The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency reported that coaches of youth sports programs rank as the most positive influence on young people and, in many respects, place them above parents, teachers, and religious leaders in influencing their social development.
Recognizing the impact coaches have — both during and long after the coaching relationship has finished — Dr. Michael W. Austin, writing in Psychology Today, notes that coaches "have a moral responsibility to have a positive impact on their players" and that to do so, a coach "must be a person of character, moral courage, respect, and integrity."
This seems to be precisely the premise behind Coach Mike Buffalo's basketball development program aptly named Faith & Grind. As explained to MetroSports Magazine, "On the basketball court, we must have Faith in our teammates, our coaches' strategies, and more importantly Faith in ourselves. In addition to such Faith, we must Grind — work hard to improve our overall basketball development to become victorious on the court."
Extending the impact of his training philosophy beyond basketball he adds: "I want the youth to know that Faith & Grind doesn't only apply to basketball or any other sport; it extends to academics as well. In order for you to be a great student, you must first believe that you can become one and then put forth the effort in doing so."
We first met Coach Buffalo at the Westchester County Center, where he developed a relationship with the team's general manager and former New York Knicks great, Allan Houston. Houston, who runs his own faith-based youth development program FISLL (Faith, Integrity, Sacrifice, Leadership and Legacy), has provided both inspiration and guidance to Coach Buffalo.
"I met Allan Houston about three years ago through a friend of mine, Doron Lamb, who formerly played for the Westchester Knicks. Houston agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to guest-speak at the Faith & Grind Basketball School. It was a phenomenal event. Having a New York Knicks legend speak at a function I put together felt surreal."
Not one to overlook New York's other professional basketball team, Coach Buffalo has also built a relationship with the Brooklyn Nets. "I was hired in the summer of 2018 as a Youth Basketball Academy Clinician where we give back to the various communities in Brooklyn by hosting free basketball clinics and camps throughout the year."
When asked when he knew this was the right path, Buffalo pointed to his senior year at York College. "There was a kid named Morgan Conner who saved my life. I fell out of love with the game because of the constant disappointments. But Conner still looked up to me as a role model. That admiration reignited my love for the game and from that point on, I knew I had a special connection to the youth."
Faith & Grind Basketball School currently operates at locations throughout Westchester County, including health clubs, public parks, and private homes. "I do this to try my best to accommodate everyone and keep it as local as possible — The Westchester Gym in Elmsford, Clark Academy High School in Dobbs Ferry, Greenville Elementary School in Scarsdale, and the Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford."
"Over the next 5 years, I see Faith & Grind growing tremendously by expanding and influencing kids in different fields of life. I would like to travel to different places across the world and continue spreading a positive message that anything is possible with just two words: Faith & Grind."
