Well, the Final Four is set and it looks like it’s shaping up to be an exciting one. For me, the Final Four weekend, which includes the NABC Convention, has been something I really look forward to each year. I have been a member of the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) for 18 years and have attended the annual convention that is held in conjunction with the Final Four many times. Over the years, I have appreciated the leadership in the NABC that makes a strong effort to include ministry events in the Final Four weekend. These events have included coaches Bible studies, worship services, seminars for coaches and wives, workshops for coaches as fathers, testimonies from Christian coaches and athletes, discussion panels, question and answer sessions, fellowship luncheons and award banquets. I have often returned from the NABC convention spiritually refreshed and rejuvenated. The excitement surrounding the basketball games is just an added bonus. I also enjoy attending various coaching clinic sessions, watching the teams practice, and taking in the NABC All-Star game.
When talking strictly basketball, I think the Final Four is most exciting when you have a “hot team”, a “home team”, a “historical team” and a “happy-to-be-there team”. It seems like we have that this year for sure.
This year’s “hot team” is probably Connecticut. They have gone through some ups and downs and it took a while to adjust without Jerome Dyson, but now they are firing on all cylinders.
This year’s “home team” is obviously Michigan State. This is the Spartans fifth appearance at the Final Four since 1999. How they handled Louisville was so typical of a Tom Izzo coached team. Having a “home team” creates an exciting atmosphere surrounding the weekend.
The “historical team” is North Carolina. Few colleges have more tradition than the Tar Heels. This is their eighteenth appearance at the Final Four. They are certainly on a mission after being embarrassed by Kansas in last year’s Final Four semi-final game.
The “happy to be there” team is Villanova, but I wouldn’t count them out of having a chance to win it all. Jay Wright has done a great job building that program and they are more than capable of knocking anyone off. They could also be considered the “hot team” coming in.
If you are a college basketball fan it doesn’t get any better than the Final Four. As far as who I think will win, my heart says Michigan State, but my head says North Carolina. It should be another classic.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
A Real Champion
In my 27 years of coaching basketball, one of my all-time favorite coaches to compete against and fellowship with was Keith Champion. Champion, what a great name for a coach! Keith is certainly a champion in more ways than one. He has led many of his teams to conference, state and regional championships, but has developed young men to be champions off the court as much as on the court.
Coach Champion has coached in Christian schools and colleges for over 30 years. Most recently, Keith has been the athletic director and men’s basketball coach at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, MN. You may have been aware that the board of directors at Pillsbury voted to close the school this past December. Tough economic times and declining enrollment forced the board to make a very difficult decision and it abruptly left Coach Champion without a place to coach half way through the season. After 30 years in coaching, finding another place to coach posed a serious challenge. Keith’s resume is outstanding, but starting over again is never very easy. Most coaching vacancies would probably be filled with coaches half his age.
Through this transition, Coach Champion and his wife Judy have consistently trusted the Lord to lead and open doors. I remember having a conversation with Keith shortly after Pillsbury announced they were closing. I asked him what possibilities the future held. He mentioned the possibilities of teaching or administrating at some Christian schools, but then shared with me a question that he had asked his wife, “Judy, I’m a coach, aren’t I?” I’m sure that Judy’s reply was much the same as mine would have been, “Yes, Keith, you’re a coach”. The longer I thought about Keith’s question, the more I realized that he is more than just a coach. He is a coach’s coach. He is a godly leader and well-respected humble servant. Anyone who has ever played for him or coached against him has certainly realized this. Keith understands the real purpose of coaching. He knows that it’s not about building a resume, a program or a reputation. With Keith, coaching is about building young lives. Thankfully, Keith will continue to do this now at Clearwater Christian College. About a week ago, Clearwater announced that Coach Champion has agreed to coach their men’s basketball team and serve as assistant athletic director.
At CSPN we are thrilled that Coach Champion will continue to coach and impact young lives. We are also are grateful that he has agreed to serve on the CSPN Advisory Board. He has already contributed some articles to the Coach’s Corner. These articles are reprints from a weekly article called “From the Sidelines” that he used to write for the Owatonna People Press. Coach Champion always communicates a Biblical philosophy and ministry focus through his coaching and writing. We look forward to his valuable input in an advisory role for us at CSPN. We also look forward to seeing how God is going to continue using Coach Champion at Clearwater Christian College.
