Basketball teacher has been donating his time to free youth program for 30 years

For years a little-known program that teaches kids basketball skills, along with some valuable lessons on the side about being good citizens, has been a well-kept secret in Corvallis.

The free program for any child between the ages of 6 and 14, called Corvallis Youth Group, is led by Nathen Doan, who has voluntarily taught the program for 30 years.

With a lot of patience, and a small dose of discipline, Doan teaches kids not only the fundamentals of basketball, but also essential tools needed in life, such as working together and communication.

The program has never been advertised, said Doan. Information about joining spreads mostly by word of mouth and pamphlets handed out by volunteers. But that hasn't kept attendance low; at one time there were 100 kids participating.

Twenty-two children showed up recently for the last practice before summer break at the Wilson Elementary gym, where the program has been every Wednesday night during the school year for the last 23 years.

After a few short instructions, Doan started the kids on a round of basketball drills.

"Go all the way to the wall and then come back to the red line. … Ready, set, go!" Doan called out, and the kids headed across the gymnasium moving at the steady beat of 22 bouncing balls.

Like a sergeant inspecting his ranks, Doan surveyed the kids as they performed each drill, and corrected and repositioned kids who didn't have it quite right.

"I'm a real stickler on dribbling," he said to the kids.

Doan makes learning fun for the kids by adding a number of friendly competitions, where in the end everyone wins. He said he also works to instill confidence in the ones who need it by giving them extra chances to participate; maybe throwing an extra free-throw now and then.

Throughout practices he also incorporates little bits and pieces about cooperation, team work and respect. He encourages them to think for themselves and to choose their friends wisely.

"The people you're around will influence you. If they tell you to jump off a cliff, would you?" he asked the kids.

In return they all yelled in unison, a resounding "No!"

There are rules to be obeyed, though, which are namely no swearing, no talking back, no hands in the pockets, and girls respect boys and boys respect girls. Those who disrespect the rules are told to run a lap, which most do willingly.

Parent Terrie Grant of Harlan said she was once told to run a lap herself for not paying attention. Her 10-year-old daughter, Rebekah, participated in the program this year. Rebekah's mother, father and grandparents regularly drove to Corvallis to attend each practice, and watched from the steps of the gym's stage along with a number of other parents.

"The kids all got a kick out of that," joked Terrie about the lap she ran. Since Rebekah joined, her basketball skills have greatly improved, she added.

Jay Judd of Corvallis watched the last practice from the sidelines as his 9-year-old son, Parker, participated in the games on the court.

"His patience level is phenomenal," said Judd of Doan's coaching. "He's incredibly consistent. I think he just loves to teach kids."

Judd said he often sees Doan scanning the group of kids, and that when he sees a child having difficulty with a specific skill, he will then re-teach the whole group the proper technique.

"I think he's earned all their respect and treats them all fair," Judd added.

Doan got his start coaching basketball at Chemawa High School in Salem in 1971. In 1978-79, he coached high school girls' basketball in Perry Dale, taking the team to the district playoffs for the first time in the school's history. He later coached at McMinnville High School and for middle school teams in Gervais and Falls City, coaching more than 46 winning games in a row.

Doan said he received offers for coaching positions from different colleges, but turned them down.

"I never felt I was supposed to be in those areas," Doan said, explaining that he'd rather teach children.

"I like to see kids become whole, complete people," he said.

Volunteer Dee Husk has helped Doan with the program since it began. She collects signatures from parents and watches the practices from the sidelines.

She said she used to think the main benefit of the program was that it kept kids off the streets at night.

Now she says, seeing the children playing together gives a sense of accomplishment.

"They can tell if you care about them, kids can tell."

For information on next year's Corvallis Youth Group basketball program call 503-606-2735.