Merle M. McLain

Coach/Mentor of Young Athletes focusing on teaching life lessons through Basketball. Blessed Husband & Father of three. Believer in Jesus Christ.

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

FINISH STRONG FRIDAY: START Strong, STAY Strong and FINISH Strong by ALWAYS remembering WHY you are doing it in the first place.
- Ralph Marston

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

TENACITY TUESDAY:
Successful athletes/people train well in the small things for a long time and that is how they are able to have the right mindset when the time comes to win the big game, race or close the big deal!!!

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

Instead of thinking you’re behind, maybe your starting line was pushed back by challenges.
Don’t let it to stop you!!!!

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

SATURDAY SPECIAL:

Your future will be influenced by the people you spend your time with. Don’t waste your energy on those who don’t believe in you. Spend time with those who empower, challenge, and appreciate you.

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

Gold Nugget: Leadership is a tool to lift others, not a stepping stone for yourself. Success means helping your team find their own greatness.
- Merle M McLain
07/31/2026

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

MOTIVATION MONDAY:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
- Henry David Thoreau

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

Time for Snow Valley Iowa Basketball Camp to start rolling.

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

MONDAY MOTIVATION:

Don’t just be motivated to win. Be motivated to give your best effort. If you give your best effort, winning will take care of itself.

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

@dshow23 Awesome - Excited to see you soon Coach and ready to learn to be a more effective teacher of the game of basketball and life!!!

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

So excited for my 2nd session at Snow Valley Iowa Basketball Camp. Great opportunity to learn from some of the greatest coaches and become a more effective teacher of the game of basketball and life!!!

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

Leadership Nugget: Effective Communication is the cornerstone of success!!! The world is complicated enough. The last thing anyone needs is to waste time guessing and second-guessing the priorities, objectives, means, methods, and criteria for success.

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

WILLPOWER WEDNESDAY:
You can’t always SEPARATE yourself with your TALENT, but you can OUT DISTANCE people with a DETERMINED ATTITUDE!
- Tom Crean

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

MOTIVATION MONDAY:
The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.
– Napoleon Hill

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

Just as a light focused becomes a laser that can cut through steel, a life focused becomes a force that can cut through the status quo.

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

You are your only hurdle.
You’re never too old to transform your life.

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

Put our heart, mind and soul into even the smallest acts. This is the secret of success.
- Author Unknown

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

Winners are consistent, determined, hard working players...that take no shortcuts!

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

The in-season play is built from the off-season workouts. Develop and execute off-season routines to reach, lean, press on to advance and get better!!!

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

SUNDAY SPARK:
Strength is attained as a result of PRIOR discipline and perseverance.
Courage is pressing forward even if the outcome is not within your control.

[Merle M. McLain @CoachMcLain32]

Victory goes to those with the fortitude to do what is required to Win!!!