Tag: Writing

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...

Mike Flynt

Written on October 1, 2008.

When All Else Fails… The truly great know how – and when – to adjust their game plan. Mike Flynt was one of the toughest linebackers in the Lone Star Conference when he was playing for Sul Ross State University, and as that team’s senior captain, he had the Lobos ready for a breakout year in 1970. Flynt’s toughness, often displayed by his willingness to scrap at the drop of a hat, became...

Michael Phelps

Written on August 1, 2008.

Ultimate Teammate… The truly great will assume whatever role is necessary for the team to win… He was the star of the Olympic Games – a young man about whom so many words were written, that coming up with a new superlative to describe him is practically impossible. And his legacy will live on even after his world records are surpassed, because one thing I’ve noticed while watching Michael...

Dot Richardson

Written on July 1, 2008.

Contagious Enthusiasm… They are positive thinkers… They are enthusiastic… and that enthusiasm rubs off. Twice during the 1996 Summer Olympics, Dot Richardson and her teammates on the US softball team had faced the powerhouse team from China. Twice, in key situations, Dot had struck out. So with the Gold Medal on the line, it was high drama when the captain of the American team stepped to the plate...