On March 11th I met with the Superintendent of our school district to discuss the likelihood of indefinitely postponing the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation (WWF) Kid's Qualifier that was scheduled to take place at our high school on March 20-21. Decisions were being made rapidly that week and information was changing by the minute. The term "social distancing" hadn't been fully understood yet and the "flattening the curve" conversation was in its infancy. Our school administration was hesitant to pull the trigger on an event that was over a week away because they had more pressing issues with events that immediate weekend. Addressing future events wasn't on the table. My dad (chairman of the WWF) agreed with administration that it would soon be the right decision to postpone in spite of the pressure from other board members who were pushing for the events to proceed.
Soon after that meeting, the NCAA announced that they were canceling the NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships. Then came the Final Four basketball tournament and the NCAA DI NCAA Wrestling Championships that were set to take place at US Bank Stadium only 35 minutes away from. The NBA, MLB and NCAA were all on hold. Of course, the WWF State Tournament series was postponed as were all other "large gatherings," which included youth sports of all types.
That's where we still are today.
So, are we ready to have a conversation about the state of youth sports yet? As you know, I'm full of opinions on this subject. I'm actually shocked that there hasn't been an uprising of "soccer moms" and "hockey dads" (I'm not singling out any sports...don't miss the point). Our entire economy has been affected and youth sports is big business in the United States. There are also a lot of families who don't have much else outside of their sports communities.
Thankfully, many of the organizations and businesses who make a living off youth sports seem to have carried a healthy perspective with this shut-down. This has served their members well because there's no other option. They've been creative in reaching their athletes in various ways and a lot of great online content has become available. In fact, it will likely usher in new opportunities for coaches and clubs to be involved with athletes.
It was time for our sports culture to hit the "pause" button and recognize that there is more to life than youth trophies and games. It took a nationwide shut-down, though, because it wasn't going to happen on its own. Parents have been forced to take a break from hustling from one practice to the next. They would not have chosen to. It's given kids the opportunity to get to bed a decent time. Parents wouldn't have prioritized that. In spite of this, there really haven't been status updates with rants about missing out on opportunities for their children to reach the next level or catch that elusive college scholarship or other misguided and uniformed motivations for the craziness.
That's good, right?
How long are we going to be okay with this, though? Is this opening up a change to status quo? Is the hectic scheduling and over-emphasizing youth games gone? Will parents value down time for their children?
Or are youth organizations chomping at the bit to get the green light to do it all over again? Will parents incorrectly assume that they've missed out and push hard to make-up for lost time? Will organizations double down and increase their reach? Are sports going to be forced to operate in other seasons, essentially eliminating "seasons" all together?
For several years, I've said that we are a part of a youth sports system that is broken. It replaces development with short cuts to success at young ages. Our youth athletes are getting too much, too soon. And, frankly, the lives of several families revolve around the sports calendar of their elementary aged children. As we've seen, sports can be taken from us at a moments notice for many reasons. Our identity should never be sports.
Here's your opportunity people. This is when you can make things right. Or, at least, consider what is right.
Are leaders looking at this shut down as a possible avenue to improve our product? Are parents willing to "put their foot down" and resist the unreasonable demands of their children's involvement? Once and for all, are we willing to do what is best for children or will we continue doing what parents want?
What do you think?
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
Victory: Connecting the Future and the Past
The word is out. We're re-opening Victory School of Wrestling this summer and we're really excited about the future. These are strange times in the lives of everyone in the US, and we're not minimizing the severity of our current scenario, however, we're optimistic about what's ahead for us while serving the wrestling community once again.
We've shared pictures on social media of the progress that's taking place at our new location at 660 N. Main St. in River Falls. Locals know it as the "Roen Building," which housed Roen Ford dealership and, most recently, Bernard's Auto. Patrick Traynor purchased the building and has begun remodeling it. We're grateful for the opportunity to share the space with his wife's eye clinic.
