Despite the rain and the raised stress and anxiety levels on campus (it is finals time), I'm feeling pretty calm and optimistic. I spent the weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina watching and identifying possible future Case women's soccer players. Our university and women's soccer program has generated a great deal of interest amongst talented high school student-athletes, rightfully so. Yet, that's not what has me feeling the most optimistic. Adding players to our program is very important, but it's even more critical what our current team members are contributing.
On my journey in to the office, I was reminded why I have so much faith in our current group. I drove past 2 of our players out for a run in the less than ideal weather and found 2 more stretching on the indoor track after a run and a lift. It reminds me of a story that Anson Dorrance (UNC coach, 2008 National Champions, 19th National Championship overall) tells regularly about Mia Hamm. She was the most prolific player on the North Carolina team (and in UNC history) and could have easily survived on her natural talent. However, Mia Hamm wanted to be her absolute best and made a committment to the pursuit of it. Anson recalls driving into work early one morning, passing a soccer field and seeing a girl, all alone, running sprints repeatedly. He was inspired to leave a note in the locker of that girl, Mia Hamm. His note read "The vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is looking." It's that committment, that desire, that discipline to do the work for one's goals when no one is there watching that will move our program forward, will make us better than we have been, and will create more memorable experiences for everyone.
Imagine the possibilities if we all gave that effort.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment