The title of this article comes from longtime coach and now consultant, Jerry Krause of Gonzaga.
There are so many quotes and clichés that relate to athletics, especially when demonstrating leadership, on and off the field of play. I have found a bushel full of statements and quotes that not only focus on the mindset of the players and coaches in athletics, but have a lot to do with how we approach our existence as human beings.
As a coach and former basketball player, in high school and college, I do believe that sports are a cliché on life itself, and how we, as Americans, look at our lives through sports. I know that not everyone has played a sport, but there are more people who have played in their youth, especially men, like Little League, than ever before. Decades from long ago, athletics used to be gender dominated, which is no longer a truism in this modern era of sports as girls/women have taken to the field of play.
I have had my share of articles dedicated to the positive aspect of being involved as a member of a sports team. What seems to always be the underlying theme behind athletics is the development of leadership and how it prepares us for our future.
I have basically learned throughout my career in athletics, and in the classroom, that there is an underlying theme that isn't necessarily a part of the definition of leadership and its role. That is that you do not have to be one of the stars, or starters of the team to earn the title of leader.
The young man and young woman who might be a second stringer, who never misses practice, works hard, but doesn’t get a lot playing time, might deserve the title of being a team leader, one who truly leads by example!
As a basketball coach, I have been guilty of not giving some of those players, who fall into the category as a second stringer, more time in the games and for that I’m regretful. I should have been more aware of these unsung leaders, mainly because in my early years, at New Mexico Highlands University, I was one of those role players.
In 1980-81, when I coached men’s basketball at Skidmore College, I began to change my philosophical approach as a coach and went fairly deep into the bench. I believe it was part of the reason that we were 21-4. Not only did the reserves contribute in a significant way, but the starters got good breaks that kept them fresh. The biggest plus was that this philosophy created a more family-like environment among the players and coaches.
A few years ago I was a volunteer coach at Saratoga Springs High School, and I was able to see some of the silent leaders on the Blue Streaks boys’ basketball team who brought inspiration to the whole team. There was one particular young man, I’ll call him JM, who got very little game time, but his dynamic personality of rooting on his teammates, working hard in practice and encouraging his fellow players to stay focused made him an obvious team leader from within!
I can look over my career as a coach and see these athletes who I now understand as being leaders from within. Leaders who basically go unnoticed by most people, for the most part, because there isn’t a presence of their contribution during the games, but in reality, these are the players who sum up the true meaning of a team.
These athletes are the mold of what forms the meaning of a team and a big part of a team’s cohesiveness in their roles, in a quiet way, as unsung leaders.
My message to these unsung leaders is a note of gratitude of appreciation for their dedication!
Not always is it the one who scores the most points, hits the most home runs, or throws the most touchdowns who leads his or her team. These players have a real dream to see the team succeed, knowing that there are few kudos of appreciation coming their way. Their reward is a preparation for life, fostered by their cause!