This week, Derek Miller, Jens and Jon Lantz and myself represented Victory and we did our part in some crucial demolition to prepare for the next steps. In the process, Derek's dedication was put to the test and he passed. With a front mounted jack hammer, he went to work on a small brick corner room that ended up being nothing short of a "bomb shelter." He also attacked a small set of stairs.
In those moments of struggle, Victory 2.0 connected with some interesting history.
Here's the backstory:
My Grandma Audrey left an incredible legacy in River Falls and I love being associated with many of her "pay-it-forward" acts of service. She passed away over two years ago and I was honored to speak at her funeral. That day, I shared an important story about how proud she was of her father's imprint on our little community. He was a foreman and constructed several landmarks in town, including churches, office buildings, and most notably the Glen Park Pool, which was built as a part of FDR's Civil Works Administration during the Great Depression. I met with my grandma once a week and soaked up as many stories as I could while focusing on documenting her journey through life. She often boasted of her father's craftsmanship and how his cement was the best that was ever mixed. She really believed it, and many poor souls would eventually come to believe it as well.
When the Ezekiel Lutheran Church went through a renovation project in the late 80's, she was appalled that their leadership was certain that they'd be able to knock down the old sanctuary during one weekend. I remember watching that gigantic wrecking ball crash into the walls and the steeple coming down, but it didn't take a weekend. As Audrey recalled, it took them over two weeks to knock down what was made from that "Damn Luberg Cement!" She said it was a great feeling to drive by and watch those construction works struggle because they were so certain it would come down easily. Not her dad's work. She said she would watch from the car and laugh out loud.
Well, that story has sort of come full circle in our newest Victory School of Wrestling adventure as we embarked on that challenge to remove that small room in the back corner of the old Roen building.
Derek spent over 10 hours of uninterrupted jack hammering on Tuesday to get the 12-inch poured cement ceiling down. There was so much rebar...and a few swear words.
It all made sense this morning when my dad told me that Grandpa Luberg and Harley Roen were great friends and in 1968 he built that addition. My great grandfather actually built the area that will be our permanent wrestling space. How cool is that? I know it took longer to remove that little room than it did to build it!
In the midst of all of the anxiety and confusion happening in the world, an indelible memory took place for me that connected our future to the history of River Falls and my family. I know Grandma Audrey would be all wound-up over what is taking place in the world right now. She would have had several opinions about COVID-19, politics, end times prophesies, and people. She always had opinions about people.
She would have taken a few minutes to see what her grandson was up to by ordering my dad to drive her down to the building. She would have sat in the car and quietly observed a few grown men fumbling over the rubble.
Her head would be shaking and she would have waved her finger at Jon and Derek's expletives. And she would have laughed.
"That Damn Luberg Cement." Audrey would have gotten a kick out of it.
We've shared pictures on social media of the progress that's taking place at our new location at 660 N. Main St. in River Falls. Locals know it as the "Roen Building," which housed Roen Ford dealership and, most recently, Bernard's Auto. Patrick Traynor purchased the building and has begun remodeling it. We're grateful for the opportunity to share the space with his wife's eye clinic.
This week, Derek Miller, Jens and Jon Lantz and myself represented Victory and we did our part in some crucial demolition to prepare for the next steps. In the process, Derek's dedication was put to the test and he passed. With a front mounted jack hammer, he went to work on a small brick corner room that ended up being nothing short of a "bomb shelter." He also attacked a small set of stairs.
In those moments of struggle, Victory 2.0 connected with some interesting history.
Here's the backstory:
My Grandma Audrey left an incredible legacy in River Falls and I love being associated with many of her "pay-it-forward" acts of service. She passed away over two years ago and I was honored to speak at her funeral. That day, I shared an important story about how proud she was of her father's imprint on our little community. He was a foreman and constructed several landmarks in town, including churches, office buildings, and most notably the Glen Park Pool, which was built as a part of FDR's Civil Works Administration during the Great Depression. I met with my grandma once a week and soaked up as many stories as I could while focusing on documenting her journey through life. She often boasted of her father's craftsmanship and how his cement was the best that was ever mixed. She really believed it, and many poor souls would eventually come to believe it as well.
