McCracken Basketball Camp at Albion College

CAMP GOALS & IDEALS

A high school coach once told us, “Do you know why I like your camp? It’s because you teach – you don’t just throw out the ball and say ‘play’.” The two long-stated goals of The McCracken Basketball Camp are that each camper should 1) have fun; and 2) learn to become the best player that he or she can possibly be. We work toward both of these goals in every camp activity.

I think that basketball must be fun, and that players should look forward to going to the gym. We work to make learning how to play basketball interesting and enjoyable. Making things fun doesn’t mean not working hard. Hard work can be fun, if approached with the right attitude (just ask any former camper about our Defense Day or Stations). We also feel that being positive and offering encouragement when teaching basketball is very effective in improving a player’s confidence and interest in the game.

Our second goal is that campers work to be the best they can possibly be. We have been saying this for 50 years. To do this, it is important that players learn how to play the game correctly, and that they practice those techniques. Playing games is good for improving reactions and decision-making in game situations, but there are limits to how much improvement can be made if all a developing player does is play games. Our program will give an advantage to the individual player looking to improve. In competition, players tend to shy away from their weaknesses (off-hand, outside shooting, etc.) or parts of their game where they’re simply not as confident yet, as it might lead to a turnover or missed shot. In a game situation, the next thing the player knows, he or she is sitting on the bench. At camp we give detailed instruction along with repetitive drills that will give campers the ability and confidence to become more complete players. We also show drills and practice techniques that can be used to continue to improve individual skills. Those individual skills (both basic and advanced) can be mastered and, only then, blended with those of other players so that a team may have success.

P.S. to Parents:

Parents ask me why they should send their son or daughter to our camp. What makes our camp so different from other camps? It’s no secret. Our philosophy is that we believe in personal attention for each player, both on and off the courts. We are not an assembly line, stuffing kids into slots. The individual is the most important part of our camp and always will be.

We would appreciate the opportunity to work with your son or daughter. If you have any questions about the camp program, supervision, safety, staff, etc., please call or email me directly.

Coach German
Phone: (260) 432-0099
E-mail: todd@mccrackencamps.com

Miller was named Crossroads League co-coach of the year in 2015-16 after the Maple Leafs set a school record with 27 wins, advancing to the Fab Four of the NAIA Division II National Tournament for the first time in program history. The team was picked to finish seventh in the league in the preseason coaches’ poll and finished the season ranked fourth—in the nation. Goshen won a program-record 15 Crossroads League games, taking second place, and hosted a CL tournament matchup for the first time since 2004. The 2004 team was also the only previous squad to qualify for nationals.

In 2014-15, Miller led the Maple Leafs to an 18-13 record, Goshen’s first winning season in 10 years, improving on a 4-26 mark the year before. Her team finished 9-9 in Crossroads League play, went on a seven-game winning streak for the first time since 2004, and reached the conference quarterfinals for the first time since 2008.

Out of Miller's first six recruiting classes, every player to play through her senior season has graduated. The group includes five 1,000-point scorers, two NAIA All-Americans and a first-team all-NAIA tournament pick along with three Goshen College record-holders.

Miller's athletes account for more than 20 percent of the spots in Goshen's record book with 68 of the 303 positions in the top 10 (including ties) occupied by players of the last six seasons. They have earned 10 all-conference honors, seven conference player of the week victories, and nine Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete certificates.

Her most recent job before Goshen was at Hill McCloy High School in Montrose, Michigan, where she posted a .655 winning percentage and coach 15 future collegiate athletes; between 2000 and 2011, she coached basketball for 11 years and softball for five.

The Grosse Ile, Michigan, native also coached high-level AAU basketball for nearly ten years in several age brackets. Her Michigan Spartans 16U team were national runner-ups in 1998 and she reached the state tournament three times. She has also been a camp site director for McCracken Basketball Camps since 1992.