More Than Just Hoops: Jason Logan on Mentorship and Community Building Through Basketball

[Shirin Mollah] (0:00 - 0:45)
Welcome to the Sports Economist, the podcast where we dive deep into economics behind the games we love. I'm your host, Shirin Mollah Today we're looking at high school sports, not just of space for character building, but as a powerful part of our local economy and a pipeline of opportunity.

Today I'm joined by Jason Logan. He's a head coach of a high school girls basketball program, a personal trainer, and the director of Logan Basketball Academy. Jason brings years of experience mentoring young athletes and building competitive teams.

Welcome Jason. Let's start with your coaching journey and the impact you've seen on your players. All right, so what made you become a head coach for basketball and what made you come back all the time?

[Jason Logan] (0:46 - 1:56)
Living in South Carolina and mom raising four kids on her own and I wanted to be part of a team. In high school I joined the basketball team and I was very out of control as a teenager and my coach literally put his foot down and was like, hey, you can be something here and took me under his wing and literally taught me the importance of the little things, meaning going to class, having good grades, making sure I wore a tie for game day. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have graduated from high school.

And he was there for graduation, he was there for my, for prom, for every important thing, he was always there. He took me on my first college visit, he got me new tires for my car. So that's why I would like to do the same thing as a coach because he did so much for me growing up.

[Shirin Mollah] (1:56 - 2:00)
So your coach was more than just on the basketball court.

[Jason Logan] (2:00 - 2:00)
Yes.

[Shirin Mollah] (2:01 - 2:05)
What about a player that has actually stuck with you over time?

[Jason Logan] (2:06 - 2:24)
It's been a lot of players. For me as a coach, it's more of, I like to see them grow. So if you're there only for one year, two years, you do all four years, I like to just see you grow as a person.

[Shirin Mollah] (2:25 - 2:32)
So you talk about growth and sports gives us a lot of life skills. What do you think basketball teaches us?

[Jason Logan] (2:32 - 3:19)
It teaches us a lot of things, discipline, teamwork, resilience. I think that will definitely translate to the workforce here. Just because you get an internship, you go into another business, and you become a manager, right?

And then you have a team that's right under you. So I'm always, for me as a coach, I never punish just one person, I always punish the team. So it teaches you in that workforce, if one of your coworkers isn't doing their job, guess what?

That hurts you, it hurts the team. So it's, if the people beneath you is doing well, guess what? It looks great on you.

So it's always about team, team, team, team.

[Shirin Mollah] (3:20 - 3:37)
What I also noticed about basketball, watching basketball, we play on the same flag football team. So football is, it's a little bit slower, basketball is a faster pace. Do you ever think that the life skills between sports is a little bit different?

[Jason Logan] (3:37 - 4:04)
Like you said, with the pace of football and basketball, right? How football is a lot slower and basketball is a lot faster. But in reality, the more you do things, especially with basketball, it slows down, right?

With muscle memory and all that. So even in the workforce, right? Because something's going so fast, guess what?

You've done it so many times, it just slows down. You're like, just take a breath, slow it down, slow it down.

[Shirin Mollah] (4:04 - 4:20)
Yeah. I never saw it that way, whereas, because I never played basketball, I played field hockey. It is fast, but I think it's more in between of basketball and football.

But I've always thought the difference, even watching it, is just such a different experience.

[Jason Logan] (4:21 - 4:23)
Yeah. But when you're playing football, it seems like it's going like that.

[Shirin Mollah] (4:23 - 4:32)
Yeah, yeah, exactly. Do you see your team as a part of a bigger pathway, like helping players go into college sports, coaching, or even sports media?

[Jason Logan] (4:32 - 5:30)
I see them being successful, even if it's not sports related. So at the school that I coach at, it's academic first, and then it's sports. So I know that the academics will be there.

For me, it's, OK, I know you're going to have the grades, and I know you're going to be smart, but are you going to work for it when things are hard? So I teach them that I'm not just going to hand you a starting spot. You might not get your starting spot until junior year.

So it's all about, you need to work towards things. So you put in the time, and you get rewarded. So I just teach them how to make sure the little things, being on time, communication, that's all related to the workforce, right?

[Shirin Mollah] (5:30 - 6:05)
Yeah. And also, when students get to college, they have to balance both academic and sports, but in a different way, right? So they also have to keep up a certain GPA to be able to play the sport.

