It has been said that “winning isn't everything, it’s the only thing.”  What is forgotten in this phrase is that there are many ways to win.  If we should continuously build champions who have learned nothing of honor and integrity, of humility and ethic, have we all not lost?  Are our organizations and society as a whole not worse off than before we began?  He who is trained in nothing but winning at all cost is little more than a predator.  We see the adverse result daily in the headlines – sport taught them nothing – and it risks becoming imprinted upon millions of youth that such things are tolerable, if not acceptable; often even emulated.  By teaching nothing at all, the only lesson being learned, by default, is “that’s what champions do; that’s how they behave.”

 

And so, we ask, what it the soldier without humanity?  What is the statesman without integrity?  What is any citizen, devoid of the principles which should be imbued in us all?  Much as children are born to families rich and poor financially, they are born into families both rich and poor morally (without correlation to wealth.)  Sport affords them the opportunity to receive a wealth of training which they may not receive anywhere else.

 

To win and to lose, with humility, honor and respect for the opportunity, the opponent and ourselves.  To play within rules, refusing to sacrifice integrity for glory.  To work well with others and assist them in their own achievements, recognizing that without maximizing the team, winning becomes impossible.  To strive and sacrifice to do even better, no matter how far we've come.  These are what make true champions in both sport and in life.

 

Sports are not real life.  Engaged properly, however, they are nothing short of the laboratory for building better people who will lead better lives to the benefit of all.

 

Victory with humility is a wonderful thing; mastering failure without collapse is every bit as valuable.  The Center for Athletic Excellence was created to help those in positions of leadership, develop the skills needed to champion future leaders.