Written by “Greatness, no matter how brief, stays with a man.” (A quote from the great actor Gene Hackman at the end of the superb Sport drama The Replacements, yeah I am indeed “fanboying” that performance)
But what is greatness? Is it a Division-1 athlete who excels and wins a National title? Is greatness a professional athlete who wins the World Championship meet? Is greatness a high school athlete trying to earn a scholarship? Or, is greatness a former athlete (now Coach) who focuses on the importance of truly understanding their athletes?
Answer – all of the above. (And so many more scenarios)
My good friend Zack McBride and I were having a Zoom conversation and just “shooting the …” fill in the blank. (Come on, he’s my best friend, we can use that terminology) And he truly impressed on me what Sport Culture means for all aforementioned possibilities; it doesn’t exist unless you’re empathetic.
As Coach McBride puts it, “The deadliest trap for a Coach is not empathizing with their athlete … it’s so easy to fall into the routine of thinking as such – oh it’s just a hot headed collegiate athlete (or) it’s just a hot headed high school athlete … but to that athlete … it’s everything at that moment. That’s how you understand coaching. You need to do your job and help them, and for me … I’m always going to empathize with that person.”
Guys and gals, Coaching needs more than trying to lead a horse (or a person) to water, it requires that you teach the horse (or the person) that it’s water in the first place. (Yeah, that is 100% Zack, I just can’t take credit for something so profound) Doing so creates certainty and confidence because an athlete knows what they’re really doing.
Zack says, “Watch them with intention; if they’re in trouble during a workout, fix it, if they’re in trouble mentally, fix it. That’s our job. We take care of them.” Coaches, athletes, and people everywhere, that is not only Sport Culture, that’s humanity. Zack is in the office early every day learning about his athletes and figuring out how to take care of them.
I’m proud of my best buddy every day for his work ethic. Sport Culture creates success, altruistic friendship, and greatness. (Come on, just empathize people)
From Zack and I, as always, Cheers to Sports. (And Greatness of our Athletes)
Featured Above: Head Coach Zack McBride of Limestone University