When the Ezekiel Lutheran Church went through a renovation project in the late 80's, she was appalled that their leadership was certain that they'd be able to knock down the old sanctuary during one weekend. I remember watching that gigantic wrecking ball crash into the walls and the steeple coming down, but it didn't take a weekend. As Audrey recalled, it took them over two weeks to knock down what was made from that "Damn Luberg Cement!" She said it was a great feeling to drive by and watch those construction works struggle because they were so certain it would come down easily. Not her dad's work. She said she would watch from the car and laugh out loud.
Well, that story has sort of come full circle in our newest Victory School of Wrestling adventure as we embarked on that challenge to remove that small room in the back corner of the old Roen building.
Derek spent over 10 hours of uninterrupted jack hammering on Tuesday to get the 12-inch poured cement ceiling down. There was so much rebar...and a few swear words.
It all made sense this morning when my dad told me that Grandpa Luberg and Harley Roen were great friends and in 1968 he built that addition. My great grandfather actually built the area that will be our permanent wrestling space. How cool is that? I know it took longer to remove that little room than it did to build it!
In the midst of all of the anxiety and confusion happening in the world, an indelible memory took place for me that connected our future to the history of River Falls and my family. I know Grandma Audrey would be all wound-up over what is taking place in the world right now. She would have had several opinions about COVID-19, politics, end times prophesies, and people. She always had opinions about people.
She would have taken a few minutes to see what her grandson was up to by ordering my dad to drive her down to the building. She would have sat in the car and quietly observed a few grown men fumbling over the rubble.
Her head would be shaking and she would have waved her finger at Jon and Derek's expletives. And she would have laughed.
"That Damn Luberg Cement." Audrey would have gotten a kick out of it.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Influencing refs on controversial calls
When I was a college athlete, we'd gather around the dinner table or campfire and play "poor sportsmanship or part of the game." It was made-up by one of our friends to spur on complicated conversation regarding scenarios from sports contests. The goal was to challenge each other as we made strides to represent Jesus Christ through competition. It forced us to put our faith to the test and be intentional about how we conduct ourselves on and off the mat/field of play.
We'd talk about things like trying to distract the free throw shooter or giving a little shove after the whistle under the guise of gaining a mental edge. Even a coach getting a little fired up with an official and taking a penalty, of sorts, to support his/her team. We never really came to consensus on any of them and nearly every scenario that was on the table was supported as "part of the sport" by those who participated in that sport and "poor sportsmanship" by those on the outside.
One of the most heated conversations was the idea of influencing refs on controversial calls. During an onside kick or a fumble, for example, what should we make of pointing in the direction of your team even though we're all certain we have no idea who has the ball under the pile. In wrestling, hounding the referee for a stalling call (guilty). Or even deeper, planting your feet and taking a charge in basketball, which is a strategic and necessary way to use the rule book to your advantage, but is it right to take something from someone that doesn't belong to you?
All very tricky situations. That's why the game was so much fun. It really did force us to dig down and consider who we were playing for and how we wanted to be seen as Christ followers.
On Monday, the Green Bay Packers won a Monday Night Football battle with the Detroit Lions. It was kind of an ugly win for the 5-1 Packers and served as another difficult loss for the Lions because they just seem snake bite by the referees so far this year. I'm a Packers fan, so no "gift" is received with any amount of guilt after getting hosed against the Seahawks several years ago. There are a lot of plays during the course of a football game and one or two plays, calls or no-calls make the sole difference in an outcome even if it feels that way. It has brought to light some important topics of conversation within the NFL, though (sorry that I'm not sorry the Lions are the scapegoat today).
In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, Packers lineman David Bakhtiari said he believed he influenced the referee in those two controversial calls that took place in the second half of Monday's game. He approached a referee at the end of the first half and, in short, said something along the lines of, "hey, watch what's happening." So the ref did and in the heat of the moment, made a couple of big calls that had a big impact on the game. Even bigger after we could see them in slow motion and everyone determined that they were bad calls. To be fair to everyone, we've watched those two plays over and over and over and many have concluded the same thing, however, no one has played any of the other 50-plus plays that might have been reason for Bakhtiari to sound the alarm.
