I know that, in general, human beings are resistant to change. It probably stems from wishing that “someday” we will have things figured out. You know, “no more problems.” Wouldn’t it be more useful to acknowledge that “problems are?”

They are the mountains we scale that challenge us to be “who we say we are.” Problems give us the opportunity to test our values, to learn from our mistakes and, most of all, to see that we can bounce back from our mistakes which is, after all, our greatest asset.

How does this affect the “world of sports?” First of all there are two primary arenas in sports, collegiate and professional. I know the lines are blurred, but for now let’s leave it at that.

We make the climb up the proverbial mountain simpler if we create a purpose for each domain. How I see each purpose is just how I see it. If you don’t agree, too bad, write your own blog.

  • Purpose of Collegiate Sports: Growth and development of the athlete as a human being
  • Purpose of Professional Sports: Make a profit in the entertainment business

At the college level it seems that we have forgotten our purpose and are so concerned with winning (code for entertaining) that we have confused the athletes in regards to the purpose. Half of being a college student is about subject matter, the other half is meeting new people, taking care of oneself and, a huge piece of that is learning to work with other people to achieve their goals and intentions.

Professional sports are in the entertainment business—a show and, of course, winning. Very few actually make a profit which is justified by manipulating tax credits and other business concerns that I have no knowledge of.

No business training for the employees (players). The performer makes large sums of money and, on the average, is bankrupt within five years after retirement. In the next blog we can look at what might be possible in both domains. Stay tuned …
And, remember to check Coach Todd’s library for reading material that will support your efforts.