Written by Be something you’re not … so easy, right? (Hopefully obvious sarcasm)
Any serious athlete has experienced this; you step up to a challenge, evolve as a competitor, overcome a personal barrier, or just (let’s be frank) kick your opponent’s butt. (I wanted to use a different word for “butt”)
Athletes evolve, whether they’re The Leader, The Supporter, or The Soldier within a Team. A true leader steps up to command his/her team, a true supporter knows when somebody needs help and answers the call for help, and a true soldier fights the battles that others can’t fight for themselves. Basically, they step up to the challenge and be something they are not … or something they weren’t before that moment.
This is an altruism in life also as in athletics; one of my good friends and favorite coaches, Russell Peterson, of Miami University, weighed in on this topic. Coach Peterson was and still is a true mentor of mine who pulled me through what I thought was the end of my athletic career. He lit the way to being something I didn’t know I was, and that kind of friendship is remarkable. His insight is truly profound to me.
As Russ says, “I became a man when I was 13 … my father died when I was in 7th grade. We didn’t have a lot of money, and my family was in trouble – I knew that I needed to step up.” Eventually, Russ was deemed to be, as he puts it, “recruitable” in Track and Field, and became an All-American and decorated part of Iowa’s Track and Field Team. He wasn’t sure that he could accomplish such a feat, but he rose to the challenge.
In answering my main question (Russ, what is your opinion on this title?), he replied, “If I didn’t win my State title my Junior year of High School, I never would’ve been who I am … and here I am with a beautiful history, loving family, and great friends – life is truly amazing, and it’s because I dared to be something I wasn’t.” Russ embodies what a fruitful Culture is in Sports. One of the coolest things he’s ever said to me is, “Being delusional actually creates success … you have to improvise, and be something you aren’t at that moment.” Essentially – dream, and work to become your dream.
Russ and I have too many stories to be shared in one article, but all those associated with this article will understand this, “Take a deep breath.” (And trust me, it wasn’t because he was trying to calm us down during competition … the real story is way funnier … YAHTZEE (inside joke)). Coach Peterson helped us to become something we weren’t, and that is a debt we could never repay.
Readers, as always, Cheers to Mentors, Friends, and Family but most importantly, Cheers to spreading a positive message to all athletes. Be a role model for others, help them, and make them better.
From Russ and I, Cheers to Sports.
Featured Above: Coach Russ Peterson, beloved friend, Coach, Husband, and Father