THE ENTERPRISE
A LESSON IN LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK
In case you were out of the country (or on some other planet), I should tell you that there was a very big college football game here in Columbus, OH this Saturday. It was the Ohio State vs. Michigan game. Normally this game is important because of the intense rivalry between OSU and Michigan. Since it falls at the end of the season for both teams, it often decides who wins the Big Ten conference title. That was the case this year, again. But this year, going into the game, Ohio State was ranked no. 1 and Michigan was ranked no. 2 in the US in college football, which made it a de facto National Championship game, (but 51 days too early to fulfill the BCS --that's the Bowl Championship Series--criteria).
MOMENTUM CHANGES
But I assume most of you know all this. By now, you may already know that Ohio State won the game 42-39, and led most of the way by 7-14 points. Michigan, to its credit, never gave up and just kept coming back, closing in. There was a point in the second half where Ohio State seemed to lose its momentum, and it looked like Michigan might catch Ohio State and blow past them. Then something happened, and I'll tell you what it was. But first some background is required.
THE COACH AND LAST RECRUIT
Ohio State has a coach (Jim Tressel) who does a superb job of teaching football and developing the character of his young football players. This is often not easy, since these superb young athletes frequently come from troubled backgrounds, experienced inner-city violence, and lack the normal values instilled during adolescent upbringing. Jim Tressel recruited one of those inner city kids from Cleveland 5 years ago. He was the last recruit that year, chosen because of his overall athleticism, not his particular qualifications at any position.
TROUBLES IN THE PAST--SOME DON'T MAKE IT
Over the first couple of years at OSU, this young man had his ups and downs, injuries and troubles. He was suspended from a Bowl game a couple of years ago for taking money for a job that wasn't really a job at all, (from a misguided booster, who wasn't thinking about NCAA regulations and the consequences of his actions.) Another young recruit in that class, Maurice Clarett became a "star" and an outstanding freshman running back on OSU's 2002 National Championship Team, but Coach Tressel couldn't work his magic on Clarett. He attained stardom too young, continued to listen to the wrong influences (some from his inner city youth, and some from selfish outside interests). Clarett went off track, way off track. He totally destroyed his chances at a professional football career, and he is now serving a 6+ year prison sentence.
THE LAST BECOMES THE BEST
The other recruit, the last one in the 'class" was "what happened" to OSU when it succeeded in an unbeaten season this year, including its 3rd win in a row over rival Michigan, and in the bowl game last year over Notre Dame. That young recruit will likely win the Heisman trophy this year as the country's most outstanding college football player. His name is Troy Smith. You see, after Troy Smith's early troubles, he started to listen to Coach Tressel. He didn't just listen; he "got it;" he became a real student of Tressel's philosophy and values, and of the game of football as Ohio State planned to play it.
LEADERSHIP--IN ITS TRUEST SENSE
Most of all, what Troy Smith became was a LEADER WHO REFUSED TO LET HIS TEAM LOSE. His team knew it and since he has been quarterback, they have almost never lost. I contend it is because the team knows that with Troy at the quarterback position and leading the team on the field, they simply will not, cannot accept defeat. What happened when OSU "went flat" in the 3rd quarter was that Troy clearly "spoke" to his teammates in the huddle, and I mean with considerable vigor and emotion. You couldn't hear the words on TV, but since 70% of communications in non-verbal, the message he was conveying was absolutely clear to anyone who's ever played team sports. It was simply that he would not tolerate and would not permit the team to lose--and the team respects him, and he them, so much, that they immediately responded. It was visibly evident.
IT TAKES TALENT TOO--BUT MORE THAN THAT
Sure, OSU has a wealth of talent, great coaching, a good game plan, and 105,000 rabid fans in the "Horseshoe." But the one thing that sets all winners apart is that talent needs a strong, passionate and talented leader. I watched the post-game press conference. The words spoken by the team captains, but especially by Troy Smith were unique. Smith spoke about their hard work, preparation, focus and commitment. They all spoke about how they loved their teammates. Over and over, Troy Smith emphasized how much HE loved his teammates. And they spoke respectfully of a worthy opponent. in Michigan as a very good team Most of all, they presented themselves in a way that must have made Coach Tressel as proud of them as he was of the victory.
WHO KNOWS HOW THIS WILL PLAY OUT--BUT IT WILL BE WITH "CLASS"
Living in Columbus, I get to see far more than the normal amounts of interviews with the OSU players and coaching staff--especially Coach Tressel and Troy Smith. I am delighted that the team won. I am even more delighted with the way the leaders of the team--especially its Coach and its field leader, Troy Smith conducted themselves. In today's media crazy, "I'm out for myself" world it was incredibly refreshing--and encouraging. Whatever happens in the "official" national Championship game on Jan. 8, tonight was a "National Championship" ...of how a coach and his team goes about winning.
And it was one hell of a game,
Best, John
PS: One last thought--on current events:
IT'S HARDER TO GOVERN THAN TO CRITICIZE
If there was a theme to the past week+, the first one since the Democrats won control of Congress, is that it's much harder to govern (and solve problems) than it is to criticize those who are doing it. Now "the shoe is on the other foot," and the foot is perilously close to being in the mouth of those who thought they could do better. Time will tell. I hope something good happens--BI-PARTISANLY!
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