Coach Champion has coached in Christian schools and colleges for over 30 years. Most recently, Keith has been the athletic director and men’s basketball coach at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, MN. You may have been aware that the board of directors at Pillsbury voted to close the school this past December. Tough economic times and declining enrollment forced the board to make a very difficult decision and it abruptly left Coach Champion without a place to coach half way through the season. After 30 years in coaching, finding another place to coach posed a serious challenge. Keith’s resume is outstanding, but starting over again is never very easy. Most coaching vacancies would probably be filled with coaches half his age.
Through this transition, Coach Champion and his wife Judy have consistently trusted the Lord to lead and open doors. I remember having a conversation with Keith shortly after Pillsbury announced they were closing. I asked him what possibilities the future held. He mentioned the possibilities of teaching or administrating at some Christian schools, but then shared with me a question that he had asked his wife, “Judy, I’m a coach, aren’t I?” I’m sure that Judy’s reply was much the same as mine would have been, “Yes, Keith, you’re a coach”. The longer I thought about Keith’s question, the more I realized that he is more than just a coach. He is a coach’s coach. He is a godly leader and well-respected humble servant. Anyone who has ever played for him or coached against him has certainly realized this. Keith understands the real purpose of coaching. He knows that it’s not about building a resume, a program or a reputation. With Keith, coaching is about building young lives. Thankfully, Keith will continue to do this now at Clearwater Christian College. About a week ago, Clearwater announced that Coach Champion has agreed to coach their men’s basketball team and serve as assistant athletic director.
At CSPN we are thrilled that Coach Champion will continue to coach and impact young lives. We are also are grateful that he has agreed to serve on the CSPN Advisory Board. He has already contributed some articles to the Coach’s Corner. These articles are reprints from a weekly article called “From the Sidelines” that he used to write for the Owatonna People Press. Coach Champion always communicates a Biblical philosophy and ministry focus through his coaching and writing. We look forward to his valuable input in an advisory role for us at CSPN. We also look forward to seeing how God is going to continue using Coach Champion at Clearwater Christian College.
Monday, March 16, 2009
"Mercy Rule" shows no mercy
Did you hear that Team USA was beaten by Puerto Rico in the second round of the World Baseball Classic? The interesting thing about the game was not that Puerto Rico won - they are a team full of major-leaguers and are very talented. The amazing thing was that the final score was 11-1 in seven innings. No, the final two innings weren’t rained out. It was a “mercy rule” game. You know, when a team has a 10-run lead late in the game. Our best American professional baseball players were “mercy ruled”? How embarrassing is that!
I think the term “mercy rule” is a bit of a misnomer. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have a rule like this for certain competitions, but is it really necessary at the highest levels and should it really be called a “mercy rule”? I think our USA baseball team is talented enough that they could have come up with a couple of good rallies in the final two innings had they been given a chance. They do have some pride and I think some of them might have been humiliated by the seven-inning loss (in some cases, that may not be a bad thing).
Honestly, I can’t remember the last time that I had heard of the “mercy rule” being used. I remember it back when I was playing Little League baseball and church league softball 30 or 40 years ago. Back then, I think the primary reason for the rule was for the sake of time. In community recreation leagues there was a time limit on games and the “mercy rule” helped keep things on schedule. I understand the need to have such a guideline, but should it really be called “mercy rule”? It really doesn’t show mercy at all. It seems to be just a more obvious way to highlight an embarrassing defeat.
When it really comes down to it, showing mercy means that one shows compassionate leniency toward an enemy or a wrongdoer. According to Webster, it is a discretionary power to punish or to spare. It is a withholding of some form of punishment or judgment that was rightly deserved. God showed mercy to us in sending Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins. He withheld judgment for our sins and refrained from issuing the penalty of death that we all rightly deserved. He provided life for us through His Son when we deserved death and hell. I love the verses in Lamentations 3:22, 23 that say, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness”. Showing mercy to others is commanded in Luke 6:36 when the Bible says, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful”. How have you done recently at showing mercy to others that may have “deserved” your wrath?
While I think that our current sports culture has no idea of the true meaning of mercy, maybe we can use a sports situation when the “mercy rule” is applied to share the message of God’s mercy to us. Also, let’s be careful about running up the score. Obviously, you don’t want your players to give less than their best and there are some lopsided competitive situations that might be unavoidable, but we need to be careful about embarrassing an opponent. While I believe that there is an appropriate use of the “mercy rule”, let’s be sensitive to the feelings of the ones who may be on the receiving end of that “mercy”.
I think the term “mercy rule” is a bit of a misnomer. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have a rule like this for certain competitions, but is it really necessary at the highest levels and should it really be called a “mercy rule”? I think our USA baseball team is talented enough that they could have come up with a couple of good rallies in the final two innings had they been given a chance. They do have some pride and I think some of them might have been humiliated by the seven-inning loss (in some cases, that may not be a bad thing).
