Life Isn't A Brief Candle

From a character in Shaw's "Man and Superman":

"...I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no "brief candle" to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

Leadership & Vision

• Management of attention through vision is the creating of focus.
• Intensity coupled with commitment is magnetic.
• Vision grabs.
• Initially it grabs the leader and management of attention enables others also to get on the bandwagon.
• Coaches need unbridled clarity about what they want from their players.
• Vision needs to bring about a confidence of the followers.

Edwin H. Land, founder Polaroid
"The first thing you naturally do is teach the person to feel that the undertaking is manifestly important..."

Vision animates, inspirits, and transforms purpose into action.

The Power of the Huddle

To Richard Lapchick, UCF professor, DeVos Sport Business Management Program Chair, Director of both the National Consortium for Academics and Sports and the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports, there’s more. Epiphanies of injustice shaped the racial conscience of Dr. Lapchick, molding him into a champion for equality in sports and society.

Dr. Lapchick often speaks of the power of sports that comes out of the huddle. Inside the huddle it doesn't matter if you are black/ white, rich/poor, Christian/Jewish, etc.

Dr. Lapchick encourages coaches and players to take the "power of the huddle" from the court to the classroom, to the boardroom and use the power throughout society.

High Post Shooting Workout

The key to improvement is Repetition & Intentionality.  Below is a simple High Post Workout we use as a part of our skill development.

High Post Shooting Workout
7 Reps at each of the  3 Shots
1.  V-Cut & Catch at FT line--Jump Shot
2.  V-Cut & Catch at FT line and Shotfake 1 Dribble Pull-Up
3.  V-Cut & Catch at FT line, then finish at the basket with left hand, right hand, jump hook, etc. Key is different finishes.

Goal of making 17 of 21 shots

UCF Women's Basketball To Honor Coach Summitt In Alzheimer's Walk

One of the greatest learning experiences for me each year while on the staff at the University of Tennessee was the first team meeting when we discussed the Definite Dozen. We discussed each element as a group. We talked about what each meant to us and Pat would share what each meant to her.

After receiving the news about Pat's diagnosis, I went through a notebook that I have with all of my notes from our Definite Dozen meetings. Number 11 from the Definite Dozen jumped out at me--"Change Is A Must".

Recently, George Diaz, of the Orlando Sentinel called me about the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's  and our team participating. Our staff and team are excited to be a part of this event. George and I spoke about his mother suffering through disease, my first hand knowledge of the disease and the effects on a family.  My wife lost grandparents from both sides of her family over the last few years from the disease. 

My first year at Tennessee was Kara Lawson's senior season. Then, as now, Kara is very proactive.  After learning of Coach Summitt's diagnosis, Kara nad her husband made plans to raise funds and honor Coach Summitt. To learn more about Kara and her plans click here--Kara's Plan To Honor, Kara's Fundraiser

The UCF Women's Basketball Team is uniting with Kara and so many others to honor Coach Summitt and raise awareness of Alzheimer's. We ask that you participate. Find a local walk, or any event. Pledge to support Kara or our UCF Team or a group in your local community.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at gbrown@athletics.ucf.edu.

Our team is participating in the Walk To End Alzheimer's on October 22nd at Lake Eola in Orlando.

I'm sure Coach Summitt will approach this "Change" in her life as she does every part of her life by using her Definite Dozen Philosophy to guide her.

 I chose a "dozen" thoughts from "Change Is A Must " from my notebook.

1. Everything in life changes, transitions.
2. You do your best and we are here to help you.
3. There is always change, but something special brought you here.
4. Keep your confidence through change.
5. Change can equal self-improvement.
6. Push yourself to places you haven't been before.
7. There must be change before there's growth.
8. Change is the opposite of security and familiarity.
9. Overcoming fear is the most broadening thing in the world, if you make yourself do it.
10. Success in any field is about who is best able to change fluidly.
11. In any line of work, you have to be able to adust to emergencies. THings rarely go as planned, no matter how meticulously you keep your appointment book or how organized your planner is.
12. Think about all the reasons we resist change. Change can make you feel out of control. But, in fact, if you learn to be comfortable with it, the opposite will be true: You will find yourself in charge of every situation.

Success & Simplicity

Success Lies in the Simplicity,

Confusion Lives in Sophistication

8 Qualities To Develop When Building Trust

We know that before anyone buys into a vision/ goal they must buy into the "person".  To develop the "buy-in" it all comes down to trust.

Trust is a characteristic that must be developed like a skill.  List below are 8 qualities that we must model to develop trust.:

1. Integrity--hold fast to this
2. Attitude--only thing we have control over. Colors the way people see us when we engage.
3. Focus--on our vision, not getting caught up in "things"
4. Initiative--Do the things that must be done.
5. Insight--Study, aspire for wisdom
6. Perseverance--"is a good substitute for talent"--Steve Martin
7. Excellence--pursuing in all things
8. Vision--begin with the end in mind