So, laying all of that all out before you, was Bakhtiari's conversation poor sportsmanship or part of the game? How about the referees poor calls? Or even the no-calls that we're not examining? Where do we draw the line and how do we communicate it with our athletes and children?
Is influencing refs on controversial calls in bounds or out of bounds?
We'd talk about things like trying to distract the free throw shooter or giving a little shove after the whistle under the guise of gaining a mental edge. Even a coach getting a little fired up with an official and taking a penalty, of sorts, to support his/her team. We never really came to consensus on any of them and nearly every scenario that was on the table was supported as "part of the sport" by those who participated in that sport and "poor sportsmanship" by those on the outside.
One of the most heated conversations was the idea of influencing refs on controversial calls. During an onside kick or a fumble, for example, what should we make of pointing in the direction of your team even though we're all certain we have no idea who has the ball under the pile. In wrestling, hounding the referee for a stalling call (guilty). Or even deeper, planting your feet and taking a charge in basketball, which is a strategic and necessary way to use the rule book to your advantage, but is it right to take something from someone that doesn't belong to you?
All very tricky situations. That's why the game was so much fun. It really did force us to dig down and consider who we were playing for and how we wanted to be seen as Christ followers.
On Monday, the Green Bay Packers won a Monday Night Football battle with the Detroit Lions. It was kind of an ugly win for the 5-1 Packers and served as another difficult loss for the Lions because they just seem snake bite by the referees so far this year. I'm a Packers fan, so no "gift" is received with any amount of guilt after getting hosed against the Seahawks several years ago. There are a lot of plays during the course of a football game and one or two plays, calls or no-calls make the sole difference in an outcome even if it feels that way. It has brought to light some important topics of conversation within the NFL, though (sorry that I'm not sorry the Lions are the scapegoat today).
In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, Packers lineman David Bakhtiari said he believed he influenced the referee in those two controversial calls that took place in the second half of Monday's game. He approached a referee at the end of the first half and, in short, said something along the lines of, "hey, watch what's happening." So the ref did and in the heat of the moment, made a couple of big calls that had a big impact on the game. Even bigger after we could see them in slow motion and everyone determined that they were bad calls. To be fair to everyone, we've watched those two plays over and over and over and many have concluded the same thing, however, no one has played any of the other 50-plus plays that might have been reason for Bakhtiari to sound the alarm.
So, laying all of that all out before you, was Bakhtiari's conversation poor sportsmanship or part of the game? How about the referees poor calls? Or even the no-calls that we're not examining? Where do we draw the line and how do we communicate it with our athletes and children?
Is influencing refs on controversial calls in bounds or out of bounds?
Sunday, September 29, 2019
National Coffee Day
Today was National Coffee Day in the US (and Canada). I stopped at Starbucks in Hudson to indulge in a Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream. It's been my go-to at Starbucks as of late. Liz is keen to the seasonal Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. Yes, both drinks scream big franchise chain coffee, but they're delicious. Which is why we spend so much money on coffee these days.
I wrote a blog 10 years ago about making the decision to start drinking coffee. Here's the link if you're interested... I wasn't a coffee drinker and the social buzz around coffee was still in its infancy. Nothing like it is today. I didn't like the taste of coffee, so I masked it with sugars and creams and predicted that I'd acquire a taste for it like my grandma told me adults do.
Since writing that blog 10 years ago, I've become somewhat of a "coffee snob" and more sophisticated than I did in my pre-coffee years.
I've probably had a majority of my coffee at big franchises like Starbucks or Caribou, however, I enjoy most those quaint little coffee houses that roast their own beans, make their own syrups and carefully craft every drink on the menu. I've had some dandies and thought I'd take a stab at my 10 most memorable cups of coffee in the last 10 years. Disclaimer: I don't know how to give coffee reviews and I'm a legit poser when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of coffee (although I've watch a few documentaries). The coffee listed below is a real list of the drinks that pop into my head when I think of the best coffee I've ever had. Nothing more.
