Frost Heaves coach Will Voigt...

[Heaves Class Of ABA]

Is not the only reason why Vermont won its second consecutive title, but he is the biggest.

In a league filled for the large part with players that have no chance at making the NBA and many who won't even advance to a higher level minor league, Voigt is a legitimate prospect. He is just 31-years-old and in addition to guiding the Heaves to two straight championships, already has assistant experience with the LA Clippers and San Antonio Spurs on his resume. In fact, he still scouts for the Spurs internationally over the summer.

While both Vermont teams had different rosters for the most part, a couple of factors remained. They had a lot of talent, but other teams had more. What they did better than any other team was that they played as a team. That's why they won, and that's a credit to Voigt. He got them to buy into his system of aggressive team defense (uncommon in the ABA) and constant substitutions. Particularly last season, when there were fewer injuries, 10 players averaged more than 20 minutes but no one exceeded 26. As a result, they won a lot of games in the fourth quarter when the opposition tired. This year, Voigt made the necessary adjustments with multiple injuries on his roster - including leading scorer Terrance Green - and got his team ready to play.

Say what you want about the future of the league or its players, but Voigt could take over an NCAA Division I program tomorrow and make it better sooner rather than later. He would also do well on the NBA level, but I get the feeling he'd rather coach college, where he could help mold players a little more. Mark my words, Will Voigt is one to keep an eye on.

(if my previous post wasn't enough of a tip off Fells, does this help?)

[Paul S]

This guy sounds good................

Would you not agree that its time for him to join a NCAA program or a decent minor league team? He needs to stop coaching good teams against no opposition and start facing some real teams in a real league.

I'm sure he ran a high-tempo practise after Corning Bulldogs didn't show up but that won't get him to the NBA or Europe.

[formerlyknownasfells]

Is not the only reason why Vermont won its second consecutive title, but he is the biggest.

In a league filled for the large part with players that have no chance at making the NBA and many who won't even advance to a higher level minor league, Voigt is a legitimate prospect. He is just 31-years-old and in addition to guiding the Heaves to two straight championships, already has assistant experience with the LA Clippers and San Antonio Spurs on his resume. In fact, he still scouts for the Spurs internationally over the summer.

While both Vermont teams had different rosters for the most part, a couple of factors remained. They had a lot of talent, but other teams had more. What they did better than any other team was that they played as a team. That's why they won, and that's a credit to Voigt. He got them to buy into his system of aggressive team defense (uncommon in the ABA) and constant substitutions. Particularly last season, when there were fewer injuries, 10 players averaged more than 20 minutes but no one exceeded 26. As a result, they won a lot of games in the fourth quarter when the opposition tired. This year, Voigt made the necessary adjustments with multiple injuries on his roster - including leading scorer Terrance Green - and got his team ready to play.

Say what you want about the future of the league or its players, but Voigt could take over an NCAA Division I program tomorrow and make it better sooner rather than later. He would also do well on the NBA level, but I get the feeling he'd rather coach college, where he could help mold players a little more. Mark my words, Will Voigt is one to keep an eye on.

(if my previous post wasn't enough of a tip off Fells, does this help?)

I know good writing when I see it. It is good to see you on the boards my friend.

[BreakersFan]

This guy sounds good................

Would you not agree that its time for him to join a NCAA program or a decent minor league team? He needs to stop coaching good teams against no opposition and start facing some real teams in a real league.

I'm sure he ran a high-tempo practise after Corning Bulldogs didn't show up but that won't get him to the NBA or Europe.


He may be a good coach, but after I heard him go on two profanity-laced tirades on the bench when the Heaves played in Corning, I lost any respect for him. Loudly dropping the F-bomb in the huddle more than once with kids just 10 feet away. Was disappointing.

[Frost Heaves Fan]

He may be a good coach, but after I heard him go on two profanity-laced tirades on the bench when the Heaves played in Corning, I lost any respect for him. Loudly dropping the F-bomb in the huddle more than once with kids just 10 feet away. Was disappointing.

Breakers, this info about Corning is not true. You shouldn't pass on rumours that you hear like this.

[formerlyknownasfells]

Breakers, this info about Corning is not true. You shouldn't pass on rumours that you hear like this.

I would have to say that something like that would be totally out of character for Will. Is he hard on officals? Yes, he is. But, in all of my time covering the Heaves, I have never heard him swear at an official.

[misenern]

Breakers, this info about Corning is not true. You shouldn't pass on rumours that you hear like this.

He said he heard it with his own ears. Who are you to say it never happened? I recall someone else comfirming this back awhile ago. Were you actually at the game?

[The Sweeper]

BreakersFan said he heard it while the team was in a huddle, not directed at a ref.

I asked Will about it in an e-mail, here's his response and my original e-mail (copies can be forwarded upon request). If I called BreakersFann a liar originally, I humbly apologize.
-----------------------------------------
Hi Eric,

Thank you for making the long trip to Corning. It was so nice to be greeted by you guys as we got off the bus. You really are the best fans!!!

Not sure what was heard in our huddle, but after back to back turnovers, I did call a time out and used a bad word to get my point across. I very seldom swear, but there are some times when I am reduced to that in order to try and motivate pro players.

I am sorry if somebody in the crowd heard that and was offended.

