Tag: Writing

Bethany Hamilton

Written on April 1, 2011.

Lessons in Greatness It was a warm morning, perfect for the beach, when 13-year-old surfing champion Bethany Hamilton paddled out on her board to catch some waves with her friends. Already one of the most talked-about young surfers in Hawaii, Bethany had a score of championships to her name and was well on her way to living her dream of becoming a professional. But something happened in the water on the morning of...

Building A World-Class Team

Written on March 7, 2011.

Mike Krzyzewski’s principles for building a world-class team may not surprise you. Even so, how is Coach K able to do it year after year, team after team? Most coaches would consider leading a team to an Olympic gold medal a capper for a pretty good year. The same goes for winning an NCAA national championship. Or a FIBA world championship. Mike Krzyzewski, head coach of the Duke Blue Devils and Team USA, led...

Jason McElwain

Written on March 1, 2011.

Contagious Enthusiasm They are positive thinkers, they are enthusiastic and that enthusiasm rubs off! We are coming off of my favorite sports weekend of the entire year: March Madness! Honestly, who out there had VCU and Richmond in the Sweet Sixteen? But with all the talk of Bracket Busters and Cinderella teams, nothing that happened this weekend compares to my favorite springtime basketball story which occurred...

Michael Oher

Written on February 1, 2011.

What Off-Season? They are always working towards the next game… It’s one the most memorable scenes in one of Hollywood’s most memorable movies. A large African-American teenager named Michael Oher is walking down the street, hunched over against the cold, when an affluent family in a silver BMW pulls up next to him. The mother, played wonderfully in the movie by Sandra Bullock, asks where he is...

Drew Brees

Written on January 1, 2011.

When Everyone is Watching… They embrace the idea of being a role model! Over my years at Sports Illustrated, one of my favorite moments each week was getting a look at the images that were chosen for the cover of the magazine. My favorite cover of all time was published last Feb. 15, the week after the Super Bowl. On it is pictured New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, fresh off his team’s big win,...

Raising Champions

Written on October 6, 2010.

For the patriarch of football’s first family, his No. 1 lesson for his boys had nothing to do with football. In the sweltering bayou country of southern Louisiana, four accomplished men reunite every summer, bunking together as roommates in the cramped living quarters of a small college. “As a fan of the game, I’m pleased the two sides have reached a deal and, as a professional, I want to get back...

Archie Manning

Written on October 1, 2010.

Rubbing Elbows… They understand the value of association. Thanksgiving. What a great week to celebrate family and all that it can mean to our success. Sibling rivalry can be rough; it can be outgrown; it can be laughed about years later – and it can be a tremendous motivator towards Greatness. A few weeks ago, I spent some time catching up with the First Family of Football: Archie Manning and his sons...

Roy Halladay

Written on October 1, 2010.

Not Just About the Benjamins…” They don’t play just for the money. As any baseball player, statistician, or fan will tell you, it’s no small feat to pitch a no-hitter and it’s even rarer to pitch a perfect game. Yet, amazingly, Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies did both those things this season. On May 29, he threw only the 20th perfect game in MLB history and just last week,...