1. The best cup of coffee that I've ever had, hands down, came from Dixon Coffee Company in Rapid City, SD. A few years ago, we took the long way home from Colorado Springs so we could see Mt. Rushmore. Liz and I spotted a cute little coffee truck in the parking lot of a grocery store with a long line, so we gave it a shot. I ordered a caramel latte and she went with a vanilla latte with half the syrup. It could have been a combination of many things other than the coffee, but we still talk about those drinks and long to go back to Rapid City for Dixon's.
2. Last summer the World Team Trials were in Raleigh, NC and our hotel was two blocks from Jubala Coffee. I stopped there several times in the three days that I was there and was introduced to an unforgettable coffee and lemonade concoction that changed my outlook on summer drinks for the entire Summer of 2019.
3. We make regular trips to Prescott, WI to visit our favorite local coffee shop - Twisted Oak. I've had many great experiences there with my bride and others who visit us. My drink of choice is the Paul Bunyan. It's a latte with organic maple syrup.
4. Liz and I had a special date night a few months ago and went to Minneapolis and tried a fun little restaurant. After the meal, we walked through the city and enjoyed being sans children and we got some late night coffee at Spyhouse Coffee on Nicollet Ave. I ordered their signature "Spygirl." It was a delicious lavender and vanilla latte (with almond milk).
5. I will include another Spyhouse drink on my list because we went with several others, including our boys. I thought outside the box and got their advertised special with golden turmeric and oat milk. It was interesting and I enjoyed it.
6. Just last week we ventured around Minneapolis and found a Peace Coffee cafe in Wonderland Park. I chose their seasonal option called the Harvest Moon Latte. It was a latte with brown sugar and pureed squash with almond milk and some additional spices. It was incredible. I've already recommended it to others and will be going back soon.
7. We visited Alaska two years ago and drove a few hours outside of Anchorage and made a stop in Talkeetna to try the famous Spinach Bread. Liz and I were more excited about the breakfast burrito that was on their menu. Next to that Airstream food truck was Conscious Coffee. They jammed a ton of character in that little building and made a great drink for us, especially for a rainy morning.
There are a few international memories, too:
8. A few years ago we stayed at the national training center in Paris, France called INSEP. This little coffee experience makes the list because it's memorable, not because it was a good cup of coffee. One of my athletes encouraged me to purchase a little espresso for 1 Euro. It came in a paper shot glass-sized cup and was the strongest taste of anything I'd every put on my lips. Needless to say, I didn't finish the 2 ounce drink. I set it on the desk in my room and I took a nap. When I woke up, the gasoline-like espresso had eaten through the paper cup.
9. If you ever get the opportunity to try traditional Turkish coffee, it's a must. The World Championships were in Istanbul in 2011 and we drank a lot of Turkish coffee at little street side cafes (along with "street meat"). They grind the beans very small and brew it with sugar. I'm pretty sure the beans remain in the coffee when you drink it. It's a special texture and extra frothy. Good stuff.
10. I have to "name drop" the Olympics in this post because there was a very small coffee option outside the venue in Rio called Café Leão. It was a unique specialty coffee brand launched by McDonalds in Brazil. It was the only place that I could find coffee besides the Nescafe truck next to my apartment. It was actually very good and a fun little portable coffeehouse.
There are more, of course, especially Duluth Coffee Company and the several in Colorado Springs (Switchback) or Fargo (Beans serves each drink with a mini doughnut). Liz and I were excited about Colectivo in Madison last weekend, too. I try to collect stickers from all of these coffee shops along with the memories. I'm still on the hunt for my first cup of kopi luwak. I'm sure that one will get its own blog. Coffee has been a new and exciting part of our lives and we enjoy the camaraderie mixed in with the mystery of trying new drinks and places.
Happy National Coffee Day. FYI, October 1st is "International Coffee Day."
