Macomb County Cougars was founded by the late Michigan Hall of Fame Girls Coach Ved Green of Mount Clemens High and former high school teammates, Marvin Listenbee and Michael Fernandis in 1995. While Coach Green enjoyed many successful seasons with his teams at Mount Clemens High the off season was another story. In the off season Coach Green found himself losing players to teen pregnancy, and a loss of interest. Determined not to lose another girl to the streets, Coach Green with the help of his friends formed the Macomb County Cougars.
The Cougars initially started out being a local recreation team comprised of girls from newly opened Dakota High school and Mount Clemens High school with the intent to keep them busy and focused on a common goal, while developing the fundamentals of basketball, with much success what Coach Green would soon discover was there was a need and big demand for this type of service in the summer throughout the local counties and school districts.
Armed with something for the young women to be apart of in the off season Green was able to drastically reduce the negativity that surrounded his girls basketball program in Mount Clemens into a power house as well as neighboring schools with girls going on to play at schools like Michigan State, Duke, LSU, and Wake Forest just to name a few. With such tremendous success, Coach Mike Fernandis and Marvin Listenbee with the help of Coach Green implemented the boys program the following year. From the inaugural teams the Macomb County Cougars has helped develop over hundreds of kids and over 200 have moved on to gained athletic scholarships.
Our Core Values
Accountability
Our approach centers on cultivating each player's talents and aspirations the old fashion way, REP by REP. By prioritizing individual growth, fostering positive attitudes, honing leadership abilities, and fostering teamwork, we establish an accountability framework involving the player, parent, and coach.
Transferable Performance
Our programs have substance - they are not coach-driven, they're Cougars-driven with core fundamental teachings to help develop the entire player, so they understand how to make the right reads in game-like scenarios. Being consistent and developing continuity amongst the teams and players translates into consistent, transferable performance.
No Political Agenda
In every team we form, we prioritize open discussion, exploration, evaluation, and practical application, all underpinned by respect, integrity, and transparency. It's noteworthy that 90% of our athletes are returning players with two or more years in our program.
Our Core Values
I hereby pledge to provide positive support and encouragement for my athlete and coaches in the Macomb County Cougars Program, by following these ethical policies.
- I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all athletes, coaches and officials at every game, practice and special event.
- I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my athlete ahead of a personal desire to win.
- I will insist that my athlete play in a safe and healthy environment.
- I will support coaches and officials working with my athlete, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience.
- I will demand a sports environment for my athlete that is free of drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all Cougars events, games, practices or gatherings.
- I will remember that the game is for youth – not adults.
- I will do my very best to make this experience fun for my athlete and other participants.
- I will, along with my athlete, treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, ability.