By: Bill Bosher
March Madness is upon us! The season has been long, but for
the strongest it is a "new season" where each time out is a victory or a long
bus ride home.
People enjoy winners, and they flock to the discount stores for
the shirts of their favorite teams whether or not they have ever had any
affiliation with them. In March Madness there are characteristics that
distinguish those who are winners and losers from those who are special.
My
wife recently commented to a college football coach, "remember that you are
training young men, not just athletes". His answer was "wow" …and he is one of
the special ones…despite his record.
Virginia is fortunate to have two truly
special college basketball coaches in the spotlight that illuminates March
Madness. Coach Bennett, Coach Smart, and their young men are true examples of
more than skills within the bounds of the court. They represent the values that
so often escape those who find themselves in the aura of success.
While both
teams play intense defenses, when did you last see these young people or their
coaches "lose it"? Oh, there has been much national discussion about the
frequency or infrequency of technical fouls because of language or abuse. These
teams are intense; however, they seem to have learned to control themselves.
Coach Bennett's five pillars are: humility, passion, unity, servant hood, and
thankfulness. After winning the ACC championship, he reminded his team not to
be put on a pedestal…but to remember and live by the five pillars. If coaches
Bennett and Smart never win another basketball game, they have established
themselves as champions…they have taught young men how to win the game of life.
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