I wrote a blog 10 years ago about making the decision to start drinking coffee. Here's the link if you're interested... I wasn't a coffee drinker and the social buzz around coffee was still in its infancy. Nothing like it is today. I didn't like the taste of coffee, so I masked it with sugars and creams and predicted that I'd acquire a taste for it like my grandma told me adults do.
Since writing that blog 10 years ago, I've become somewhat of a "coffee snob" and more sophisticated than I did in my pre-coffee years.
I've probably had a majority of my coffee at big franchises like Starbucks or Caribou, however, I enjoy most those quaint little coffee houses that roast their own beans, make their own syrups and carefully craft every drink on the menu. I've had some dandies and thought I'd take a stab at my 10 most memorable cups of coffee in the last 10 years. Disclaimer: I don't know how to give coffee reviews and I'm a legit poser when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of coffee (although I've watch a few documentaries). The coffee listed below is a real list of the drinks that pop into my head when I think of the best coffee I've ever had. Nothing more.
1. The best cup of coffee that I've ever had, hands down, came from Dixon Coffee Company in Rapid City, SD. A few years ago, we took the long way home from Colorado Springs so we could see Mt. Rushmore. Liz and I spotted a cute little coffee truck in the parking lot of a grocery store with a long line, so we gave it a shot. I ordered a caramel latte and she went with a vanilla latte with half the syrup. It could have been a combination of many things other than the coffee, but we still talk about those drinks and long to go back to Rapid City for Dixon's.
2. Last summer the World Team Trials were in Raleigh, NC and our hotel was two blocks from Jubala Coffee. I stopped there several times in the three days that I was there and was introduced to an unforgettable coffee and lemonade concoction that changed my outlook on summer drinks for the entire Summer of 2019.
3. We make regular trips to Prescott, WI to visit our favorite local coffee shop - Twisted Oak. I've had many great experiences there with my bride and others who visit us. My drink of choice is the Paul Bunyan. It's a latte with organic maple syrup.
4. Liz and I had a special date night a few months ago and went to Minneapolis and tried a fun little restaurant. After the meal, we walked through the city and enjoyed being sans children and we got some late night coffee at Spyhouse Coffee on Nicollet Ave. I ordered their signature "Spygirl." It was a delicious lavender and vanilla latte (with almond milk).
5. I will include another Spyhouse drink on my list because we went with several others, including our boys. I thought outside the box and got their advertised special with golden turmeric and oat milk. It was interesting and I enjoyed it.
6. Just last week we ventured around Minneapolis and found a Peace Coffee cafe in Wonderland Park. I chose their seasonal option called the Harvest Moon Latte. It was a latte with brown sugar and pureed squash with almond milk and some additional spices. It was incredible. I've already recommended it to others and will be going back soon.
7. We visited Alaska two years ago and drove a few hours outside of Anchorage and made a stop in Talkeetna to try the famous Spinach Bread. Liz and I were more excited about the breakfast burrito that was on their menu. Next to that Airstream food truck was Conscious Coffee. They jammed a ton of character in that little building and made a great drink for us, especially for a rainy morning.
There are a few international memories, too:
8. A few years ago we stayed at the national training center in Paris, France called INSEP. This little coffee experience makes the list because it's memorable, not because it was a good cup of coffee. One of my athletes encouraged me to purchase a little espresso for 1 Euro. It came in a paper shot glass-sized cup and was the strongest taste of anything I'd every put on my lips. Needless to say, I didn't finish the 2 ounce drink. I set it on the desk in my room and I took a nap. When I woke up, the gasoline-like espresso had eaten through the paper cup.
9. If you ever get the opportunity to try traditional Turkish coffee, it's a must. The World Championships were in Istanbul in 2011 and we drank a lot of Turkish coffee at little street side cafes (along with "street meat"). They grind the beans very small and brew it with sugar. I'm pretty sure the beans remain in the coffee when you drink it. It's a special texture and extra frothy. Good stuff.
