No Khakis
Every single person with whom I told that Harbaugh was the Keynote at the 2018 SOYSC in Kansas City had the same reaction/response/remark: commentary on his khakis. Mr. Khakis....I bet he will wear khakis...that's the coach who wears khakis. On one hand, it's surprising to me that this coach who has a lifetime record of 44-19-1 has been reduced to a pair of pleated, or no longer pleated pants. The other part of me gets it...it's branding, he's human, and those khakis have characterized more than a singular news story!
I Heart Football
Coach Harbaugh's love for football is infectious. "My goal as a player was to play as long as I can. My goal as a coach is to coach as long as I can....and then die." A number of attendees commented on his charisma, which is undeniable, but this quality combined with his sheer love of the game is compelling. He said, "football is the greatest game, ever." It's fair to say he had every single person considering these words as truth. He added, "I've heard too many athletes say I regret not playing football but I've never heard one say I regret playing football."
Given the state of high school sports today, I wish more athletes would consider his words and his belief in football. At Michigan football will take you to places like South Bend (this Fall!), a bowl game in January and in 2017, to the Vatican. "I wanted my players to experience a new culture, taste new food, hear other languages. My players had the chance to meet Pope Francis. I think it's important to learn about other faith traditions and for many of my players and for me, more about our own." For Harbaugh, football is the vehicle whereby young men compete, feel good about themselves and learn to put others (the team) before themselves. The fuel for all of it? Love.
Harbaugh recognized and thanked his mentors in the game. Of no surprise, his father— Jack—a former coach and now his next-door neighbor in Ann Arbor came at the top of his list. Next, Harbaugh said his coach at UM, Coach Bo Schembechler drilled just two words into his players' psyches. The team! The team! The team! was the mantra. Harbaugh confessed that his own immaturity as a college athlete got in the way of fulfilling this charge. He admitted the challenge to understand and embody those words, however, was a noble and worthy pursuit. He strives to help his own players understand the importance of The team! The Team! THE TEAM! today.
This team, however, is not as important as two other priorities. Before he married his (second) wife Sarah, her father told Jim he must live with his focus on faith, family, and football— in that order. Jim said that list is easy to remember but our actions can make it easy to forget. He said, "when I keep my priorities straight, I know I am living right." Not everyone needs to be a football coach to understand the truth of that matter.
Leadership, Competition, and Fun
I was able to ask Coach Harbaugh a question during a brief Q & A that followed his address. I told him I am from San Francisco and wanted him to know we have missed him, but things are also on the up and up (it's true! Thanks, Coach Shanahan and GM John Lynch). I inquired how he develops leaders and what he does to have fun with them.
Though honest, I found his response unsatisfactory. I think there is a lot that a football team, even on the D1 collegiate level do to form leaders. Young men who are 18, 19, 20 and 21+ years of age are not fully formed. Coaches, graduate assistants, and captains can and ought to play an important part in their formation. Feel free to disagree, but I left with a deeper appreciation for Brian Kelly after hearing Coach Harbaugh in this regard. I truly DO believe that BK and his staff take the formation of Notre Dame football players very seriously. I think they do much more than recruit leaders. The Irish have failed to become the leaders, alums like myself expect from those representing Our Lady's University; they have been held accountable. Others do so much to make us proud. And, when I heard Brian Kelly speak a few years ago, I heard him mention these players by name. This is something Coach Harbaugh did not do.
Coach Harbaugh did not answer my question on how he has fun with his players. I'm not sure I needed him to, for I think I know the answer. He has fun in competition. No one loves the thrill and challenge of competition more than he does. And that fact remains a bone of contention for all of us who watch him work. The word competition means "to strive together." A good competitor will raise the level of play for all those involved. Competition has come to mean winning...or victory...sometimes at all costs. I'm not convinced Harbaugh doesn't see competition the way I do. I wish we had more time to talk.
Coach Harbaugh came to Lenexa Kansas to speak to 200 coaches and athletic directors at the request of a friend. These two men became friends through the context of football, but I came to understand the nature of their friendship is rooted in so much more.
One of the most life-changing experiences for Coach Harbaugh has been his missionary efforts. Again, he traveled to this rural village of Piura, Peru at the invitation of a friend. Friendship for Harbaugh is a two-way street. Fortunately, we have learned of the mutual benefits and gains from those parties.
Coach Jim Harbaugh began his keynote address with an invitation for us to consider how athletics can and do serve as the cornerstone/foundation of building community. True Christian community is never inclusive of people who "think like me or act as I do." No, in Harbaugh, I came to see a man who has committed to building community—albeit it differently at times—in his own unique way...with passion, with commitment, with friends and family through football, with or without the khakis. Looking forward to seeing you again on Saturday, September 1 at Notre Dame stadium.
Photo Credits
Brothers Harbaugh
Faith and Football
Khakis
Rivalry
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SOYSC2018&src=typdSOYSC Tweet
No comments:
Post a Comment