The college football season is upon us. Before a season starts, everybody has a chance. The hopes of each team’s faithful fans get raised to a fever pitch as they imagine their team’s possible success.
As the season progresses, some of the very best teams rise above and win most (or even all) of their games. Most of the teams don’t fare that well, winning half or less of their games. A small minority of teams lose most or all of their games. My alma mater, Virginia Tech, has had the good fortune to win most of their games for many years now. This past season marked their 7th consecutive season with 10 or more wins, the longest such current winning-streak in 1-A football. I don’t want to jinx their current season by making specific predictions, so I’ll just say that they are looking pretty good again this year.
One day during football season two years ago I was going through my Sunday morning ritual – reading the sports page, listening to sports talk radio, and enjoying a great cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee – when I noticed a young lady walking into the store wearing a bright red University of Maryland sweatshirt and baseball cap. My daughter, a recent Maryland grad, summed up the Terps’ position at the time: “They really stink.” On their way to a 2-10 season, the Terps had just been trashed by my Virginia Tech Hokies by over 30 points. I laughed to myself – this girl just doesn’t get it. She should be embarrassed to wear the colors of a school whose team is so bad.
Several weeks later I found myself struggling along with the rest of the country in the most difficult economic circumstances in decades, losing more battles than I was winning. I found myself withdrawing from my friends and associates, embarrassed that my production wasn’t up to its usual level. Then I thought of that young lady, wearing the colors of a losing team, and wearing them proudly. It hit me that she was right, and I was the fool.
Be proud of your brand at all times. Don’t become defined only by wins and losses. You will miss some of the most important parts of life if you do. There are few things in life that are certain, but one thing I can guarantee – if you live life long enough, it will humble you.
These are tough times, but we have to remember that nothing is forever. This too will change, and we’ll be back to “seashells and balloons” again. Whenever I get too down, I always remind myself that I’ve been 10-0, and I’ve been 0-10, and somehow I’ve gotten through all of it.
Have a great weekend, and be true to your school! (Go Hokies!)
-Ro