As we prepare to play Johns Hopkins this weekend in Baltimore we stress the necessity for cohesion and teamwork. Obviously two essential aspects of any sport played by a group of individuals working towards a common goal.
This is such a good group to work with – actually a great group. We are very young and inexperienced – but there is talent that is developing. I have said this before – when these guys are finished here at Moravian they will play on some very strong teams!
At this moment the situation is hard but not impossible! The fact is we have to go through our growing pains and each week will be a battle. But, so what! No one said it would be easy and certainly no one said it would be fair.
One of the most motivated people I know stopped by to visit the team on Wednesday. Bobby McClarin, a Naval Academy graduate and founder of the Five Hearts Project gave us all a lot to think about.
Bobby’s Dad – Bob – coached with us here at Moravian College. Another great man but decided to step away from coaching this year to enjoy some time with his wife who just retired in June. (Now he spends his time fooling around at his lake house and on his yacht on Lake Wallenpaupak – really, he would rather do that and drink beer than teach inside zone and pass protection to the running backs? Go figure!)
*Don’t worry Bob will get back to coaching next year when Joan gets tired of ordering him around! Seriously though it is pretty cool that they get to go yachting together every weekend!*
But it is easy to see that the “apple did not fall far from the tree.” The entire McClarin clan is a remarkable bunch and with Bobby creating the Five Star Heart Project right here in the Lehigh Valley. Our area is truly blessed to have this organization operating here.
Among other things this group puts on many activities to help this area’s youth. Although he targets kids who are at risk….but if you know Bobby at all – he is there for everyone in the Valley.
When you get some time check out Five Star Heart Project and how it came about and all they do for us. (thefivestarheartproject.org)
Bobby’s talk to the team was straight from his heart (and it is a strong heart) and right on point for our young and inexperienced squad. As coaches we all see this….but it is really fantastic to hear a notable man like Bobby voice it with such passion.
His comments stressed the value of being a great teammate and how as a unit we are truly the sum of our parts. There will always be great players on a team….but great teams are made up by members who will give selflessly of themselves regardless of their abilities.
When you are talking about football as a team sport – you are talking about a brotherhood. In a brotherhood you count on one another and believe that the man next to you will do anything in his power to help the group attain it’s goal.
It is the same as you proceed on down the line. When you look to any of your teammates you know the same selflessness exists in each and every one. Everyone pulls his weight and everyone is held to the same high standards.
We know that when the prize is on the line that we understand that the mindset is the same from man to man. We are going to achieve a high level because we are all striving to operate at the maximum of our abilities throughout our brotherhood.
Bobby also stressed the need to develop “grit.” Grit is more than just hanging in there – it is passion and perseverance over a long period of time. Continuing to work to attain your goals knowing that you will stumble along the way.
Check this out if you want to learn about grit!
Understanding that you are going to fall down over and over again – but that the champions will keep getting up and figuring out how to succeed. Success is not an overnight thing – the light just doesn’t come on one morning.
No, it takes many, many small steps. Incremental gains towards our goals. As I said it won’t be easy…nor will it always be fair. But we will stay with it and we will find a way to improve every day and in every game.
Our brotherhood – the Hounds – continues to work towards the goal of excellence. Every day we strive for it….each day we fall down and then get back up again. We slip – but we fix our mistakes and move forward.
I know these guys – and this is their mindset. They have the grit and the staying power to build this program into a consistent winner. Some will walk away – quit and lose their beliefs. Those who stay know it won’t be easy and there will be nay sayers at every turn.
But we don’t care what is going on the outside – we just work to help each of our brothers become the best that they can become. And, day after day we will develop this Greyhound Brotherhood into something special.
I can’t wait to see our guys line up and play this weekend – there will be mistakes. But, I promise you we will grow a little more during this game.
GO HOUNDS!