10. I have to "name drop" the Olympics in this post because there was a very small coffee option outside the venue in Rio called Café Leão. It was a unique specialty coffee brand launched by McDonalds in Brazil. It was the only place that I could find coffee besides the Nescafe truck next to my apartment. It was actually very good and a fun little portable coffeehouse.
There are more, of course, especially Duluth Coffee Company and the several in Colorado Springs (Switchback) or Fargo (Beans serves each drink with a mini doughnut). Liz and I were excited about Colectivo in Madison last weekend, too. I try to collect stickers from all of these coffee shops along with the memories. I'm still on the hunt for my first cup of kopi luwak. I'm sure that one will get its own blog. Coffee has been a new and exciting part of our lives and we enjoy the camaraderie mixed in with the mystery of trying new drinks and places.
Happy National Coffee Day. FYI, October 1st is "International Coffee Day."
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Building a Culture That Values People
I stumbled across this list in my notes. It was posted on Coaches Toolbox.net and the site gave credit to J.P. Nerbun.
1. Be authentic and vulnerable with your team.
2. Read and journal together as a team.
3. Stop using conditioning as a punishment.
4. Use boundaries and consequences to develop self-discipline.
5. Give your athletes a voice at every opportunity.
6. Stop chasing talent and invest in grit.
1. Be authentic and vulnerable with your team.
2. Read and journal together as a team.
3. Stop using conditioning as a punishment.
4. Use boundaries and consequences to develop self-discipline.
5. Give your athletes a voice at every opportunity.
6. Stop chasing talent and invest in grit.
Friday, September 27, 2019
College Freshmen, Choose Your Path Wisely
It's been one month since brand new college students moved into their dorm rooms on campuses all over the US. The first few weeks go quickly as these young and men and women enjoy their many new found freedoms. Now, one month in, everyone begins to find themselves establishing new routines.
In the opening month of college, incoming freshmen are flooded with opportunities to be involved in a variety of student organizations and groups. With excitement and curiosity, they give some a try and once in a while some of them stick.
I was heavily involved with Athletes In Action while I was in college. I wore many hats within the Christian athlete ministry. Each start of the school year, we would put together freshmen welcome bags and distribute them during "welcome week." Several new student-athletes would check the box on the information card that said they were interested in knowing more about AIA, so our leadership group would divide names and follow-up with those interested.
One thing I remember most about welcome week was the value of making others feel included. We knew that a freshman student would likely chooses his/her spiritual path within the first month on campus. We had a short window to help those fresh faces make their faith a priority. For many, that first month set the trajectory for their spiritual involvement for their entire college years.
This is why today is so important to those college freshman. It's been one month on campus. Time is up. That first month has passed and routines are established and priorities are being revealed. For some, their personal faith journey didn't make it high on the priority list and it's not part of their routine. Their college years will fly by and soon they'll wake-up as graduating seniors having missed out on critical years of growing in their faith.
This blog post today is my big attempt to encourage those new college students to make their faith a priority. Check the box that says you're interested in hearing more about Athletes In Action, FCA, Cru, Intervarsity, Navigators or the Bible Study in your dorm room. Don't cut it out of your life because you just never got around to it that first month of your college experience. Reply to that text message or answer the phone call or e-mail from that person who is following-up about your interest.
The path you choose leads to a destination. Choose it wisely.
In the opening month of college, incoming freshmen are flooded with opportunities to be involved in a variety of student organizations and groups. With excitement and curiosity, they give some a try and once in a while some of them stick.
I was heavily involved with Athletes In Action while I was in college. I wore many hats within the Christian athlete ministry. Each start of the school year, we would put together freshmen welcome bags and distribute them during "welcome week." Several new student-athletes would check the box on the information card that said they were interested in knowing more about AIA, so our leadership group would divide names and follow-up with those interested.
One thing I remember most about welcome week was the value of making others feel included. We knew that a freshman student would likely chooses his/her spiritual path within the first month on campus. We had a short window to help those fresh faces make their faith a priority. For many, that first month set the trajectory for their spiritual involvement for their entire college years.