And so preparing them on both sides is very important. So let's talk about the opportunities, how basketball fits into bigger life paths, and what's changing in the space. Is high school basketball still a good way for players to earn scholarships or create future opportunities, or is that path getting harder?

[Jason Logan] (6:06 - 7:08)
I think the path is getting harder, especially if you're looking for a scholarship, just because of the NL deals. It makes it hard as a college coach, because I have to see it from their perspective, that you would rather go after a junior college kid that only has two years, but they're going to be loyal and faithful to your program for two years, even if they're getting paid. But you have their loyalty for two years.

Yes, they can transfer for one year, but then you only have one year. So if you go after the freshman, the high school kid, and they're making $500,000 a year, or a million dollars, it's like, oh, Johnny didn't play, or Susan didn't play this year. Guess what?

Bye. I'm gone. Transfer portal, and I'm gone.

So it's like, there's no loyalty. It's like, I'm just there for the money, and I'm out. I can just go somewhere else and play.

[Shirin Mollah] (7:09 - 7:35)
I mean, it makes it challenging for also colleges to see loyalty and who they should be recruiting as well. And even for the high school players, it could also change, right? They're going to have to decipher how this recruiting process kind of works as well.

What's it like trying to stay in coaching as a career? Are there financial challenges?

[Jason Logan] (7:36 - 8:50)
Yes. I mean, in all levels, high school, college, pros, it's challenging. It's challenging, I think, especially relating.

You have to be able to relate as a coach. Every couple of years, things just change, and you have to keep up with the times. It's getting to always know the kids that you're recruiting, getting to know their families, getting to know the music that's out, because these kids, these athletes are always on the internet learning this, learning that, and you hear something, and you're like, what?

So it is very challenging. And I think if you have the school that is behind you and they care about you as a coach and that you're building a program and not really worried about, yes, you're going to worry about wins and losses, but as long as a program, it's a good program and these kids are graduating, especially in college, that I think that's a win.

[Shirin Mollah] (8:51 - 8:57)
Have you talked to your high school players about NIL, name, image, like?

[Jason Logan] (9:00 - 9:36)
So, my high school is up and coming, meaning that, yes, my program has been successful, but we are still a small private school. And I think that opportunity will come down the road, but as of right now, I have not, but I have had girls go to Division III, NAIA, but I think it's coming, as long as the program is going up.

[Shirin Mollah] (9:37 - 9:53)
So do you talk to them about the different divisions and, you know, this is an economics place here, this is an economics podcast. So, do you talk about the divisions because their scholarships are going to be different?

[Jason Logan] (9:54 - 10:54)
Yes, I talk about, during college, I talk about NAIA, Division III, Division II, Division I, and especially, I mean, during college, they don't give scholarships, but the other schools, it's, I always tell parents, I tell the kids this, that it doesn't matter if it's NAIA, Division III, Division II, that it'll be nice for you to go and play and have a full ride, right? Get your school paid for, still be part of the team, especially if you are a person that needs a schedule and a strict schedule that, okay, that I need to do X, Y, and Z and still have time to do my work, so it's just structure. That was like me, like I always needed structure, like I don't think I would have graduated if I didn't play sports, so.

[Shirin Mollah] (10:55 - 11:23)
I do agree about the sports. I played sports in high school as well, and I feel like that really motivated me in school, and, you know, I still run, I play flag football, and there's just something that just motivates you and keeps you on task. I do have a question on Katelyn Clark.

Have you seen, how long have you been coaching high school basketball?

[Jason Logan] (11:23 - 11:25)
Going on six years.

[Shirin Mollah] (11:25 - 11:35)
Six years? So you've seen the changes. What do you guys see in your high school with any changes there?

So it's an all-girls school.

[Jason Logan] (11:35 - 11:36)
All-girls school, yeah.

[Shirin Mollah] (11:36 - 11:41)
This is a very great example. Or do you see anything that's maybe outside as well?

[Jason Logan] (11:41 - 12:20)
Yeah, but just kind of like speaking on Katelyn Clark, like I think like the game is changing, meaning that it's more of like threes and like layups, because that's what she did, like threes and layups, and every girl is like, Katelyn Clark? Like three after three, or go to the rim. So I have seen a change in the game of basketball, but I always have to remind them of the fundamentals, and like everyone cannot shoot the three.

