March 2006 Blog - MARCH MADNESS
March 2006 is a special month for me as it marks
the official release of the Growing Field series across the nation. This
month, also crossing the nation, is an event receiving juuust a
bit more public attention, the NCAA college basketball tournament. Welcome
to March Madness!
While many focus on the players and their incredible talent, I
tend to focus on the coaches and their role in developing that
talent in order to bring their team to the Dance, to Sweet Sixteen,
to the Final Four and to the National Championship.
The current excitement surrounding college basketball has me reflecting
on my experience in youth athletics as a child and the time my
father spent coaching me. It is there I learned many of the
life skills that I still carry with me today. I have always
been thankful for his time...and I am still grateful for his message.
My dad had a favorite quote he used every season.
"It is not whether you win or lose but how you play the game."
The sport he was coaching was just a vehicle to teach us the disciplines
associated with personal success. We were taught to hold
our heads high, sportsmanship, leadership, hustle, to commit to
excellence, and perseverance. Every practice and game was
an opportunity to take our best shot and to give our all. Yes...I
looooooved the game.
Today my father's message takes on even more meaning as I now
have the opportunity to coach my children (and others) on and off
the field. I love every season with them. For a few
months, a few times a week, and for a few hours at a time I get
the chance to share life skills with the young men and women playing
under my tutelage. If done right, beliefs will be taught
that will live in them long after the score board is turned off,
the final stats are compiled and the crowds have all gone home.
This week I had another magical sports moment. As a pilot
for United I was given the opportunity to fly the Florida Gators
to Indianapolis as they prepared to play UCLA in the NCAA collegiate
basketball championship game. What an opportunity to see
the team up close and personal. Coach Billy Donovan and
players Noah, Moss, Afflalo, Humphrey, Brewer...they were all there. Deplaning
the aircraft Coach Donovan let the press and alumni off the aircraft
and gathered just his players in the first class cabin to talk
with them. I stood outside the cockpit and strained to hear...
As each of you step off this aircraft...know today that you are
already a champion. There is no combination of numbers possible
on a scoreboard that can convince me otherwise.
At the beginning of this season I asked each of you for a championship
commitment. I asked each of you to commit yourselves to personal
excellence at all times...before every practice, every meeting
and every game. I asked you to make this commitment to yourself...to
your team mates...and to me. This commitment required you
not to be better than anybody else...only to be the best you could
possibly be. Each of you accepted this challenge which is
why we are here...and why each of you is already a champion.
Tonight, as you step onto the floor in front of the world, know
that you cannot be beat. You cannot be beat because tonight
is not about the score. It is about the character you chose
to develop inside of you that you can now carry with you for the
rest of your life.
Your character...your champion's commitment...can never be beaten
and never quits...regardless of points on a board, time left on
a clock, or situation in life.When you step off this airplane,
most importantly, know this...I am proud of each you for the young
men you have become. It
has been my privilege coaching you and my greatest honor to call
you "my team." I cannot think of any players
I would rather go in the game with tonight...than you. Tonight
slip on your jersey and be proud for the world to see your name
on the back. When the whistle blows every second removed
from the clock will be an opportunity to share with the world the
championship commitment inside each of you.
Let's go have some fun...
Each player stood and made their way off the aircraft. As
they did Coach Donovan shook their hand, hugged them and simply
said "Thanks champ."
It came as no surprise to me that evening as I watched Florida
dominate the UCLA Bruins to win the national championship or when
I heard the game commentator say, "It is amazing what friends,
team mates, or parents can accomplish when they work together."
As parents we all have the opportunity to coach and work with
our children in their most important season...the season of life! While
this season is short it is our job to lead them to their own Sweet
Sixteen and their own Dance. In preparation for their big
event your children, more than likely, will never hear a collegiate
or professional athletic pre-game speech. Instead, they will
need to hear it from you. It will be you that inspires them
to make their own champions commitment, you that believes in their
destiny, and up to you to conduct practice in a manner that prepares
them to leave the safety of the side line for the excitement of
the game.
The real championship game for your child is coming and that outcome
is being decided today...right now...this second. The season
has already begun. Make sure before it is over you teach
them critical life skills and of the importance of a personal commitment
to excellence.
Hurry coach! There are only so many practices left. Every
morning, every dinner, every time you tuck them in for the night
that game clock is removing precious time. When the last
second is taken away your parenting season will be over. Your
child will then walk off your sideline and into their own championship
game of life. It will then be your turn to deliver the championship
speech. I can hear you now...
Daughter...sweetheart...do you have just a couple of minutes before
you step out of this house on your way to college? Today
please know you have always been, and will always be, my champion. There
is nothing you can do to convince me otherwise. For eighteen
years I have enjoyed watching you practice for this day. I
watched with pride as you have worked on yourself, and your character,
and developed into a spectacular young woman. I hope you
know that any road you choose...any decision you make...you have
it in you to be successful. I am so proud of you and look
forward to watching all you will continue to become.
You will be successful in whatever you do because of all that
you are!
More importantly...understand that it has been my life's greatest
pleasure to call you my son. I am a better person for having
had the opportunity to work with you and am thankful you have been
a part of this family. I have known for eighteen years that
you are a champion...now the rest of the world will learn it as
well. Thank you for being such a valuable part of my life.
As your son or daughter stands to make their way into the arena
you can offer them yet another handshake and remind them that it
is not whether they win or lose... but about the integrity with
which they play the game. As you offer a final hug you can
simply say "Thanks champ."
Yes March Madness has begun. Flying the Florida Gators may
have all been part of my imagination but I do believe it would
have been a great speech. It is a speech I will continue
to practice today so it can be delivered effectively tomorrow.
This month I hope each of you will continue to take the time to
work with your team developing life skills that will create our
champions of tomorrow. I hope this month you will make your
own championship commitment and continue to be the best coach/parent
you can be. Your children will be thankful for your time
and for your message.
March Madness will always represent college basketball, the athletic
spirit and the honoring of a championship spirit. I hope for you,
however, it will also serve as a reminder that you too coach a
championship team. They are practicing with you right now
in preparation for their big game. They are standing on your
sideline with your family name across their back and preparing
for the whistle to blow...
Wrap your arms around them as they nervously ready themselves
to practice today and whisper..."I cannot think of another
person I would rather be with today...than you. Today is
not about the score...but about you and I sharing some time together
and working on our skills. I can see already the great things
you are becoming...now go out and take your best shot. Give
it your all...and most importantly go have fun!"
Yes I looooove this parenting game! But I must run now as
I have an important practice to run.
Until next month...may personal growth and a commitment to excellence
be your journey.
Best,
Mark
