Stanford star holds basketball camp at Woodside School Stanford star holds basketball camp at Woodside School (August 04, 2004)

** Camp combines basketball fundamentals and life skills.

By Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer

Matt Lottich, captain of Stanford's 2004 championship basketball team, is bringing his boys' basketball camp to Woodside Elementary School this summer.

Matt, known for hitting three-point shots at clutch time, says the camp teaches life skills in addition to basketball fundamentals.

"What I learned on the courts extends to my life," he said. "It never is just about me; it is always about a team."

During his time at Stanford, he has been voted "most improved" and "most inspirational," and he received the "toughness award."

Before camp opened at Woodside School in July, Matt and his teammate Otalunde Sobomehin tried out their ideas for the camp at the Boys and Girls Club in East Palo Alto.

Dan Vinson, Woodside School District's new superintendent, has given his stamp of approval to the camp. He said he's working on improving the middle-school program, including bringing more athletic activities on campus.

At the Matt Lottich camp, players are grouped by age and ability. The emphasis is on fundamentals, sportsmanship, shooting and team play. There are 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 tournaments, shooting contests with Matt, and prizes and awards. Participants get a camp T-shirt.

Also coaching will be Otalunde's brother, Oladele Sobomehin, a senior at Santa Clara University, and John Montgomery, a junior at Loyola-Marymount. They have worked with kids and coached basketball. Otalunde coached the Corte Madera School sixth-grade basketball team to the league championship this past year. He also helped coach the Alpine Timberwolves, the Portola Valley soccer team for boys, 12.

INFORMATION

The Matt Lottich Life Skills Basketball Camp for boys, ages 7 to 15, will hold another session August 25-27 at Woodside Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee is $345. Players need to bring their basketball shoes and athletic shorts (no jeans). For information, check www.stanford.edu/~mlottich, or call 387-1108.

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