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Connecting with Coach

March 29, 2011 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Rochester RazorSharks News Release


He now has a twitter account and is learning how to use it.

Coachbake44@twitter.com. The number 44 is in honor of Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Pete Maravich. But Rochester RazorShark head coach Rod Baker is still a skeptic when it comes to social media.

"I still struggle with why someone would care about some little tidbit, some nugget that runs through my head at 8:00 in the morning or 10:00 at night," says Baker.

Which is somewhat surprising, since he shares his views on just about everything on a regular basis on Rochester radio. He is a frequent guest of Tariq Spence on WDKX, Brother Wease on Fox 95.1 (he'll be on Wednesday morning 7-9:30am), and John DiTullio on WHTK (he'll be on Thursday 4:30-6:00pm).

"John is so easy because it's strictly sports, it's almost sports conversation with a peer," says Coach. "Wease is more like a hodge podge of stuff. Tariq's a little different because of the urban aspect of the show, and he's alot younger. With Tariq there's a lot more politics involved. There's alot more socio-economic conversation that takes place. I enjoy that as much if not more than anything."

Prior to arriving in Rochester, Baker saw the sights. He has coached basketball at nine Division One universities and spent seven years as the head coach with the Cal-Irvine Anteaters. Rod is in his sixth season coaching professionals here. He has become an important voice in our community, and isn't afraid to use it.

"We have kids who lose hope too early," says Baker. "There's nothing you could do to make me want to be 13 years old right now. In any socio-econmic level. There's nothing in this world that would make me want to be 13 years old."

Which doesn't mean he isn't trying to help. Baker contributes significant time speaking to kids at schools, at clinics, organizations and at games. He does this representing the RazorSharks, but would be out there anyway.

"I want to try to get guys off the street. I want to get guys to figure out that there's something else they can do with their time. It's very difficult because there's a certain level of enticement to the streets that you can't fight. But that doesn't mean you don't fight it."

And basketball he says, is a great teacher.

"There's a lot of life in basketball. That's why this is better than golf. You can hustle after your mistakes. In golf once you hit it, it's gone. You have to learn to work with other people. For that moment, that season, that month, you have to learn to accept a role."

Having coached hundreds and influenced many more, Baker plays an obvious part in the in the process. But he sees his role as limited.

"I can only tell you what I believe to be right," he says. "What you do with that, is up to you."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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