Women’s College Assistant Coach, Former Collegiate Athlete at NYIT, and Founder of the Long Island Tournament, Rivalries Never Die.
Bryant Lassiter, aka Mook, has always played with a chip on a shoulder. That chip was able to be brushed off, which made him a successful college basketball player, and a successful coach at NYIT: He also discusses his inspiration starting the tournament that showcases the best head-to-head battles over the years on Long Island, called, Rivalries Never Die. All that and more, my conversation with Mook, now.
MOOK SHOW NOTES:
2:56: What sports did you play growing up?
4:22: What did you do after high school?
5:34: What did you do after you broke your ankle?
6:08: When coaching, did you feel like you can compete with them?
7:06: When did you start taking coaching serious?
8:30: Transitioning to being the women’s coach
9:42: Do you want to elevate to become a head coach at some point?
11:00: What has your relationship with referees been?
13:26: Describe your mentors?
16:09: The origin of Rivalries Never Die
18:18: Where do you see Rivalries Never Die going in the future?
19:50: What are the qualities you look for in these events?
20:50: How has coaching helped Rivalries Never Die, Vice Versa?
22:15: How has coaching hurt Rivalries Never Die, Vice Versa?
23:20: Best player to player rivalries that you’ve seen over the years?
24:54: Best team to team rivalries you’ve seen over the years?
25:56: Do you feel the atmosphere of a rival?
29:30: What did you think it took to get to where you are in this moment in time?
32:05: What’s it going to take to where you want to go? Where do you want to go?
33:37: What is your stickiest situation you’ve had in playing Basketball? In Rivalries Never Die?
35:30: What are the best memories you have had in playing Basketball? In Coaching? In Rivalries Never Die?
38:54: Final words before we part ways?
“If you haven’t heard, I’m Michael, Magic, and Bird
All rolled in one, ‘cause none got more flows than Young
Plus got more flows to come
And if I ain’t better than BIG,
I’m the closest one.”
– Jay-Z