Summer Learning

Summer Begins

I'm a lucky guy.  As a teacher I get a little time off in the summer.  I'm not going to lie, its one of the best parts of my job.  

The past five summers have begun with a trip to East Lansing, MI.  I know it isn't as glamorous as Key West or Paris, but for a Michigan State graduate and Spartan fan, it's fun nonetheless.  

My thirteen year old son, Owen, has attended the Tom Izzo Basketball Day Camp each of the last four years, and it has reaffirmed my belief that developing passions, whether athletic, artistic, intellectual, is and should be about more than just those passions. In this case, the saying "Ball is Life" is the most appropriate, albeit cliche, way to express my understanding.

I'd like to walk you through in detail one example of how Coach Izzo and his staff make sure the camp is about more than just basketball.  Then, I will relate a few things he says and suggest a way of applying them to life yourself.  

(Side note: these understandings I share are my own and are not necessarily shared or explained by the MSU Men's Basketball program.)

Hard Work is Modus Operandi:

Playing defense always comes first because defense sets the tone for everything else. Defense is about effort, awareness and energy.  It's fierce in its relentless pursuit of the challenge in front of you even a little bit nasty.  But it's also honorable.  It demands that you respect your challenge, that you take nothing for granted and that you see that challenge through to the end no matter the result.  It demands humility because no one will stop playing just because you happen to be there.  Defense isn't glamorous or "fun." It's essential.  It is that from which all other aspects of the game develop. 

Further, good defense embodies the right relationship with your teammates.  You have to get to know them, their talents and their tendencies, so you can work harmoniously.  You have personal responsibilities and you have team responsibilities.  You have to learn the right balance between those.  You get help from your teammates, and you help them. Most importantly, like all supportive relationships, you need to talk, talk, talk.  

Lastly, anyone can play defense and anyone can get good at defense.  Not everyone will be the superstar, but everyone is just as important as the superstar when it comes to team sports.

In this way, basketball teaches us about life. It teaches us that the essence of life isn't pleasure or fame or narcissism, the essence of life is purpose.  It teaches that you won't always win every individual battle, but you can win a lot.  It teaches that if you work well with others, you improve everyone's chances of success. It teaches you to honor the challenge, the team, the journey and the work.  It teaches that you are important because you live in relationship with a community and because you are working together for a larger purpose.

More Maxims from Coach Izzo

"Learn to listen. Listen to learn." 

This is one of my favorites. Notice the position of humility and the sense of purpose. Notice the attitude of respect for others and the intrinsic value of relationships.

"I don't want to see anyone here walking or sitting alone." 

The power of this statement anecdotally or metaphorically cannot be overstated.  Consider for a moment the times you have benefitted from or been a benefit to others in times of crisis, celebration or routine.  

"Line leaders! Get your lines straight!"

If you are a leader, lead. If you are not a leader, support. The trajectory of your life is determined in relation to others.  If you are out of line, expect to be called on it.  If you see others out of line, call them on it.  Whatever the case, figure it out together and don't resent others for trying to help the team be as "straight" as possible.

"I'm so proud of my guys for the way they've been this week. But this is the only time you'll hear me say that. And don't you go telling them nice things, or they might get a big head." 

First, tell others you value them.  Share your pride and satisfaction, but don't do it all the time for every little thing. Overvaluing the little, minimizes the big.  Praise enough so that when you hold people accountable, they know it is out of love. Accountability is about praise and correction.  It builds character and integrity.  Second, don't take things too seriously.  Humor is fun. Joking around is important.  But be sincere, too.

Final Thoughts

I don't know everything about the scandals or the investigations.  And I am certainly in no position to cast blame or pass final judgment.  But I can speak about what I hear and see.

Coach Izzo, his staff, the camp workers and the men's basketball players go out of their way to give the campers a great experience.  He and his players are totally accessible.  When I say totally accessible, I mean I talked with Izzo and his coaching staff every day.  I talked with at least one player every day.  We talked losses and wins, but we also talked character, religion and academics.  We talked about losing fathers, being role models and doing things the right way. 

It says a lot for a Hall of Fame coach and his pre-season #1 team to devote almost a week to kids and their parents, especially the way they do it. Hand shakes, eye contact, smiles and conversation. Did I mention, though, that before all that, they start each camp day with a work out on the floor at Breslin. In other words, as campers come in for the day, they watch their basketball heroes work and sweat.

One day after camp when my son was getting in some extra practice time, I stepped up to Cassius Winston, First Team All-American point guard, extended my hand and said, "I just wanted to know what it was like to shake hands with an All-American" and gave him my name. He laughed with a genuine smile and introduced himself, "Cassius Winston" as if I might not know.  I said, "Its nice to meet you." Still looking me in the eye, he said, "You, too." We talked a minute and I told him my son was getting extra time in.  He said, "A little extra work is always a good thing." Then we said good-bye, and he went back to joking around with his friends.  Totally humble and respectful.

It isn't just this year's All-American captain.  Last year my wife invited Anthony Ianni, former player and Big Ten Champion and current speaker, author and Autism advocate, to come speak to students at her elementary school and the district middle school.  Over dinner we convinced my son to introduce Anthony to all 900 students in his middle school the next day.  Together the conversation and Owen's introduction sparked a mentor-mentee relationship between the two.  They continue to communicate over social media, sharing inspirational quotes, checking in.  Anthony even volunteered to stay late after camp to work one on on with Owen and a friend.  He lives the relationship part, the integrity, the passion.

That's why I thank Izzo every year for "doing things the right way." I'm sure there have been difficult situations, decisions made in moral ambiguity, maybe even some things that have gone sour.  But I don't know about those, really.  I do know, though, that during the time my family is at that camp, the experience is one of integrity, character and passion. It teaches about basketball, but not just basketball.  It teaches that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.  Sometimes you make mistakes, and sometimes others do, too. Sometimes you make the right choice at the right time, and it means everything; sometimes you make the wrong choice, and it feels like everything. But always, always, work hard, stay humble, listen to learn, never walk alone and dream big.

So amidst the corruption and exploitation taking place in universities around the nation in and out of athletic departments, I remain hopeful about college basketball. And it isn't hope in my team's chances this year, or my son's chances of playing college ball.  It isn't hope in athletics generally, certainly not in the NCAA.  I'm hopeful because I see coaches teaching their players to teach kids.  I see the building of community and partnerships.  I see influential people using their influence to help others.  I see young people learning very important lessons about living a life of purpose and integrity and character.