Sam Ballard inducted into the Mountain Pointe Hall of Fame
Written by Ernest Hester
When you think of a coach, you think of a signal caller, or even someone who designs X's and O's.
When you think of Mesa Community College head men's basketball coach Sam Ballard, you think of mentor, father figure, friend, ultimate strategist, and most of all, a winner.
After a brief stint with the NBA's Portland Trailblazers in the early 70's, Ballard found himself overseas learning languages, traveling, and playing international basketball.
The true highlight of Coach Ballard's overseas basketball career came the day he met his wife Brigette.
Back in the states after completing another long season, a small mental battle ensued. "Do I play or should I coach?" said Coach Ballard, "I've taken pre law so thats a possibility as well."
The decision to coach above all else would be a life changing moment.
"I was inspired to coach, I felt I could teach these kids how to become men, while winning at a game we all love," said Ballard.
When asked who was some of your coaching inspirations Ballard replied, "Royce Youree, my old high school coach, of course John Wooden, and after I went to hangout at the University of Indiana for 5 days, Bob Knight."
Building a program on winning, in the late 90's, Ballard would take the next step in his coaching career and take the head coaching duties at Mountain Pointe High School.
At Mountain Pointe, Ballard would become legendary. In a conference with the likes of Corona Del Sol, Desert Vista, Marcos De Niza, and McClintock, all basketball powerhouse's, Ballard led Mountain Pointe to more than 170 wins.
Not only were the Pride winning but they were beating teams who were ranked #1, 14 in fact and 35 teams ranked in the top five.
One of Ballard's biggest accomplishments at Mountain Pointe came in 2001 when the Pride held a #1 ranking from opening day to season's end. The same year the Pride won 19 straight games.
"We had a great group of kids, they always did well in class, and they always gave their best effort on the court," said Ballard.
Now successfully coaching at Mesa Community College, Ballard reflects on his hall of fame honors.
"I never really thought about the hall of fame," said Ballard, "my main goal was to teach these kids how to become strong thinking men. Personally, I'm humbled by this experience. I had alot of speacial moments at Mountain Pointe, we always had good kids."
Coach Ballard will train well, play the hardest schedule and bring the most out of his student athletes.
"I tried to be the best, beat the best, and win every game. I wanted all my kids to bring out the best in themselves, while performing on a high level," said Ballard.