The college football season is upon us, with all the strange limits and adaptations that we’ve come to expect from everything in 2020. But in spite of it all, the hopes and aspirations of all the schools’ football faithful are still building to a feverish pitch. Everybody still has a chance to have a great year (on the field, anyway).
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. Of course, I always hope that my alma mater, Virginia Tech, will fall into the “best” category this year.
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 restaurant wearing a bright red University of Maryland sweatshirt and baseball cap. My daughter, a recent Maryland graduate at the time, neatly 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, 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