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I have known John Berry for four years. He has coached my son in
basketball for each of those years, starting in the 6th grade. For
two of those years, I actually assisted John with his coaching duties,
so I was able to see from the inside how effective a basketball
coach John could be. He coached the same boys from the time they
were 11 through when they were 15. These are volatile years for
boys, especially as they start their adolesence. It was remarkable
to watch the way John could get through to them, even at a time
when some of their parents could not. He commanded their respect
with his personality and his technical basketball knowledge. He
could teach them how to execute a play with the precision of watchmaker,
and he could keep their attention focussed, even after a full day
at school, when practice started at 8:30 pm. If you've ever worked
with boys this age, you know this is no small accomplishment.
For the past year, I have also watched John coach some of these
boys on an individual basis. I know four boys he has trained, one
of whom is my own son. Each kid has exploded from a basketball perspective:
mediocre players have become very good, very good players have become
dominant players. More impressively, though, he has left a permanent
imprint on each person in the area of values. Each kid has an unquestionable
commitment to John, to the workouts, and to themselves. This work
ethic has translated into concrete results, and continuing escalation
of self-confidence. Later on in life, these lessons will pay even
greater dividends.
Jeff G.
Northern New Jersey
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