Smiley Teaches the Game of Life

When students sign up to play boys’ basketball at Crescenta Valley High, they better be prepared to learn more than just layup drills and how to run a 2-2-1 zone press.

Each player has to write a letter to his teacher promising to be “an exceptional student in both effort and behavior.”

Players who receive an N (needs improvement) or a U (unsatisfactory) in citizenship are stripped of their jersey, barred from wearing any Falcon apparel and forced to run extra conditioning laps until their behavior is corrected.

Players are asked to meet a team goal of a 3.0 grade-point average and participate in a community service program that performs more than 1,000 hours each year.

“I think what coach is trying to do is let everyone know that school comes before our basketball program,” senior forward Jeff Myers said.

And what happens if a player doesn’t like the rules?

“If you have a problem with it, there’s the door and have a nice day,” Myers said.

Of the 51 players in the Crescenta Valley basketball program, only one had a U.

“I want it to be where a young man walks in and says, ‘I’m a CV basketball player,’ and a teacher is pleased and excited about having a Falcon in their class,” Coach Jim Smiley said.

In an era where tutors have been known to write term papers for athletes and teachers have changed grades under pressure from coaches, Crescenta Valley basketball players must overcome natural skepticism in what they’re trying to accomplish.

“I know for some kids, [signing the academic promise] meant more than a commitment than they’re used to putting out,” Myers said. “I’ve heard coaches reacting differently, some saying they’re false promises.”

Smiley wants his fellow teachers to know he’s serious about how his players are going to perform on and off the court.

“There are only two responses,” Smiley said. “Either, ‘Great job’ or, ‘Well, I hope this isn’t lip service.’ We’ve pretty much proven to them it isn’t lip service.”

Smiley played under John Goffredo, former Crescenta Valley coach, and took over the program from Goffredo three years ago.

A freshman this year is Jimmy Goffredo, John’s son. Jimmy was born during Smiley’s senior season.

“My goal is to give every player what I got out of the program,” Smiley said. “When they don’t, I feel I failed.”

Smiley isn’t the first coach and hopefully won’t be the last to teach his players more than basketball.

At Fillmore, Coach Harold Burns sends out a letter to teachers listing his varsity players’ names and grade-point averages along with this message: “They are expected to be role models on campus, on the court and in the community. Please advise me if there is a concern or problem.”

It is refreshing when coaches demand their players to be more than average.

Smiley has attracted an impressive collection of students for his team. They include Myers, student body president; Mark McCauley, ASB director of school activities and homecoming king; James Jenkins, junior class prince, and Goffredo, freshman class prince.

“Basketball will end for those guys when they graduate from high school,” Smiley said. “The values we are teaching them they can take forever.”

By the way, the Falcons can play basketball quite well.

Jenkins is a 6-foot-6 All-Pacific League choice.

McCauley is one of the best athletes in the school.

The 6-4 Myers plays hard every moment on the court.

Goffredo is going to surprise people with his maturity and skills.

*

Weird is the only word to describe the atmosphere for the Saugus-Highland football playoff game Saturday morning at College of the Canyons.

Admission was free. One cheerleader complained she didn’t have enough time to get her hair done. A Saugus manager was so tired she slept on the team bench. Half the players had dirty uniforms, but some, like receiver Nathan Steele of Saugus, did their own midnight washing.

“I like being clean,” Steele said. “I don’t like smelling.”

The officials got full pay for 30 minutes of work. One official had Kings’ season tickets and lost out on $100 to work the game. Another official couldn’t forget the scene from Friday night, when a power blackout in the third quarter left the stadium in darkness.

“I’ve never been in that much darkness in my life,” official Mike Gautreau said.

In the end, Saugus pulled out a 48-37 victory, advancing to the Division III semifinals against Valencia on Saturday.

“It’s awesome,” quarterback David Parker said. . . .

Pitcher Jeff Suppan of the Kansas City Royals, a Crespi graduate, has bought a home in Granada Hills. He always said he’d never leave the Valley. . . .

The boys’ basketball season begins Monday with a superb opening matchup featuring Campbell Hall at Harvard-Westlake in a 7 p.m. game. . . .

Junior kicker Josh Cummings of Hart has kicked the ball 64 times into the end zone for touchbacks this season. He is the nephew of Dale Frack, former Hart receiver. . . .

Defensive end Julius Roberts of Poly finished with 11 sacks and is receiving recruiting interest from Oregon State, USC and California. . . .

Kyle Boller, former Hart quarterback who had surgery for a separated right shoulder, was on the Hart sideline Friday night passing the ball left-handed to his former receiver, Jerry Owens. Considering the zip on his passes, maybe Boller is ambidextrous. . . .

Alex Holmes, former Harvard-Westlake tight end, hasn’t announced his college choice but don’t bet against Michigan. . . .

Woodland Hills St. Mel’s won its second consecutive Catholic Grammar School championship in flag football. Many of its players have gone on to play at Notre Dame and Crespi.

St. Mel’s is led by quarterback Kevin Flahaven and receiver K.C. Croal.

Eric Sondheimer’s column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422 or eric.sondheimer@latimes.com