Honestly, I can’t remember the last time that I had heard of the “mercy rule” being used. I remember it back when I was playing Little League baseball and church league softball 30 or 40 years ago. Back then, I think the primary reason for the rule was for the sake of time. In community recreation leagues there was a time limit on games and the “mercy rule” helped keep things on schedule. I understand the need to have such a guideline, but should it really be called “mercy rule”? It really doesn’t show mercy at all. It seems to be just a more obvious way to highlight an embarrassing defeat.
When it really comes down to it, showing mercy means that one shows compassionate leniency toward an enemy or a wrongdoer. According to Webster, it is a discretionary power to punish or to spare. It is a withholding of some form of punishment or judgment that was rightly deserved. God showed mercy to us in sending Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins. He withheld judgment for our sins and refrained from issuing the penalty of death that we all rightly deserved. He provided life for us through His Son when we deserved death and hell. I love the verses in Lamentations 3:22, 23 that say, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness”. Showing mercy to others is commanded in Luke 6:36 when the Bible says, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful”. How have you done recently at showing mercy to others that may have “deserved” your wrath?
While I think that our current sports culture has no idea of the true meaning of mercy, maybe we can use a sports situation when the “mercy rule” is applied to share the message of God’s mercy to us. Also, let’s be careful about running up the score. Obviously, you don’t want your players to give less than their best and there are some lopsided competitive situations that might be unavoidable, but we need to be careful about embarrassing an opponent. While I believe that there is an appropriate use of the “mercy rule”, let’s be sensitive to the feelings of the ones who may be on the receiving end of that “mercy”.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
We're On the Same Team
“If the game of life ended tonight, would you be a winner?” This was a question often asked by Bobby Richardson, the well known New York Yankee second baseman of a bygone era. Richardson played in seven World Series and was the World Series MVP in 1960. He was also selected to the MLB All-Star game nine times and won five consecutive Gold Glove awards. Richardson often spoke of his faith in Jesus Christ and influenced many people with his testimony and challenge about the “game of life”.
One person who speaks of Bobby Richardson’s influence on his life is Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. In his new book, The Winner’s Manual - For the Game of Life, Coach Tressel shares a tremendous amount of material that he has collected over his years in competitive athletics and coaching. He has allowed Bobby Richardson’s question to help him keep a focus on what is really important in life. He says that “the information in this book is not so much about football as it is about life and what it really takes to succeed – emotionally, relationally, spiritually, and professionally”. The book is full of quotes, stories and thought-provoking questions that will help any athlete at any level develop a right perspective of sports and life. He addresses topics such as work, discipline, adversity, success, responsibility, faith and belief.
Having grown up as a Michigan Wolverine fan myself, you can probably imagine my hesitation to purchase, let alone recommend, a book written by an Ohio State Buckeye football coach. I grew up in Michigan during the 1960’s and 70’s. Remember Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes? I have great memories of the many battles between Michigan and Ohio State during that era and the wins that sent the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl. Obviously in the past few years, Ohio State has been the team going to the big bowl games and it has been hard not to cheer against them. However, I realized that Coach Tressel and I are really on the same team. We are both trying to influence others for the cause of Jesus Christ and for eternity through the opportunities available to us through coaching and sports. I hope that you will consider joining that team also. We need many more young coaches who will take the challenge to impact a new generation of athletes to seriously consider Bobby Richardson’s question. Are you prepared to help them answer it?
One person who speaks of Bobby Richardson’s influence on his life is Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. In his new book, The Winner’s Manual - For the Game of Life, Coach Tressel shares a tremendous amount of material that he has collected over his years in competitive athletics and coaching. He has allowed Bobby Richardson’s question to help him keep a focus on what is really important in life. He says that “the information in this book is not so much about football as it is about life and what it really takes to succeed – emotionally, relationally, spiritually, and professionally”. The book is full of quotes, stories and thought-provoking questions that will help any athlete at any level develop a right perspective of sports and life. He addresses topics such as work, discipline, adversity, success, responsibility, faith and belief.
Having grown up as a Michigan Wolverine fan myself, you can probably imagine my hesitation to purchase, let alone recommend, a book written by an Ohio State Buckeye football coach. I grew up in Michigan during the 1960’s and 70’s. Remember Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes? I have great memories of the many battles between Michigan and Ohio State during that era and the wins that sent the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl. Obviously in the past few years, Ohio State has been the team going to the big bowl games and it has been hard not to cheer against them. However, I realized that Coach Tressel and I are really on the same team. We are both trying to influence others for the cause of Jesus Christ and for eternity through the opportunities available to us through coaching and sports. I hope that you will consider joining that team also. We need many more young coaches who will take the challenge to impact a new generation of athletes to seriously consider Bobby Richardson’s question. Are you prepared to help them answer it?
