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 Doing what you say, and saying what you do, goes along way to who you are
By Bob Rathbun
You may not realize it, especially if you are still in grade school, but one of the major benefits the On Court Player Development® program offers is that it helps build character. When you build character, you create habits. And from these habits, you create your reputation. Your good reputation is something you will never want to lose. I am reminded daily about the steep price that athletes and coaches pay when their behavior undermines their reputation. Sometimes the damage is so bad that it appears in their obituary when they die.
Just ask Louisville Cardinal Coach Rick Pitino, who’s off the court troubles made national headlines longer than it really warranted. Pitino’s private life, which included an admitted scandalous affair, became a far too public matter.
Before the fall, Pitino referred to reputation as “branding.” For the past 30 years, the iconic coach had carefully crafted the public persona of a winner. In fact, few would argue that the Pitino brand was among the best selling in college sports: five Final Fours, 552 wins and a national title at Kentucky in 1996. He has co-authored three motivational books and become a sought-after public speaker while endorsing everything from fast food to video games.
What about today? Some argue that his message will be sullied forever.
This is but one example of good reputations gone bad. There are scores more. As a young basketball player, your reputation is still being formed. The fact that play you basketball brings you more notoriety than the average student. The fact that you work hard to earn a uniform puts you in some distinguished company: the student/athlete.
You know the demands the game puts on your schoolwork, your family time and your social life. Each of these can eat up your day. And when you get on the court, there are even more demands, such as performance, teamwork, people skills, courage, will and determination.
It could be easy to slip up. That’s why programs such as On Court are important to you – they help you stand tall amid all these demands. Of course, there is always the easy way out. Not giving your best. Not thinking of the team as a whole. Violating your team and family code of conduct.
It is best to stay true to yourself and let the world see the real you. Think of what happened to the Rick Pitinos of the world. Your reputation is your greatest ally.
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