Author: Don Yaeger

Dale Brown

Written on April 24, 2024.

When Everyone is Watching… They embrace the idea of being a role model It is officially called the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship Tournament. But for most of us, it’s simply known as March Madness. And what puts the madness into March? It is the opportunity for teams no one expects to win to suddenly go on a tear and challenge for the national title. Only twice in the history of this...

The Ultimate Upset

Written on March 1, 2009.

Upstart Villanova proved March Madness, like life, is all bout your performance on the court. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is nicknamed March Madness for two reasons: One, that’s the month when the three-week tournament mainly happens each year and, two, the tourney’s legacy includes dynasty teams and dramatic underdog stories. March Madness, as in life, is all about how you perform on the court. Nothing else...

The Straight Shot

Written on February 1, 2009.

How Arnold Palmer became the richest athlete in the world. Sitting in his unpretentious Orlando office, not a trophy in sight, Arnold Palmer bounced from answering calls about a clothing deal in Japan to e-mail about a golf course in Dubai to interviews with reporters from across the United States. All the while, a most inappropriately named yellow Labrador sat quietly at his feet. Between million-dollar decisions,...

Michael Jordan

Written on February 1, 2009.

When All Else Fails They know how – and when – to adjust their game plan It was June 14, 1998. The Chicago Bulls trailed the Utah Jazz 86-83 with 40 seconds remaining in what was game six of the NBA Finals. The Bulls held a 3-2 series advantage. Michael Jordan took the inbounds pass, went straight to the basket and hit a lay-up over Utah defenders, cutting the deficit to one. The Jazz took the ball down...

Winning Every Day

Written on January 1, 2009.

Pat Summitt’s Strategy Centers on Goal-Setting Eight times Pat Summitt’s University of Tennessee women’s basketball team has ended the season by lifting high the national championship trophy. Not once was that her team’s goal. Before each of the 34 seasons that Summitt has been a head coach of some of the most accomplished teams of all time, she and her captains have committed a set of goals to writing.

Walter Payton

Written on December 1, 2008.

Do Unto Others… They know character is defined by the way they treat those who cannot help them In the fall of 1993, a prominent Chicago personality decided to host a Thanksgiving dinner benefiting 650 underprivileged children. As part of the program, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman and the Easter Bunny were invited to join the kids that night. As he was waiting in line, one little boy began to cry....

NFL’s Warrick Dunn Is Giving Homes For The Holidays

Written on November 5, 2008.

Warrick Dunn’s tribute to his mom makes the American Dream a reality for needy families. Thanksgiving night, 2007. In a nationally televised game, Warrick Dunn, the diminutive running back then playing for the Atlanta Falcons, took a quick handoff early in the second quarter and plunged his 5-foot-9-inch, 180-pound frame into a mass of 300-pound linemen. On the other end of the run, he found history.

Focusing On Improvement When You’ve Reached the Pinnacle

Written on November 1, 2008.

How Roy Williams Motivates His Team Roy Williams knows about expectations. The veteran coach of the University of North Carolina’s vaunted basketball program has, in years past, fielded teams of which little was expected. And he has come to play with teams when anything less than a championship would seem, at least in the public eye, a failure. Williams doesn’t hesitate in saying which he prefers: “Give me great players...

Warrick Dunn

Written on November 1, 2008.

Inner Fire… The truly great use adversity as fuel. Nearly a year ago, this newsletter covered the story of NFL great Warrick Dunn. Response then to Warrick’s amazing story was extraordinary, leading me to want to share another characteristic that Warrick embodies, especially since his autobiography – which recreates his journey to Greatness – was released Tuesday by Harper Collins. Warrick...