After listening to Derek Jeter’s commencement address at the University of Michigan, I started wondering which other sports legends—past and present—might be speaking to the Class of 2025. As it turns out, this year’s lineup is impressive: Simone Biles (Washington University—St. Louis), Mia Hamm (University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill), Katie Ledecky (Stanford University), Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse University), and A.J. Brown (Ole Miss), to name just a few. Who would you want to hear?
I’m not sure why a search like this hasn’t been a regular part of my work in Sports and Spirituality. Every year, I check to see where the President is speaking—this year, it's the University of Alabama—and I never miss Notre Dame’s commencement. I’ve written about athletes like Roger Federer, Harrison Butker, and Haley Scott DeMaria when they’ve crossed my radar. From now on, a full search will be part of the routine.
When I read that Admiral Christopher Brady '84 was speaking to the Notre Dame Class of 2025, I took note. As an alum and Vice Chairman and Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I understood why the graduation committee asked him to give the address. With 41 years in the Navy, he said "I have been forged by the sea. But it really started right here — I believe I was forged at Notre Dame first." While a career in the armed forces is much different than one as a professional athlete, I had to wonder Would he? Could he? make a connection to Sports and Spirituality? I am pleased to report that he did. He was inspiring, interesting and his words still sit with me.
Like many speakers, Adm. Grady sought to create a connection with his audience. As someone who once sat in their shoes (albeit not inside Notre Dame Stadium, but the Joyce Athletic Convocation Center) he asked the graduates to pledge their allegiance. While choosing between South vs. North dining hall isn't new material, when he asked the class to declare Who is our number one rival: Ohio State? Clemson? Michigan? or USC? I was utterly delighted in by their response. Go Irish. Beat Trojans (we did). He made reference to all the sports I would need. So what of spirituality?
Grady said that "trust is a precious commodity." I heard those words and the spirit moved me. I leaned in. I listened hard. He said,
As a young officer, I learned that building and maintaining trust is essential to effective leadership, and that trust is built on a commitment to truth.
When I took command for the first time, I quickly learned that trust is a precious commodity.
First-time captains, as with any leader, have to learn to trust those around them, because no person can do it all, especially on a warship with over 300 people.
And first-time captains, especially, have to get over themselves as the only answer.
For me that came from trusting my command master chief, the ship’s senior enlisted sailor, who pulled me aside and said, “Look, captain, you’re good, but we can be great as a team if you trust the crew … we will speak truth to power if you let us.”
Now, we can debate whether trust is given or earned. But I can tell you trust is difficult to maintain, easy to lose, and — once lost — nearly impossible to get back.
And trust is built through the ruthless commitment to and pursuit of truth.
We ask, “What would you fight for?” and I answer, “truth” — truth is worth fighting for.
During every football game, the University runs an ad that asks that questions: What would you fight for? Students and professors share stories of their work, study, preoccupations that they find worth fighting for. Past responses have been: religious liberty, our country's mental health crisis, rare diseases and education reform. No part of their quest exists without trust and truth. It's integral to the fight.
As much as I love athletes and their contributions to society—art, entertainment, joy and awe, I was humbled by the work of Admiral Grady. Jeter spoke of failing his rookie season. It was challenging; it was real. But adversity, challenge and even failure have a different face in the Navy. He said,
In my line of work, that means that no plan survives first contact with the enemy.
My best days in command were not when everything went right, but when things went wrong, and the crew — the team — responded.
Like on a beautiful day off the coast of Bahrain when a routine voyage was interrupted by a catastrophic engineering failure, and the crew responded safely, expertly and swiftly.
Or when I was a strike group commander and we had to adjust to changing enemy tactics as we sent the air wing over the beach during the fight against ISIS.
The enemy was a learning adversary, but we learned and adapted faster.
You must do the same.
I turned to my friend and said "he just dropped ISIS on us. Not sure it gets more real than that." Or should I say truthful.
Though graduation speeches can be controversial, formulaic, biased and limited—I learn something from every one of them. At Notre Dame, we have the privilege of a second speech—from the the recipient of the Laetare Medal. This address is 100% spiritual in nature. It is the most prestigious award given to American Catholics by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Catholic Church and society. It had been conferred on saints, selfless leaders, men and women in religious life, lay people and more. This year's honoree—Kerry Alys Robinson is the president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities USA. She spoke a lot of sports, especially football.
I had to wonder if next year, the University might recognize a priest from the South Side of Chicago who has become the first American Pope. Stay tuned and rest assured I will let you know. It's part of my routine.
Blessings to the Class of 2025, to Admiral Grady and Kerry Robinson and all those who have helped these graduates and honorees in their search for truth and in building trust. Go Irish.
Photo Credits
Coach Free
Commencement Speaker