The structure of the NCAA and intercollegiate athletics is under fire and rightfully so. How it has evolved has had many lose sight of the value of the experience for the athlete and those who know the athlete.

Yesterday morning the University of California, Berkeley was represented in the women’s singles tennis final by a young lady named Lynn Chi. It is a long and arduous trip to get to the finals of any NCAA event, individual or team. I am sure Lynn will not want to pick up a racket for a couple of days, anyway.

Lynn is a beautiful young woman in every way. She is a sweet, caring person and, obviously, a talented athlete. A pre-med major, she clearly intends to be a person who makes a difference and I am sure she will continue to do so. Working with her and her teammates is a joy even when there are some bumps in the road.

Every athlete who competes in intercollegiate athletics is not a Lynn Chi. Every athlete does have the opportunity for significant growth and development from the experience. Something the “one and done” athletes of intercollegiate basketball are minimizing when leaving after one year.

Over the past quarter century, my company, Todd Team Coaching, has worked with hundreds of athletes, teams and coaches. I have heard the pros and cons of everything going on and clearly something needs to happen.

It isn’t about fixing something. It is about transforming the experience. It is about simple principles that provide a foundation for living. If you think it is about winning you have your head in a very dark place. It could be about how you win. Never met anyone who didn’t want to win.

By the way Lynn Chi lost that final match to Danielle Collins (UVA) 6-2. 7-5. The question to answer is “what did I learn?” Do you think that Lynn is any less a person for losing, or more of a person if she had won?

Lynn, it is an honor to know you and your teammates.

Check lulu.com for a look at Coach Todd’s books. Learning about the value available in the athletic experience is a cool thing to do.