[Shirin Mollah] (12:21 - 12:49)
I think that's a good perspective, because I usually look at the superstar effect in economics. So superstar effect, how is it affecting the WNBA? How did it affect the college sports for women and the impact of her being there?

And it could be for any superstar effect, Lionel Messi coming to enter Miami, but you're bringing the perspective of how the game changed, and what kinds of plays they're going to.

[Jason Logan] (12:49 - 12:59)
Yeah, but even with like the economic part, so I think you saw this, like Katelyn Clark, when she went to WNBA, the salary went up, right?

[Shirin Mollah] (12:59 - 13:00)
Yeah.

[Jason Logan] (13:00 - 13:06)
So the salary went up, and then they started having like private jets now, instead of flying commercial.

[Shirin Mollah] (13:07 - 13:32)
I mean, that's going to be going up more, because we also have to look at viewership attendance, and all of these like ticket sales, and that's the part of the economics behind it. So beyond the players, sports affect whole communities, and I'd like to hear about what you've seen at the local level. What impact does high school basketball have on your community?

[Jason Logan] (13:34 - 14:47)
I think this is like with any sports program, like community-wise, if you're winning, your community is going to be behind you, right? So I think especially when you're winning, that's the time to go out and branch out and talk about your program with these communities, and try to build. And I don't want to say like have a pipeline.

Well, yeah, I guess a pipeline, especially with the middle school, with recruiting. Because for me, I would love to see public kids come to the private institution and be in a smaller classroom. Some kids just probably just need that, but just can't afford it, right?

So just kind of being in that public school, it's like there's 30 kids in a classroom. And yes, you can have instructional aid, this and that. But in the private school, your biggest classroom might be 15, maybe 20.

So I think just talking about our programs would help our community out a lot more.

[Shirin Mollah] (14:48 - 14:52)
Have you seen basketball change anyone's life?

[Jason Logan] (14:56 - 15:46)
Yes, especially in my program. I will never forget this one girl that I had to kick off the team just because she was having some issues at home and also having some issues with the team. And I think it was just best for her to part ways.

And I think that was the best thing that ever happened to her because I ran into her recent basketball game, and she was telling me all these exciting things she's doing at UCLA. And I'm sitting there like, oh, God, like, really? You?

So I just didn't want to go into more details. But she's doing amazing things for UCLA right now.

[Shirin Mollah] (15:47 - 15:53)
A lot of studies show youth sports lead to better outcomes in school and life. Have you seen that happen with your players?

[Jason Logan] (15:55 - 16:34)
Yeah, with sports in general, especially at the school that I am at right now, it's you just see the growth in the kids just with the confidence, the way they carry themselves, the way they treat their teammates. But yes, that's the beauty of it because you get someone as a freshman that is shy, timid, and then by their junior year, they're very outspoken, outgoing. And you're like, dang, I did my job.

[Shirin Mollah] (16:36 - 17:14)
It's nice when they have a team and even if they're introverted, they're forced to communicate for the game, not just communicating for regular talk. It's about the game. They have to say, oh, you need to go to this position or that position.

And it builds more confidence to speak up. You're not just a coach. You're a mentor.

Let's talk about some of your leadership skills and what you've done through your director position at Logan Basketball Academy. So what's the purpose behind this academy? What do you want girls and young women to get out of this?

[Jason Logan] (17:15 - 18:28)
Yeah, so this is my second year at running Logan Basketball Academy. We are located at LACC College. So Los Angeles City College.

So my purpose is to have a strong community and to make sure these kids are comfortable playing basketball and be able to showcase their skills on a bigger stage. We have opportunities to go to San Diego. We have opportunities to go to Vegas.

We also have local tournaments. So it's the kids that I get is usually the underdogs, right? The kids, they're not the biggest, not the fastest, not the strongest.

So it's kids that don't get the opportunities with their high school teams, but they have opportunity to play for me and get better. And when they go back to their high schools or middle schools, it's like, oh, okay, I can play. I can make the team.

So the big thing for me is like building their confidence up.

[Shirin Mollah] (18:28 - 18:46)
So you're creating a supportive environment for them to be able to be prepared for these high school teams or middle school teams. And they also get the, do they get the opportunity to travel for tournaments and being on a team with others from outside of their middle school or high school?

[Jason Logan] (18:46 - 19:09)
Yeah. So that's the beauty of it. So it's kids from all over.

It's kids from this school, that school. So trying to connect them together and being part of a team and just being one, that takes some work and some leadership. So that's building that teamwork and that discipline and that trust.