This is why today is so important to those college freshman. It's been one month on campus. Time is up. That first month has passed and routines are established and priorities are being revealed. For some, their personal faith journey didn't make it high on the priority list and it's not part of their routine. Their college years will fly by and soon they'll wake-up as graduating seniors having missed out on critical years of growing in their faith.
This blog post today is my big attempt to encourage those new college students to make their faith a priority. Check the box that says you're interested in hearing more about Athletes In Action, FCA, Cru, Intervarsity, Navigators or the Bible Study in your dorm room. Don't cut it out of your life because you just never got around to it that first month of your college experience. Reply to that text message or answer the phone call or e-mail from that person who is following-up about your interest.
The path you choose leads to a destination. Choose it wisely.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Transition Wrestling is "Badass"
"You either walk inside your story and own it, or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness." - Brene Brown.
Gabrielle Lord-Klein took on a big adventure because she saw a big need. She also had a very big burden. As a former college athlete and women's wrestling coach, she saw a growth opportunity for the advancement of women's wrestling: the media. Like many, she was frustrated by the lack of coverage. Instead of begging other media outlets to do more for women, she owned her story and started a website. Now, she reports on the most up-to-date women's college wrestling stories and has quickly become the go-to resource for breaking news.
You can find Transition Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and everywhere else you'd expect to see women's wrestling news.
Coaching changes and new programs have been the most relevant stories on Transition Wrestling until this week when she broke the news that the NCAA women's wrestling programs will have an opportunity to compete at an exclusive championship event.
Through Transition Wrestling, Gabby is moving the needle in the women's wrestling scene and this most recent article could very well put her into an entirely new realm of women's wrestling coverage. A media outlet like this is exactly what women's college wrestling has been starving for - someone from the trenches investigating and representing thousands of female wrestlers.
Transition Wrestling is raw and real. It's a passionate and powerful female stepping up and doing what no one else is doing. And she's doing it on her own. Her vulnerability magnifies her impact. She's not a traditional journalist. There's no man introducing her. She not piggy backing off someone else's platform. She knows who she is and where she's from and is jumping into unfamiliar territory in order to give others hope and a voice that can be heard.
Brene Brown also said, "when I see people stand fully in their truth, or when I see someone fall down, get back up and say, 'Damn. That really hurt, but this is important to me and I'm going in again' - my gut reaction is, 'What a badass.'" That pretty much sums up Gabby.
Gabrielle Lord-Klein took on a big adventure because she saw a big need. She also had a very big burden. As a former college athlete and women's wrestling coach, she saw a growth opportunity for the advancement of women's wrestling: the media. Like many, she was frustrated by the lack of coverage. Instead of begging other media outlets to do more for women, she owned her story and started a website. Now, she reports on the most up-to-date women's college wrestling stories and has quickly become the go-to resource for breaking news.
You can find Transition Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and everywhere else you'd expect to see women's wrestling news.
Coaching changes and new programs have been the most relevant stories on Transition Wrestling until this week when she broke the news that the NCAA women's wrestling programs will have an opportunity to compete at an exclusive championship event.
Through Transition Wrestling, Gabby is moving the needle in the women's wrestling scene and this most recent article could very well put her into an entirely new realm of women's wrestling coverage. A media outlet like this is exactly what women's college wrestling has been starving for - someone from the trenches investigating and representing thousands of female wrestlers.
Transition Wrestling is raw and real. It's a passionate and powerful female stepping up and doing what no one else is doing. And she's doing it on her own. Her vulnerability magnifies her impact. She's not a traditional journalist. There's no man introducing her. She not piggy backing off someone else's platform. She knows who she is and where she's from and is jumping into unfamiliar territory in order to give others hope and a voice that can be heard.
Brene Brown also said, "when I see people stand fully in their truth, or when I see someone fall down, get back up and say, 'Damn. That really hurt, but this is important to me and I'm going in again' - my gut reaction is, 'What a badass.'" That pretty much sums up Gabby.
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