I compare each team, each season and every school year to a journey. Each one is a new and exciting adventure. Every journey begins by taking that first step. The first step is always the most exciting and challenging because choosing the right path will determine whether one’s trip will be fruitless or plentiful.
When students come back to school each year, they look forward to all the opportunities that await them: The classes they will take, the friends they will make or the experiences they will have. Whether that first step is playing in a football game, preparing to graduate from the University or finding out what challenges await in the workforce, to be successful one needs a plan.
The first step of the “journey” for our student athletes is to set high academic goals and to achieve those goals. I expect our team to have the same commitment to academics that it has to winning a championship. This is something that we stress to our team and to prospects we recruit for the University.
When choosing materials for the journey, the first item on the list for our student athletes is a commitment to mental and physical toughness. Many student athletes at the University will take classes over the summer, some will work with companies in their internships, and some will work around town, but all make a pact to work out daily and get to know their teammates. Part of that commitment is memorialized in a Team Pledge they make. This covenant lists actions they are willing to take and the sacrifices they are willing to make so they can succeed in their journey. Many students at the University have made sacrifices that others are not aware of so they can begin their own journey. All students offer something special and are willing to work hard to make themselves better and prepare for their journey.
After the materials are gathered, you must be willing to continue taking steps. As coaches we often refer to it as: “Installation plus concentration equals implementation.” When you have installed a game plan, the players need to concentrate on their assignments so they can implement and execute the plan. If they focus on their goal and the methods they have learned, they should be able to attain these goals and continue on their journey. Success occurs when preparation meets opportunity.
As many of you know, a journey is often time-consuming and cannot be accomplished without a few bumps in the road. There is truth in the common cliché “take it one game at a time.” We must focus on the here and now. We can’t start looking at the end of the season when we are preparing for the first game. It’s a long season, and if things don’t go well at first, one must have the composure to regather resources and continue on. A poor grade on the first test does not lock one into a poor grade for the course as long as one works to change the outcome. A second cliche, “the game ain’t over till it’s over,” means that just because things start out great doesn’t mean one can relax. One has to compete on every play, from the first snap to the whistle, for four full quarters and for the entire season.
During the academic term, we urge our students not to get complacent in the classroom. There is usually a direct link to success on the field and success in the classroom, and that link is a strong work ethic. When you want something, you need to be willing to work hard for it, even if it doesn’t come easily or immediately. Building a solid foundation makes the journey easier.
Our football team’s journey is divided into several goals. First, we set goals for ourselves academically. Our students will strive to be the best they can be in the classroom. We are proud to be at an institution that allows us to boast about how outstanding the faculty and staff are, how bright the students are and how the curriculum is one of the best in the Pac-10. Second, we have a goal to be positive role models in the community. When our players walk through campus or around town, we want the students, faculty and staff to be proud of the student athletes representing them. Third, we want to represent the campus as the best football program in the country. We are striving to win the national championship, and we can only do that if we have the same type of support we have had in the past. We hope the students, faculty, staff and everyone in the community continue to make this the toughest place in the country for our opponents to play. We will continue to give you 100 percent, and I hope together we can do what it takes for our journey to end in a championship.
When you begin this school year, think about your journey and what you will need to prepare for it, navigate it and be successful. Good luck and have a great year. Go Ducks!