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Memorable March Madness
Now that March has arrived, it’s time to get ready for the basketball “madness” that makes this time of the year so special. From “Cinderella stories” and underdogs to “buzzer beaters” and clutch free-throws, we all love seeing the bench players locking arms and pulling for their teammates. The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament is one of my favorite sporting events of the year. A team must win six straight “sudden death” games in order to capture the championship. The tournament can thrill your soul one moment and tear your heart out the next. What other sporting event can provide that kind of drama? Let me ask you, “What is your most memorable moment from past tournaments?”
I have so many memories of tournaments over the past 30 years that’s its difficult to select just one. However, if I was forced to, I would probably choose Bryce Drew’s buzzer beater shot in 1998 that defeated a heavily favored “Ole Miss” team and sent Valparaiso University on to the Sweet 16. Sure, there are other memories that are probably more significant in the history of the tournament, but this one stands out to me because of the father/son aspect. I remember seeing a photo in Sports Illustrated of the exact moment when Bryce was taking the shot. His father/coach, Homer Drew, was standing in the background, arms folded, calming watching the play develop. I can assure you that he wasn’t as calm after the shot went in. What a special moment for a father and son to share.
While I never experienced the same kind of situation that Homer and Bryce Drew shared, I did have the wonderful privilege of coaching my own son through four years of college. I have a lot of memories from those four years, but they are not just from what happened on the basketball court. We traveled from Anchorage, Alaska to Zambia, Africa playing basketball. Each trip provided the opportunity not just to play the game, but to share a message. The message was the gospel of Jesus Christ. Basketball opened many doors and gave us many shared experiences as father/coach and son. Whether it was in regular season competition, off-season mission trips, or summer basketball camps, we have great memories of serving the Lord together while enjoying the game of basketball.
Shortly after Bryce Drew’s dramatic shot we added the “Valpo” play to our “playbook” hoping that we might have an opportunity to use it sometime. Just two seasons ago, we had a game situation in which the play actually worked to perfection and we won a game with a “buzzer beater” shot. No, it wasn’t my son that made the shot, but the moment was still very special. It taught us that, “when the opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare”. We were prepared. Thank you Bryce and Homer Drew.
As you prepare for this year’s edition of March Madness why not take the time to share with the rest of us why a specific memory of March Madness stands out to you. Just click the comment button below and help us get ready for the madness to come.
I have so many memories of tournaments over the past 30 years that’s its difficult to select just one. However, if I was forced to, I would probably choose Bryce Drew’s buzzer beater shot in 1998 that defeated a heavily favored “Ole Miss” team and sent Valparaiso University on to the Sweet 16. Sure, there are other memories that are probably more significant in the history of the tournament, but this one stands out to me because of the father/son aspect. I remember seeing a photo in Sports Illustrated of the exact moment when Bryce was taking the shot. His father/coach, Homer Drew, was standing in the background, arms folded, calming watching the play develop. I can assure you that he wasn’t as calm after the shot went in. What a special moment for a father and son to share.
While I never experienced the same kind of situation that Homer and Bryce Drew shared, I did have the wonderful privilege of coaching my own son through four years of college. I have a lot of memories from those four years, but they are not just from what happened on the basketball court. We traveled from Anchorage, Alaska to Zambia, Africa playing basketball. Each trip provided the opportunity not just to play the game, but to share a message. The message was the gospel of Jesus Christ. Basketball opened many doors and gave us many shared experiences as father/coach and son. Whether it was in regular season competition, off-season mission trips, or summer basketball camps, we have great memories of serving the Lord together while enjoying the game of basketball.
Shortly after Bryce Drew’s dramatic shot we added the “Valpo” play to our “playbook” hoping that we might have an opportunity to use it sometime. Just two seasons ago, we had a game situation in which the play actually worked to perfection and we won a game with a “buzzer beater” shot. No, it wasn’t my son that made the shot, but the moment was still very special. It taught us that, “when the opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare”. We were prepared. Thank you Bryce and Homer Drew.
As you prepare for this year’s edition of March Madness why not take the time to share with the rest of us why a specific memory of March Madness stands out to you. Just click the comment button below and help us get ready for the madness to come.
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