In the Paint with Coach Green- January 12, 2017

Coach Green’s Blog
Volume 4

“Team Spirit”

As we work our way up the Pyramid of Success, one of the blocks that is extremely important and a significant characteristic is selflessness.  Selflessness is the opposite of selfishness.   When an individual genuinely cares more for his or her teammates success rather than their own success.  Ironically individuals tend to have much more success when they don’t focus on their own accomplishments but the accomplishments of the team.

Some of the most successful teams I had the privilege to either coach or participate on genuinely enjoyed helping each other.   And enjoyed seeing the success of their teammates.  Whether on the court, on the field or in the office, most of us have to work as a member of a team.  Learning the ability to put “We” before “Me” is a giant step toward success.

I imagine most reading this watched the NCAA College Football Championship game between Clemson University and the University of Alabama.  While Alabama was the favorite to win the game, I doubt that there was a lot of surprise that Clemson was able to pull off the upset.  I’m a big fan of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and the way he has gone about building a championship program.  But I was so impressed with his postgame comments about what it was going to take for his team to win.  When asked that question, he stated “I told my team before the game we were going to win this game with LOVE.  Love for each other…”  He went on to say how they loved each other, and fought hard for each other.  This is the perfect example of “Team Spirit”.  When you are able to give everything you’ve got for the success of the person on your left and on your right, you’ll have something special.  In Clemson’s case a National Championship.

It is my goal and my staff’s goal to build a championship culture.  To build a culture where the teams compete every possession of practice and game.  But to build that championship culture where one of the building blocks is “Team Spirit”, where players and coaches genuinely care for and love each other.  I’ll close with one of my favorite Coach John Wooden quotes: “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

Sincerely,

Coach Green
“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”   Coach John Wooden