Sports – Page 5 – Fast:Forward Farther

March 24, 2016March 22, 2016

Major Assist

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament continues tonight… and perhaps the most surprising remaining participant is Texas A&M. Not because they aren’t worthy; however, when you’re down 10 with less than 40 seconds remaining in your second round game, it’s unlikely you’ll win and advance. (‘Unlikely’ as in never happened before in the history of college basketball.)

Watching those moments unfold Sunday night – with Northern Iowa continually turning the ball over under the Texas A&M basket, including twice failing to execute the always sure-fire ‘bounce it off your opponent’s leg and out of bounds’ play – there was clear evidence of a lack of leadership for the Panthers.

(Why didn’t the player inbounding the ball run the baseline to create some space between himself and the defender, and give his teammates a better chance to get open? Why didn’t the coach tell them to throw the ball to the other end of the court, so, even if the Aggies intercepted, time would run off the clock? Basic situational plays high school teams practice.)

In moments of distress, someone has to have the presence of mind to take control – ‘Everybody be quiet and listen to me’ – and provide guidance on what needs to happen to ensure success.

“Neither talent without instruction, nor instruction without talent can produce the perfect craftsman.” ~ Vitruvius

Former Students of Texas A&M University like to say, “Aggies Never Quit,” and in this instance – even with the unprecedented help from UNI – it was clear their basketball team adhered to that long-standing mantra. (Not so much for the dozens of Tweets I saw from media during the last two minutes of the game congratulating Northern Iowa and commenting on the Aggies’ missed opportunity.)

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe

December 31, 2015December 14, 2015

Lessons Learned – #2

Two more remain. The #2 lesson I learned during 2015:

Clear Foresight – Two years ago in this same issue, I advised you to keep an eye on a talented youngster who might become golf’s next superstar. In 2015, that athlete far surpassed the future I envisioned – winning two Majors, becoming world number one and being named PGA Player of the Year. Of the many accolades announcers use to describe Jordan Spieth – tough competitor, incredible putter, humble person – the best I heard is the 22-year-old has an amazing ability to put the last hole behind him. That’s a skill of great business leaders, too: Let yesterday pass. Focus on the now.

March 19, 2015March 18, 2015

String Music

During the past 11 years and three months I have written 135 monthly issues of my e-newsletter – originally titled “The Franchisee Focus” and rebranded four years later to “Fast:Forward” to reflect the expansion of my coaching practice into the corporate world.

I finished issue #4 around 11 p.m. on April 5, 2004, immediately following the Championship game of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, having watched Connecticut defeat Georgia Tech. My storyline in that missive focused on how the committee ranks every team on an S-Curve from one to 64 and seeds the bracket accordingly.

One of the key points referred to a franchisor client that “has an outstanding management team, a strong product in a growth industry and a solid marketing approach. Yet, like many franchise systems, their franchisees are not achieving the results they or the franchisor expect. Put in sports terms, they have a good game plan, but their execution is coming up short.”

As the Tournament begins today, my premise remains valid. The difference between a champion and everyone else often comes down to which team plays together best during March Madness. And, except for this year’s undefeated favorite Kentucky, it isn’t always the most talent that reaches the summit. Terrific coaching and a desire to excel often determine who cuts down the nets just before CBS signs off with “One Shining Moment.”

April 29, 2014

Clipped Words

At some point during J360 – Media Law (circa 1981), our class learned First Amendment freedom of speech gives you the right to not be arrested for speaking your mind. That’s as long as you don’t put anyone in harm’s way by your words. The old joke was: “You have the right to yell ‘Theater’ in a crowded fire.”

Earlier today NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life for racist comments recorded by his girlfriend. Some talk radio callers questioned how Sterling could be punished so harshly for speaking his mind. Those folks, of course, miss the intent of the law. While the billionaire has every right to say what he feels without fearing arrest, that doesn’t mean there won’t be repercussions.

If I spew hatred in these blog messages, a policeman will not likely come knocking and take me away in handcuffs. There is, however, a strong possibility all of my clients would immediately fire me and media would be camped out on my doorstep… ready for the traditional ‘No Comment’ or ‘My website was hacked” when they ask about my writings.

Sterling didn’t suddenly become a racist overnight. He was exposed and the world learned he’s another in a long list of ugly old white guys. Maybe his fast fall will be a wakeup call to other hate mongers. As Sacramento mayor – and former All-Star Kevin Johnson – said: “I hope that every bigot in this country sees what happened to Mr. Sterling and recognizes that if he can fail, so can you.”

April 1, 2013April 1, 2013

Maintaining Course

Part two of two: Yesterday – after a long weather delay – D.A. Points held on to overcome charges by better-known Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson and win the Shell Houston Open. This was the 36-year-old journeyman’s second career victory on the PGA Tour. Two years ago, the University of Illinois graduate captured the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

While life on the Tour appears to be all glamour, the truth is it’s a grind. Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy finished playing late Friday. On Saturday, my son and I arrived at Redstone Golf Club as the sun was peaking over the horizon. The practice and putting greens were filled with ‘fellow competitors.’ Phil and Rory – who barely made the cut – walked up within a few minutes, stretched, then started hitting wedges and slowly working through their bags until finishing with a few drives, some putts, and heading to the first hole. Then it was four hours of intense concentration, media interviews, a break for lunch and back to the practice tee.

In reality, the two stars utilized this tournament as a warm-up for The Masters in two weeks. Points, on the other hand, needs to make every dollar he can. It’s been a long road. He tried and failed four times to earn his playing card. In 2005, he finally made it through the torturous qualifying school, then missed the cut in 17 of 32 tournaments. In professional golf, you only get paid when you play on the weekends. Otherwise you go home… and incur all the expenses.

Points lost his card, failed to qualify twice more before making it back in 2009. While he still missed 46 cuts in 103 tournaments through 2012, his official winnings peaked at $2,000,000 in 2011, thanks to the victory at Pebble Beach. This year he was off to a rough start, missing cuts in seven of nine tournaments before breaking through here in Houston.

While being a golf star brings with it millions of dollars, the majority of players struggle to remain among the top 125 money winners each year and keep their playing privileges. To steal a line from the film Trading Places, the PGA Tour is “the last bastion of real pure capitalism on earth.” To survive takes skill, athleticism, stamina, discipline and mental toughness. Spend a day on the course watching even unknown players and you’ll be impressed. You’ll also want to encourage your kids to have Plan B.