In the world of high tech, Carl Eschenbach’s is a name synonymous with explosive growth. As the longtime president and chief operating officer of VMware, he helped the company go from 200 employees and $30 million in revenue to 20,000 employees and $7 billion. During that sometimes challenging uphill ride to success, Eschenbach developed what he affectionately calls his 4 C’s that he counsels any executive to manage.

It was the most talked-about breakup since Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s highly publicized “de-coupling.” After nearly two decades and six Super Bowl Championship rings with the New England Patriots and longtime head coach Bill Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady left Boston’s trademark chowder in favor of stone crabs, key lime pie, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For the record, I live in Florida and have tasted my fair share of key lime pie—it’s quite the delectable recruiting pitch. But football fans nationwide questioned the split and then speculated over which party would find success and which would fall flat.

If you’re a college football enthusiast, like I am, then this is the most beautiful time of the year (fingers firmly crossed!). It’s when the clash of helmets and shoulder pads gives you a jolt better than doubling up on morning coffee. It’s when rooting for your favorite school becomes an opportunity to witness, in unison, a significant moment that will be remembered forever. This decade is easily linked to the University of Alabama and head coach Nick Saban. The Tide has won four National Championships in the past 10 seasons—five in the past 11.

And I don’t believe it would have happened if the Tide hadn’t first made a groundbreaking decision a half-century ago. It was 50 years ago this week that two legendary college football programs played a game in Birmingham that many argue completely altered the course of college football.

Few athletes have ever had a bigger voice than Michael Jordan. His, no doubt, still haunts opponents yet commands respect. MJ’s voice is so valuable that in the 38 years since he hit the game-winning shot against Georgetown to capture the 1982 NCAA Title for the North Carolina Tar Heels, he’s been sought after to influence your purchases of everything from shoes and underwear to restaurants and car dealerships.