build relationships.
“It’s a real pleasure to coach this team because everyone fits together,” Mimnaugh said. “This is probably the closest team I’ve had here.”
Junior forward Kristina Santiago also reiterated what Mimnaugh had to say.
“Everyone is super supportive of each other,” Santiago said. “We all make sure that we are there for each other on and off the court.”
Everything has paid off so far this year as Cal Poly leads the Big West conference in assists and currently sits in second place in the conference with a 6-2 record.
“Every good game we’ve had this year is a direct result of our team chemistry,” Santiago said.
She said the team has held player only meetings to voice their opinions regarding areas of improvement. Santiago said the players respond in a more positive manner since they take everything discussed to heart.
Mimnaugh said wants to pass along leadership and team building skills to her players that will help them as people and not just basketball players.
“Every coach that has impacted me continues to be with me today,” she said. “I want to be able to give our student athletes a chance to pass along what they’ve learned and share that with others.”
Both coaches emphasized the need for student support and their continued attendance at games throughout the rest of the season.
“The students give us an emotional lift and we appreciate their support,” Callero said. “The Maniacs need jerseys.”