Frank Oliver, Jr. at the DC Coaches' Association's East-West All Star Basketball Game, March 20, 2008
By Monica Grover
DigitalSports DC
mgrover@digitalsports.com
On
March 20th, in front of a packed arena at the H.D. Woodson Warriors’ “Tower of
Power,” he led the All Star Senior Ladies of the DCIAA East Schools to
the 2008 Coaches’ Association East-West Basketball championship. On March 4th,
he guided the Lady Warriors' basketball team to the 2008 DC City Title victory,
after claiming the DCIAA Girls East Division and Conference Title three years
in a row. Three’s the lucky number because every year for the last three years, a player from his team has also been named the
Gatorade Player of the Year. In addition, DigitalSports DC recently named him
the 2008 Basketball Coach of the Year.
His name is Frank Oliver, Jr., Head Coach of the H.D. Woodson Lady
Warriors' basketball team.
Even
more impressive than his many championship victories are his character and
ability to lead, inspire, and motivate. He has a humble demeanor and he values
hard work. He is deeply committed to ensuring that his entire team gets into
college, learns and advances. He emphasizes discipline, goal-setting, and continuous effort in the classroom and on the court.
“We had
90 percent of our team on the honor roll last year,” Oliver, Jr. said.
Oliver, Jr. recently founded a not-for-profit organization called the DC C.O.B.R.A.S., the acronym for which is "College Opportunity through Basketball Readiness and Academic Success." The DC C.O.B.R.A.S. helps prepare student-athletes in high school for life in college. In addition to college preparation, the program focuses on college retention. The program's mark of success is demonstrated in the number of its students that graduate from college. Oliver, Jr.'s goal is to help young people utilize basketball as a vehicle through which to enter and graduate college.
In
a recent interview, Oliver, Jr. said, “What we try to do is structure their [his
team’s] lives through basketball and academics. They study hard every single
day, and they get the opportunity to travel and see the world through playing
in various basketball tournaments.” In December, his team was invited to the
prestigious “invitation only” Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Arizona. Ronika Ransford, #5 Sophomore Point Guard
said, “It’s been
a whirlwind of amazement."
As
he rattles off the number of schools that #15 Senior Guard, Patrice Johnson, is
being recruited by, humble pride about the accomplishments of his players is
evident. “She does it all for us. She’s our senior captain. She’s being
recruited by Illinois, Miami, Florida, Coppin State, Temple and a host of other
universities.” Patrice Johnson will announce the college she decides to sign
with at a press conference at H.D. Woodson on April 15th. Oliver, Jr. constantly shines recognition and
praise upon his team, not himself.
The
role of a coach is to guide, support, unify, and motivate. Coach Oliver, Jr. is entering
his 4th year as Head Coach of H.D. Woodson's Lady Warriors’ basketball
team. The
achievements of the H.D. Woodson Lady Warriors are a reflection of Oliver, Jr.'s
commitment, determination and attitude. His team respects him and appreciates
his advice and guidance.
#10
Shooting Guard, Bernisha Pinkett, said, “We have a good coach who gives us
direction throughout life. We are a family and our coach is not here for us to
just go out and win. He’s here to help give us direction.” Oliver, Jr.’s players
speak highly of him, and what a coach's players say about him is the absolute indicator of the impact a coach has on his team.
Within
his players, he cultivates great athleticism, a commitment to academics, community service,
determination, and strength of character. His players are well-rounded, positive contributors to their
school and community, and that says volumes about his coaching abilities.
Oliver, Jr. said, “The last few years have been a period of growth and development
for me and the team. Each year we’ve improved steadily.” Coach Oliver, Jr. believes
that he is still in the early stages of his coaching career and "the best
is yet to come."