All American Advice

I've recently "met" (virtually anyway) the author of a very interesting book called, Raising An All American - Helping Your Child Succeed in Athletics and Life by Devin Durrant.

Devin should know about being an All American, because he was one in basketball. The title of his book sums up his mission. At one level this is a book about parenting. At another level you can think about the book from the perspective of leadership - both personally and as a parent. And of course, if you are a basketball fan, you'll especially enjoy the book.

I did a short interview with Devin, and here it is . . .

Kevin: What led you to write Raising an All American?

Devin: Just before I graduated from high school, my basketball coach, Jim Spencer, asked me to write a paper on what I thought it took to become an All-American. I had just been named to the McDonald's All-American basketball team. He wanted to share my thoughts with his future players. Writing that paper made me consider my formula for success. I have been refining that formula since the time I wrote that paper back in high school. Since graduating from college in 1984, I have worked with youth in many different capacities. For nine years I ran a basketball camp. Because of my success as a basketball player in high school, college, and as a professional, I have been asked many times by young people, "What can I do to be a successful athlete?" and by parents, "How can I help my child succeed in sports?" The thoughts I share in Raising An All-American are an accumulation of ideas that combined together make up a formula for success. That formula is contained in my All-American Puzzle. As I have grown older, I have realized that the formula for excellence in athletics can also be used to succeed in life.

Kevin: Why is it that you picked a puzzle as your metaphor /model?

Devin: Primarily, because a puzzle is something almost everyone can relate to. We'll all experienced the process of putting a puzzle together. Secondarily, as a kid, I loved to put puzzles together so it was a natural metaphor for me to use with my All-American Puzzle.

Kevin: Is this book only for parents of athletes/aspiring athletes?

Devin: Raising An All-American is mostly for parents but in the book I invite parents to have their children read sections that the parents think would be of value to their child. I then encourage the parents to discuss what has been read with their child.

Kevin: At what aged kids is this book most applicable for?

Devin: I think it has application for parents of kids as young as 6 years old up to 18.

Kevin: What is your favorite basketball memory?

Devin: My favorite basketball memory would be winning the state championship my senior year of high school. It was particularly rewarding because I had been close the previous two years but had lost both times in the semifinals of the state tournament. I also remember with fondness the opportunities that I had to compete with and against Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Danny Ainge, Karl Malone, and other great athletes.

Kevin: What is the best part of your experience in being an All American?

Devin: The best part is what I learned from the process of arriving. That's what I try to share in my book - successes and failures. The principles and values that I learned from pursuing athletic goals have carried over into over parts of my life after sports and have enriched my life is a number of ways.

This book has an interesting approach from a perspective Devin is unquely qualified to take. If you order a copy today you will have an opportunity to receive some amazing bonuses along with your book order. For information on the book and this offer go here.

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