THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 12, 1996 TAG: 9604110122
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Les Hawks teaches young boys the fundamentals of basketball and the larger game of life.
``We don't have individual stars. We play team ball,'' said Keith Hawkins, assistant coach of the Aragona/Pembroke Bulls, the team that Les Hawks has coached for the past 10 years. The Bulls are a midget boys team, composed of boys 10-12. They remained undefeated through the first five games.
``And,'' added Hawkins, ``we have the same philosophy on defense that we do offense. If they have a star, we try to take him out of the game by putting pressure on him. We try to make them play team ball, too.''
Hawks knows the values that he teaches - teamwork, cooperation and discipline. He grew up in Portsmouth learning the importance of family values as one of 13 children.
``I grew up in a two-parent family and my kids are growing up in a two-parent family,'' said Hawks, who began coaching to be involved with his own children.
``Lot of kids do not have two parents at home and that's one of the reasons we have problems,'' Hawks said. ``I see parents dropping kids off and I know many of them have to do that, but I didn't want to.''
Hawks is animated during games - roaming along the sidelines and calling out plays and instructions.
``Move your feet on defense,'' he'll shout. ``Stay between him and the basket. Pass the ball to the open man.''
Hawks has some good theories on athletics and what they should teach today's youth.
``I want to instill a winning attitude in them,'' Hawks said. ``Coach a winning attitude - not just winning games. Attitudes for winning later in life, not just out here.
``I tell them you can't change the last play, but you can change the next. I'm their biggest cheerleader and their biggest critic. However, they know when I criticize them, it's only to show them their mistakes and how to correct them.''
Hawks credits his wife, Belinda, for being part of his success. Herself a Portsmouth native and one of eight children, Belinda Hawks works as a day-care provider, said Hawks.
``My wife is a college graduate, a very capable fashion designer who also takes care of our three children. So she's around kids all the time.''
The Hawks have three sons, Kemel, 13, Kellen, 7, and Kenay, 4.
BOW CREEK UPDATE: The golf course has been closed since Nov. 1 for renovation and refurbishing. The biggest project has nothing to do with golf, but could affect play somewhat. The city is building a storm water management pond as part of its environmental effort. A drainage canal for the system will border holes 2, 3 and 4.
``We're also taking a look at the course's irrigation and drainage, too,'' said Steve Shields, golf course administrator for the Parks and Recreation Department. There is a general reworking and refurbishing being looked into, he added.
The course is tentatively scheduled for re-opening on July 1. The unduly harsh winter weather has played havoc with the construction work and the date will be reevaluated around the middle of April, Shields said.
``Par will stay the same (at reopening),'' he said. ``The course may be rated again. It could be a little more difficult to play because of the changes. It might call for better course management because of the water. Players may have to hit better tee shots.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Les Hawks has coached youth basketball for 10 years.
by CNB