[Shirin Mollah] (19:11 - 19:15)
Outside of coaching games, how do you help guide your players in life?

[Jason Logan] (19:15 - 19:54)
Outside of coaching, it's like I always teach them that family. Family is important, right? So if you're going through something, that means we're all going through something.

So if it's 10 in the morning, 12 o'clock at night, it's like I would love for you just to kind of reach out and say, hey, I'm dealing with something. I need some advice or whatever, and I will be there. Your teammates that you play with will always be there.

Just know that just because you left the program, you're going to still be part of that program.

[Shirin Mollah] (19:56 - 19:59)
Do your players ever talk about coaching or working in the sports industry?

[Jason Logan] (20:02 - 20:23)
That's a funny question. They always say like, coach, I don't know how you do it, like being around high school girls and like getting us to listen. They used to say like, oh, we're so chatty, like how do you get us to just be on the same page?

And they're like, I could never do this. This doesn't excite me at all.

[Shirin Mollah] (20:25 - 20:30)
Are there enough women coaching in youth sports? What would help more women stay in the game?

[Jason Logan] (20:30 - 21:15)
But I think it comes down to just kind of stepping out of the box. I mean, coaching is hard. I mean, because you're leading a group of kids, teenagers, and it's like everyone's depending on you to get them wins or build trust, build character, even getting them to go to college.

That's a lot of pressure, right? And then there's pressure from the parents while my daughter's son isn't playing. So sometimes it's just like I'd rather step back and maybe not be the head coach and maybe be the assistant.

[Shirin Mollah] (21:16 - 21:33)
If we zoom out, there's still a lot of change in how youth sports are funded and supported. If you could redesign how youth basketball works from a funding to support, what would you change? And what kind of investment do you think schools, businesses, or donors would make a biggest difference for basketball players?

[Jason Logan] (21:35 - 22:55)
I think the big thing would be just kind of invest in your time. Yes, money can do a lot of things, but I think invest in your time and invest in your knowledge and talk about how important youth sports are or is and talk about how much it builds for health and fitness, the characters. There's so much that comes from being part of a team and being part of a group.

So I just feel like maybe marketing that instead of being a money grabber, right? Because a lot of people start organizations and they maybe have someone that played Division I and they'll say like, hey, come train with such and such or be part of this organization because of the name and you're paying 500 bucks and you're not even getting anything out of it. It's just the director or the coaches are just money grabbing.

So I think marketing should be better and more focused on the kids and how beneficial it is.

[Shirin Mollah] (22:55 - 23:41)
I think that the story here is that athletes sometimes bring up the case of how they started at a young age and the importance of starting any sport at a young age could lead to something in the future. And I feel like the marketing side never really brings that in. They don't say like the impact of playing a sport at such a young age could lead to so many opportunities in the future.

And I think that's a big part of where youth sports should be marketed. What do you wish leaders or decision makers understood about why sports matter? It could be from a health perspective or just a professional perspective as well.

[Jason Logan] (23:41 - 24:48)
Yeah, I mean, I can talk about this all day why sports matter. I think more people should probably tell their stories about why sports matter just because for me, it's like every stage of my life, it was like something drastic happened. So like growing up, dad passing, trying to finish my college career, my mom passing.

So if it wasn't for my teammates and my coaches, I don't think I would have been here or graduated high school, graduated college. I think more people should tell their stories because you never know who you're going to impact or reach out or someone could just reach out to you and you can relate to them and be like, oh, I've gone through this. So he got through this.

So maybe I can reach out to this person. So just telling your story and being comfortable telling your story is huge.

[Shirin Mollah] (24:49 - 24:53)
Yeah. So what's one thing you hope every player takes with them after being a part of your team?

[Jason Logan] (24:54 - 25:29)
The big thing is family. Family is a big thing for me. So just knowing that if you have your family behind you, it doesn't matter if it's your family that you grew up with or connections that you made, sports or school, they are going to have your back.

So if you're going through something, reach out to your family that you've gone through two years, four years with.

[Shirin Mollah] (25:30 - 26:03)
Thank you so much, Jason. And it's been a pleasure having you here. And I'm very grateful to have you on my flag football team as well and meeting you and getting to know your story as a high school basketball coach.

Thank you so much. Until next time, teammates. I'm Shereen Mola, and this is a Sports Economist.

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