Politics Vs. Talent

Politics Vs. talent some would say is a no brainer as to which of the two would win that battle. Yet, we all know politics effect everything around us from; our jobs, households, to where ever money is involved. So it shouldn’t surprise you that money and politics runs all the way down to high school sports and the recruiting process for college athletes.

 I often wonder if we could call college recruiters, “drug dealers in suits”. Selling you a dream and promising you so much, giving you so much without telling you that this life style could come to a halt immediately after college.

Others argue that given this chance you should work hard enough to secure your spot, but what happens when politics beats talent, even when talent works hard? In 2004 and 2005 Woodside High School won back to back State Championships, with some of the best talent this city had to offer.

After digging through my high school numbers, I was able to track down the Daily Press Player of the year in 2005, Calvin Bake. Along with the domination of all-state and all-district team member Stefan Welsh, and Willie Bell, all three which were members of that winning squad both years.

Bell seems to understand what the game of basketball is about, but he also understands the opportunity he was given as well. “Politics runs everything in basketball it’s all about who you know,” Bell said, when asked which weighed more.

 Looking back at his high school and college career as a basketball player one can only wonder what happened, but Bell remains optimistic. “I don’t regret anything towards my career. I got everything I wanted out of it, a free education, and it allowed me to coach basketball,” said Bell.

Baker feels the same way about his education, his high school, and college career even after transferring from William and Mary College to the University of Virginia. “I don’t regret anything either, once you get to a certain level politics holds more. Everything is about money, and once money is involved, who cares about talent,” Baker said. Calvin appreciates his free education and is also looking at becoming a coach as well in the near future.

Stefan Welsh some would say has the best chance out of the three of them, but with a college coach who sometimes didn’t understand welsh’s style of play things seem to have went astray. Welsh even played in Israel and Canada after college and while in Canada had one heck of a game where he scored 25 points.

Welsh stated he looks back on Woodside and Boo Williams AAU as some of his most memorable and fondest moments in basketball. “I appreciate more than the game; I appreciate the discipline, the hard work, and my teammates. I got a free education as well, most people never win a championship and we’ve won two back to back before we were even 18 years old,” said Welsh.

“I believe politics plays a major role, either you have the votes or you don’t. I still believe hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard and although there’s politics, I’m never going to give up,” said Welsh speaking about his career.

Bell now works for the government and also coaches junior varsity basketball at Denbigh High School. He says his own basketball career is out of the question, but he loves coaching and he does it every day. “I love coaching and that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life,” said Bell.

Welsh on the other hands believe hard work pays off. “I rather not speak on what tomorrow may bring, but I’ve fought through the politics of basketball all my life, and this time isn’t different,” said Welsh. He’s currently in Virginia working out and will soon be making a major move, stay tuned.

“I may become a coach, but I’m not ruling out my own career just waiting for a chance, the right chance. I can’t change the politicking, I can only over come it,” said Baker. He also resides in Virginia as well and  is currently looking into coaching.

Three very young men all on another course due to the politics and money in this sport, the same sport that once promised so much hope for a better life then the one they grew up in. Politics or talent, we see it for ourselves in almost every sport and life aspect.