We wanted to get to know those who lead the clubs or teams in D1. Each responded with a slightly special Proust Questionnaire
Let’s start with Quentin Becquey, Manager of the Rouen Huskies, 2024 French Championship winners
The essential virtue of a good club President/Manager
Courage and generosity. Having the courage to trust when the margin for error is near 0 and giving without counting to his players.
The main trait of my character as a leader
Ambitious. I want the best for my players and I will do everything to achieve it.
The quality I prefer in a coach
Attentive. A coach who is capable of seeing without being shown.
The quality I prefer in a player
The gift of self. A player capable of giving 100% whether to make an extraordinary out or lay down a sacrifice bunt with the same intensity.
My main flaw as a manager
Addicted. I bother a lot of people because I always feel like something is missing.
My greatest strength in team management
Anticipate. With the help of the staff, we always come up with several plans. Whether in training or in the game.
My favorite moment in a sports season
Mid-season. You can start to see the final shape of the end-of-season team. It’s also an important moment on the choices made during the preparation and the beginning of the season.
My ultimate dream for the club
A professional sports complex like in Hoofddorp in the Netherlands. Where we could have the D1, D2, softball, and children all playing at the same time!
What would be my greatest failure as a president/manager?
Not being able to keep the flame alive in my players. If they no longer want to, then I have failed.
The ritual or tradition of the club that I like the most
The winning mentality. This tradition is true on the field but it is even more so in the stands. That’s why we hate losing. Being able to celebrate with the fans, the family, the former players, the directors is priceless!
My favorite quote on team management or sports
« The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls this chaos, both his own and the enemy’s. » General Napoleon Bonaparte
The coach or manager I would have liked to inspire me
August « Augie » Garrido, former manager of the Texas Longhorns in NCAA D1. Died in 2018, I never had the chance to meet him but I greatly admire his approach to the game and the importance of the mental aspect on performance.
My greatest pride as a manager
Having been able to guide the D1 and the 18U to a new title in 2024.
What I hate the most about managing a club
The constraints related to infrastructure. This is part of our reality, but I so desire that everyone can train all the time but 10 sections for 1 field « partially » lit is complicated and there are always disappointed people. Don’t get me wrong, I am very proud of our club’s infrastructure. I am just reminding you that I dream of an American-style complex with 4-5 fields.
The biggest mistake a manager can make according to me
The biggest mistake is not communicating. Most problems often start with a decision or action made without seeking an outside opinion. This is valid everywhere, on the field or off, in everyday life. Without communication, there is a tendency for things to get worse.
The natural talent I would like to have as a leader
A deeper voice.
My ideal vision of the club in 10 years
European Champions BECC
My state of mind at the dawn of a new season
Impatient. The winter preparation was tough, we broke temperature records. We can’t wait to get back into the fight!
The mistake that inspires the most indulgence in me from a player or a coach
Baseball is a very cruel sport, so if the player or coach did what they did with the right intensity or in the right state of mind, there’s no need to add to it.
My motto as a president/manager
« Fortune favors the bold » motto of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (1e RPIMa).
