A couple of weeks ago the best basketball team I ever coached at the community college level had a reunion in Las Vegas. Even though we were a California team, we felt that Las Vegas would attract the largest number of team members. Also, we had athletes from both coasts on the team.

Of course, we didn’t get everyone. Some have died, some couldn’t be found and others had circumstances that prevented their participation. We also had invited players from the 1984 and 1986 teams. The ‘85 team was 30-6 and lost in overtime in the state tournament. This was in spite of losing our leading scorer the day before the tournament began.

The real story however, is the quality of the relationships after 30 years. Their love for each other was obvious and their acknowledgement of the coaches profound. Community colleges are often treated as last choices for an education. That is by those who really don’t know the California System.

I was in the process of developing a coaching model that was and is a breakthrough in team relationships and performance and this group of young men were engaged with me even though I never talked to them about what we were doing at the time. The results speak for themselves.

I have always told coaches over the years that their team was a “mirror image” of themselves. This includes everything about their performance. If I am lacking in an area it will show up with the players. If I am in relationship with them it will show up in their relationship with each other.

As people arrived at our hotel their excitement and enthusiasm about just seeing each other was phenomenal. This continued through the three days and, yes, after. They are already planning next year’s event.

Todd Team Coaching’s Building a Championship Team Program is the product that came out of the work that was done with them. It was proof of the power in what we have been doing for the past 25+ years. The Taft team was a combination of street kids, poor students, good students and a variety of talents. We have worked with hundreds of teams since our inception. The reunion weekend was the frosting on the cake.

Coaches have an extraordinary opportunity to impact the lives of young people. Their ability to create powerful relationships ensures the success of their efforts. It also provides an ease in coaching their teams that is rarely seen.

Get Coach Todd’s book that gives the reader a foundation for transforming their players’ experience. Get “The Art of Losing” on lulu.com.