The college football season is upon us. The hopes and aspirations of all the schools’ football faithful are at a feverish pitch. Just about everybody still has a chance to have a great year.
As the season progresses, some of the very best teams will rise above and win most (or even all) of their games. Most of the teams won’t fare that well, winning half or less of their games. A small minority of teams will lose most or all of their games. My alma mater, Virginia Tech, had the good fortune to win most of their games for many years but went 8-5 last year. This year, they could go either way.
A few 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 graduate at the time, summed up the Terps’ position at the beginning of that season: “They really stink.” On their way to a 2-10 season, the Terps had just been trashed by my Virginia Tech Hokies by 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 was so bad.
Several weeks later I found myself struggling along with the rest of the country with 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 confined 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.
We’ve been through some tough times recently, 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
Thank you Ro,
I learned this lesson a few years back from none other than my youngest son, Jake. You see he wanted to play Ice Hockey when he entered High School despite the fact he didn’t know how to skate; nor had the team never ever won a game. That did not stop him. He practiced all summer, learned to skate and got on the team.
During his freshman and sophomore years not a single game was won. Blake continued their four year losing streak with 63 loses and 3 ties. But my son and his team never gave up, always practiced hard, played harder, and were totally committed. They rejoiced in the almost wins and vowed to win the next game. They were tenacious.
Entering in his junior year after a summer of coaching, practice, and pick up games, they won their first game, the season opener 6-1. We all rejoiced and the Coach commented in the paper, “You thought they had won the Stanley Cup”. That year they had renew determination and won 3 additional games including the final game of the season.
His senior year the boys and coaches had a fierce determination and won their first three games. Although the season ended with 6 wins and 5 loses (many very close) every one of them came out a winner because of their hard work, determination, pride in themselves and their team.
As you wrote, “Don’t become confined by wins and losses. You will miss some of the most important parts of life if you do.” Well these boys were not confined and didn’t miss out.
They taught us this lesson well.
Ellen Mehallick