We’re looking forward to introducing you to Hilda Mateiu. Check out our conversation below.
Hilda, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Other days we have practices, coaches are planning practices conducting drills, watching film, strategizing for upcoming games, recruiting new talent, and providing feedback to players.
As a manager and owner of the organization, I plan all of the tournament schedules, league games, and manage all the teams, making sure that we have small teams so all the players can develop and play. I am in contact with the parents, coaches, and team personnel.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Hilda Mateiu and I am the owner of San Marcos Basketball 501 C3 Nonprofit located in San Marcos, California serving all of San Marcos and vicinities for AAU basketball teams and training. Both my husband and I played for the national team of Romania while we were in high school and we were developed and helped by a nonprofit local program we have had in our city. San Marcos Basketball serves financially, struggling families that have amazing athletes that could not afford the fees for club teams. We give out about 10 scholarships per season. Our fees are half or 1/3 of the price for any other competitive AAU travel basketball teams. We wanted the community to have a developmental program similar to the program we grew up with in Europe. We are combining European style basketball with American style basketball and we are getting great results with our teams. Our goal is to develop basketball players for our local high schools and colleges.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My coach was the one who saw my potential before I believed in it as well. He encouraged me to work harder and push my limits. I always had more in me than I thought I would.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Embrace being sore, the running, training is all part of your benefits that you will have later on once you achieve success. You need to push yourself harder every single day and work extra besides your practices. You need to want it. Your failures do not define you, but they help you get to success.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Many players nowadays have amazing skills and shooting techniques, they get by with it in elite settings. However, many of these players are not taught that basketball is a team sport. They need to work, believe and hustle as a team. I see a lot of individual development in players, but I don’t see a lot of team development and IQ for basketball decisions on the court. Basketball has always been a team sport and players that understand that prevail in leadership and win championships.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I know many basketball players will remember their coaches and will remember their fond memories from middle school and high school. I really hope the kids will remember what their coaches teach them not only in basketball but lesson lessons and takeaways that they can apply in life as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smbball.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanmarcosthunder?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smbball?mibextid=wwXIfr
