There are little eyes upon you and they're watching night and day; There are little eyes that quickly take in every word you say; There are little hands all eager to do everything you do. And a little girl that's dreaming of the day she'll be like you. You're the little girl's idol, you're the wisest of the wise; In her little mind about you no suspicions ever rise. She believes you devoutly, holds that all you say and do. She will say and do in you way when she's grown up like you. Oh … [Read more...]
In The Arena
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, … [Read more...]
If
Poem by Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If … [Read more...]
The Great Competitor
Beyond the winning and the goal,Beyond the glory and the fame,He feels a flame within his soul,Born of the spirit of the game. And where the barriers may wait,Built by the opposing gods,He finds a thrill in bucking fateAnd riding down the endless odds. Where others wither in the fire,Or fall below some raw mishap,Where others lag behind and tire,Or break beneath the handicap,He finds a new and deeper thrillTo take him on the uphill spin,Because the test is greater stillAnd something he can … [Read more...]
The Definite Dozen
To Stay at Tennessee, you have to be: * Responsible * Respectable * Loyal * Honest To Perform at Tennessee, you have to: * Work Hard * Play Smart * Put the Team Before Yourself * Have a Winning Attitude To Be Successful at Tennessee you have to: * Be Coachable * Accept Your Role * Handle Success and Failure * Be a Competitor "We require each member of our Lady Vol basketball team to know our 'Definite Dozen' and commit to honoring each one. If you will use this 'Definite Dozen' as … [Read more...]
Dear Coach
from the book "The Coach" by Ralph J. Sabock Dear Coach, We hardly know each other, and yet very shortly we will have quite a lot in common, namely, my son Mike. Now that your season is about to begin, we are "loaning" you one of the greatest possessions the Good Lord has seen fit to give us - our son, and make no mistake about it, coach, during these next few months he is yours! To his mother and me he is still a little boy in many respects, but of course we wouldn't dare let him … [Read more...]
Coach’s Prayer
Dear Lord, guide me as I try to coach this team; to build each player's character and boost their self-esteem. May I keep an even temper and remember it's just a game. Let me not have favorite players, but treat them all the same. Grant me patience with them as I praise them or correct, remembering that I must work to earn each one's respect. Lord, whether we may win or lose may all who are watching see the kind of coach at every game that you would have me be. Amen … [Read more...]
Faith
A story by Roy Campanella, former Major League Catcher who was paralyzed in a 1958 automobile accident "We're a rugged breed, us quads. If we weren't, we wouldn't be around today. Yes, we're a rugged breed; in many ways, we've been blessed with a savvy and spirit that isn't given to everybody. And let me say that this refusal of total or full acceptance of one's disability all hooks up with one thing -- faith, an almost divine faith. Down in the reception room of the … [Read more...]
Coach Poem
It's not about the whistle or the uniform you wear. It's more about the sportsmanship and values that you share. It's stressing skills and teamwork over victory and fame. Why coach? It's for the players -- and because you love the game. ~ seen on back of Hallmark Keepsake ornament box … [Read more...]
The Lion and Gazelle
Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up and knows that it will have to outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. And, every morning in Africa a lion wakes up and knows that it will have to outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. So, in Africa, it doesn't matter if you are the lion or the gazelle. When that sun comes up, you had better be running. … [Read more...]