Moments of Truth

Two in particular stand out and offer much needed perspective in an often chaotic, confusing world.

 

The first came early this past week when a year-old press-conference rant by University of Connecticut women’s coach Geno Auriemma surfaced on social media and quickly went viral (as in literally millions and millions of views).

 

Auriemma has been supremely successful. Heading into this weekend’s Final Four, the Huskies are 35-0 and odds-on favorites to win their fifth consecutive NCAA title and 12^th during Auriemma’s tenure, which began in 1985.

 

Following his squad’s national semifinal victory over Oregon April 3, 2016, Ariemma fielded a question about his players’ bench demeanor, specifically their enthusiasm and all-for-one, one-for-all approach to the game.

 

Do you recruit passionate, team-first players? he was asked. Or do you demand that attitude? Or does the culture propagate it?

 

He responded that he’s old school. He said that recruiting athletes who look beyond themselves has become more difficult. He added that bad examples of pretentiousness and showmanship tell impressionable youngsters that their needs are greater than the needs of the team. Then he spoke of the importance of positive body language by players in action and on the bench and, by so doing, conveyed a lesson that should resonate with anyone who teaches or coaches or leads, the level or venue notwithstanding.

“I'd rather lose than watch kids play the way some kids play," Auriemma said in the interview. "…they're always thinking about themselves. Me, me, me, me. I didn't score, so why should I be happy? I'm not getting enough minutes. Why should I be happy? That's the world we live in today, unfortunately.”

Though we’re certainly not perfect, a team-above-self mentality have been part of Collegiate’s culture, athletic and otherwise, since the school was founded in 1915.

“You preach that everybody’s in the game whether you’re on the bench or on the court,” said Charlie McFall, who served long stints as football and baseball coach as well as athletic director during his 43-year career at Collegiate. “You have to be engaged.”

He was speaking, of course, both literally and figuratively.

“It’s about the team,” he continued. “It’s not about the individual. It’s representing not just yourself but your team, your school, your parents. Everybody. We hope that message gets across to everybody.”

The second example of what’s right in a world where much seems so wrong came almost spontaneously in the aftermath of the South Carolina men’s basketball team’s resounding 70-50 victory over Baylor in the Sweet 16. The Gamecocks play with confidence and swagger. Their improbable ascension to the Final Four is the Cinderella story of the NCAA tournament. Never has a South Carolina men’s team advanced that far.

Their victory was an upset, a bracket buster. As the final horn sounded, delirium reigned. As the Gamecocks began to celebrate, though, assistant coach Perry Clark stopped them in their tracks. A moment later, players and coaches from both benches huddled together, heads bowed. Someone offered a quiet prayer, heard only by those who moments earlier were locked in a frenetically played athletic competition with pride, prestige, and money at stake.

“It’s a sign of humility and grace and awareness of the people on the other side of the court,” said Alex Peavey, Collegiate’s Upper School counselor and boys varsity basketball coach from 2004 through 2016. “You fight so hard to win, but so did the other guy. To acknowledge that in that moment is to acknowledge that no individual is bigger than the game, bigger than the team, bigger than his opponent.

“So much in sports is about beating the other guy. In that moment, the celebration was first acknowledging the other guy, showing care for the other guy, then celebrating with your teammates. You always hear, ‘Act like you’ve been there before.’ It’s not about not having fun. It’s about respect for yourself, respect for your teammates, respect for your opponent. That’s a real accomplishment.”
      -- Weldon Bradshaw