Hoops, hustle and heart: David Kane’s participation in intramural basketball and his leadership skills have taken center court since he arrived at FSU.
When Kane arrived at Florida State University three years ago, he was looking to make social connections, stay active and feel like he belonged on campus. Since basketball was a sport he had played since age 6, it only seemed logical for him to head to Tully gym and sign up for intramural basketball. Three years later, you can still find Kane on the court as a teammate, captain and coach.
“I didn’t expect to be a leader when I first joined,” Kane said. “But my personality brought people together, and before I knew it, I was assembling a team. Some of the guys had played competitively in high school and others were more recreational players, but everyone was there to have fun and hopefully form friendships. Intramural sports gave me a built-in team with regular weekly meetups, so it created an instant sense of belonging on campus.”
Now as a junior, he is a player, captain and coach who has brought his team to the level of being worthy opponents when they hit the hardwood.
“As a player, I have speed and strength, so I’m a tough point guard to cover. My playing style and ability to read plays is an asset to the team whether I’m driving the ball to the basket or passing it to a teammate who has the open look for a better shot,” he said.
Leading a team involves being able to inspire, motivate and guide others towards a successful outcome.
“As a captain, I’m good at juggling strategy and team camaraderie by motivating teammates to play hard while making sure everyone gets a chance to contribute. That mix of competitiveness and teamwork is what defines the intramural experience.”
Being a strategic thinker is a necessary skill for coaching because it requires analysis of situations and being able to adjust plans on the fly.
“As a coach, I’m good at keeping cool under pressure. When the score is tight and the clock is winding down, I can stay grounded. In those moments I make smart decisions about what plays to implement as well as what defensive schemes to run to throw off our opponent’s offense.”
Ryan Auger, a close friend of Kane’s who he has played with since freshman year, is a huge fan on and off the court because Kane’s genuine personality shines through in both places.
“David has a lot of basketball knowledge and possesses the ability to make his friends better players both physically and mentally. He is a born teacher, a patient person and leads by example, especially when it comes to determination and hard work.”
Having team chemistry is a major part of being a good team captain and involves keeping everyone focused on the big picture. A strong captain can help settle disagreements, crack a joke to ease tension and knows when to remind everyone it’s time to get serious.
Kaden Krieger, another teammate of Kane’s who joined this year, has also had a positive experience as a member of Kane’s team.
“David thrives on healthy competition and leads not just with his skill but also with his heart. He is extremely encouraging and trusts his teammates. David can make jump shots from long range, fake a shot to take it in for a layup or trust you to be in the right spot when he delivers a pass. These qualities help to keep the team vibe strong whether we are ahead or trailing in a game.”
This year, Kane’s team had an undefeated regular season, winning all six games, and headed into the playoffs as the seventh seed out of 52 teams. This was due to Kane being an MVP when it came to helping everyone else shine.
“Being part of an FSU intramural basketball team adds to my life because it makes me feel like a part of the campus community,” Kane said. “It has given me a sense of pride that is making my college experience more meaningful.”