Feb. 27, 2003

By Angela Lento
CollegeInsider.com

Over the past 18 seasons, Billy Lee has made a name for himself at Campbell University. He has guided the Fighting Camels to over 200 wins, the NCAA tournament and a level that the school could not boast before his arrival.

Beyond the court, Campbell has twice been recognized by USA Today for its outstanding graduation rates.

In short, Billy Lee has been a winner on and off the court.

But coach Lee has also earned a reputation for being one of the game true characters, with some of witty one-liners, which many a coach have borrowed for public speaking engagements.

"We crushed 'em by one" and "It was an ugly win. It was ugly enough to make a train take a dirt road" are just scratching the surface of Lee.

And when Campbell prepared to face Duke, in the 1992 NCAA Tournament, Lee offered up some interesting thoughts.

"We'll be in a swordfight with a pocketknife."

"It's Lee's fleas against Duke's trees, and it's got me on my knees saying please, please, please."

His post game press conferences are among the most entertaining. But there is another side to Lee. There is Billy Lee the father.

"It's hard to be a dad and a coach," says Lee. "But I think it's harder on him. The good thing is that we are still talking."

The 'him' that coach Lee refers to is his son, Brooks who is Campbell's point guard.

After graduating from Harnett Central high school, the younger Lee enrolled at High Point University where he played two seasons under head coach Jerry Steele.

Lee made an immediate impact for the Panthers and an even bigger impact in games against Campbell.

"Brooks would always play his best against his dad," laughs Lee. "I guess he must have realized that daddy needed help so he transferred to Campbell."

Last season at Campbell, Brooks led the Atlantic Sun in assists and finished fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio, giving the elder Lee some real stability as the coach on the floor.

But there have been those occasions when the father had to remind the son who was the boss.

"I have thrown him out of practice a few times," laughs Lee. "If I don't like the way we are doing something in practice somebody has to go, but Brooks knows the routine. There have been many times when he has said, 'dad maybe it's time for this pre game speech.'"

As a coach, Lee is so proud of the way his son has played. As a father, Lee is even more proud of the fact that his son has already earned his degree and is working towards his Masters.

Lee knew from the very start that it would be no easy task to be both a coach and a father in the same setting. But it's very clear that he would have it no other way.

Saturday will be Brooks' final collegiate home game, which will be a bitter sweet reality for the father who happens to also be the coach.

"When the time comes I will deal with it," says Lee. "It won't be easy."

But in typical 'coach' Lee style, he recalls the days when Brooks' was the team ball boy.

"When he was about five we played against Wake Forest," says Lee. "They kicked us pretty good and after the game Brooks, with a handful of towels, bags and warm-ups, kicked open the locker room door and yelled out, 'who scheduled this game anyway?'"

My Heroes
St. John's head coach Mike Jarvis is widely regarded as one of the better coaches in college basketball. His journey from Boston University to George Washington and St. John's has been highlighted with numerous wins and accolades.

But Jarvis may not have ever coached a game if it were not for the great influence of two men -- Jackie Robinson and Bill Russell.

Like Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell had to overcome a lot of obstacles. Watching him reach his goals had a very profound effect on me. It's safe to say that I would not be where I am today if not for Bill Russell and Jackie Robinson. Mike Jarvis, St. John's head coach

"As a youngster my mother told me so much about Jackie Robinson," says Jarvis. "He had to overcome so much and he did. That was an inspiration to me."

One of the very first movies that Jarvis ever watched was "The Jackie Robinson Story," which further outlined the difficulties and challenges that Robinson faced every day.

At an early age, it was clear to Jarvis that the path to success would not be an easy one, but Robinson had shown that it can be done.

"Racism is still the biggest problem today," says Jarvis. "My mother would always tell me that I had to work harder to attain my goals. That doesn't always work, but it's good advice and that is what Jackie Robinson did. He gave me hope."

Beyond the racial barriers that Robinson would have to breakdown, Jarvis was also thoroughly impressed with the way he played the game and the way he changed the game.

And like Robinson's furry on the base paths changed the strategy of opponents, so did the arrival of Bill Russell to the NBA.

Never before was there a defensive presence the likes of Russell and that had a profound effect on a young Jarvis.

"I remember when my brother, Richard, took to my first Celtic game," says Jarvis. "I fell in love with Celtic basketball and loved to watch Bill Russell. Some kids use to fall asleep counting sheep. I would fall asleep counting Bill Russell rebounds."

Jarvis marveled at Russell because he was slender in build and didn't have the physical makeup of a dominating player, yet he did dominate in rebounding and blocking shots.

Like Robinson, Russell had to endure continuous racial attacks, which even to this day is still prevalent in Boston.

His ability to overcome the ignorance of others and excel at the highest level further inspired a young Jarvis.

"Like Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell had to overcome a lot of obstacles," says Jarvis. "Watching him reach his goals had a very profound effect on me. It's safe to say that I would not be where I am today if not for Bill Russell and Jackie Robinson."

Coach Jarvis plans on doing a column, further expanding on his heroes.

Always Smile
Some would say that Tennessee head coach Buzz Peterson has had a charmed existence. He was tutored by legendary coach Dean Smith and befriending and is still very good friends with Michael Jordan.

Peterson may be the coach he is today because of coach Smith and perhaps he gets his sense of style from Jordan, but he is the caring and down to earth person he is because of his mother.

"Always smile is what my mom would say," says Peterson. "She taught me at a young age that is was important to treat everyone with respect. Some people only treat certain people nice, but I don't see it that way. The custodian and the chancellor or both human beings and both should be treated as equals."

You can often judge the real identity of an individual by simply listening to his or her piers. In the coaching profession, coaches live by the expression, 'if you don't have something nice to say than don't say anything.'

Undoubtedly, coaches recognize that they all catch enough flack from the media so there is no need to attack one another. But while you won't often hear about those out of favor, you will get an earful regarding those that are well liked.

And Peterson is a name that coaches bring up a lot. He's genuine.

"It's important to treat everyday like a masterpiece," says Peterson. "Things aren't always going to go the way you want, but you have to keep it all in perspective. Mom was right, when things aren't going well it's amazing what a smile can do. It will get you through the day."

And as coach Peterson admits, a smile will get you through school too.

"I wasn't a very good student," laughs Peterson. "But I always smiled so maybe that helped me get by."

Honesty, integrity and loyalty form the foundation of Buzz Peterson. People with those qualities deserve success. And while you may not route for his team, you have to find it very difficult to route against him.

College basketball needs more Buzz Petersons.