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday!!!

Best Regards,

Will

Eric Kingsley wrote:Hey Coach,

Wanted to congratulate you and the team again for a very hard fought win. I didn't care for the fact that they kept the gym rather chilly, but I guess they have to do everything they can when they are shorthanded.

Wanted to ask you something. Apparently someone at the game heard you drop several "colorful words" in the huddle. Now, after seeing you on the sideline for so long, I have a hard time believing this (I know Tom stunk the place up). I am mearly asking so if this is not true, I can set this person (a poster on a message board) straight.

Look forward to seeing you Thursday and next Sunday in Manchester.

Eric Kingsley (former player-even though I was only 13th player-of yours)

[DazedAndAmused]

Breakers, this info about Corning is not true. You shouldn't pass on rumors that you hear like this.

FHFan, let me start off with saying something positive: congrats on winning the aba for 2 yrs straight.

Here's the bothersome thing though. You put out posts about the "sewer rats" and then you seem incredulous to the notion that your coach may have less than admirable qualities or that your league (and to a degree, by association, your championship) may not be respected in the sports world.

Please, pick the high road or the low road and stick to it!

Then, get yourself to a real league where your accomplishments will be respected! It sounds like the "sewer rats" are at least doing that.

[formerlyknownasfells]

Well, it looks like this is settled.......

[Frost Heaves Fan]

He said he heard it with his own ears. Who are you to say it never happened? I recall someone else comfirming this back awhile ago. Were you actually at the game?

Who am I to say that it didn't happen? I was at the game, in fact sitting right behind the bench and did not hear anything like what is being said.

[rams80]

Am I the only one who isn't miffed when the occasional profanity is uttered in the heat of the moment during a sporting event?

[Alumni96]

Am I the only one who isn't miffed when the occasional profanity is uttered in the heat of the moment during a sporting event?

Nope. Those kids likely hear those words when their parents are arguing or from kids at school. Its blown out of proportion. Ideally you wouldn't like it to happen, but in the heat of the moment it doesn't bother me.

[DazedAndAmused]

It doesn't personally bother me, but it's just bad business letting profanity slip in earshot of kids and their parents. In the minor leagues, you can't afford to alienate any of your fan base.

Coaches need to pay more attention and be more careful. It's a poor excuse to say you need to do it to "motivate players." The kids may hear it in the schoolyard, but it's poor form to drop the fbomb in a board meeting. These owners and coaches need to start treating basketball more like a business.

That's the key issue, even though most of us here probably aren't offended.

[misenern]

Who am I to say that it didn't happen? I was at the game, in fact sitting right behind the bench and did not hear anything like what is being said.

Even the coach admitted to it, therefore you were wrong.

[BreakersFan]

Breakers, this info about Corning is not true. You shouldn't pass on rumours that you hear like this.

It is absolutely true. I was there with my son, about 10 rows up from the Heaves bench. I remember it like it was yesterday because I was so surprised that he was dressing down his players like that in plain view and earshot of everyone.

[formerlyknownasfells]

It doesn't personally bother me, but it's just bad business letting profanity slip in earshot of kids and their parents. In the minor leagues, you can't afford to alienate any of your fan base.

Coaches need to pay more attention and be more careful. It's a poor excuse to say you need to do it to "motivate players." The kids may hear it in the schoolyard, but it's poor form to drop the fbomb in a board meeting. These owners and coaches need to start treating basketball more like a business.

That's the key issue, even though most of us here probably aren't offended.

This is professional basketball and the occasional (Or not so occasional) choice set of words will fly out of the mouth of a coach or player. Really, why is this such a big deal? This happens all the time.

[Heaves Class Of ABA]

This guy sounds good................

Would you not agree that its time for him to join a NCAA program or a decent minor league team? He needs to stop coaching good teams against no opposition and start facing some real teams in a real league.

I'm sure he ran a high-tempo practise after Corning Bulldogs didn't show up but that won't get him to the NBA or Europe.

I definitely agree. I could be wrong but I think his contract is up, so the time is now.

[Heaves Class Of ABA]

This is professional basketball and the occasional (Or not so occasional) choice set of words will fly out of the mouth of a coach or player. Really, why is this such a big deal? This happens all the time.

I agree, and what does it have to do with his coaching ability? That's why I started this thread in the first place. It's not like throwing an F-bomb during a TO is going to hurt him in moving up the coaching ladder and, besides, that incident would be rated G compared to some of the others displayed on a nightly basis.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

I agree, and what does it have to do with his coaching ability? That's why I started this thread in the first place.

I think it has become an issue only to the extent that FHF has pretty much declared that the 'incident' (if it can even be called that) never took place, even though the coach himself has said it did.

[DazedAndAmused]

This is professional basketball and the occasional (Or not so occasional) choice set of words will fly out of the mouth of a coach or player. Really, why is this such a big deal? This happens all the time.

I'm surprised by the question. In this business, you need to cater to families. Many parents do not want to put their kids in earshot of foul language, just as they don't want them to go to R rated movies until they're old enough. I'm not saying that letting a few choice words fly makes someone a lesser person. I'm just saying that it is not good for business, and I have personally seen parents turned off by this. Each to his own.

In closing, f*@% off! (That was a joke of course....fkaf, you da man.)