Because it lasts

When we develop young athletes, we love to teach the skills necessary to help the team win. Tighten a crossover so they can break down their defender and change direction, or correct the balance on their shot to increase shooting percentage. But the most important thing a coach does for players is teach and model high character.

Athletes! Don’t waste a single opportunity to develop your character. Why would you allow yourself to not touch a line in a sprint? This is self-accountability. Do you have the courage to take a charge? Can you give to the team over yourself and the role you want? This develops your selflessness and humility. Play for the name on the front, not the back...how loyal can you be? Can you lose a game and treat the other team with respect?

Use sports to push yourself in areas of self control, honesty, grit, and accountability. Competing in sports has a definitive timeline, but sports can be a vehicle to lay the foundation of your character that will serve you the rest of your life. Sports provide you challenges that will cause you to face struggle, and force you to make decisions that will develop and reveal your character.

Remember, you will always have your character. Develop it.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." (MLK Jr.)