WINNING AND LOSING

Every transformational Coach or Athlete desires to win. They compete with the goal of winning; however their purpose and value goes beyond the score board. Transformational Coaches and Athletes desire to compete at the highest level in their sport because they love their sport, they love to compete, and they love to push their capacities toward excellence in performance; not perfection. They hope in every game, match, or meet to showcase their preparation and their potential. Many of faith desire to use their performance and platform to Glorify God, the One who grants them their health and ability. But, transformational coaches look beyond the win at all cost; to process and development. They embrace the whole person and seek to develop mind, body, and spirit.

As you know, there are times when athletes do not perform at peak levels for various reason. Sometimes after performing with great wisdom, mental toughness, endurance, perseverance, and skill, the scoreboard reveals a less than desirable outcome. However, many in our current culture have made winning the purpose and the end all goal. Teams will fluctuate in their performance and often succumb to defeat because one or a few did not reach their optimum potential throughout the competition or even for a brief moment.
It is times like these where coaches and athletes must learn from the competition and the loss; but not land there. It's times like these where real competitors refocus, reset, and ready themselves for what lies ahead. They move forward with anticipation for the next opportunity to play the game they love, run the race to cut one fraction off their time, jump to heights never reached, or try some new play or technique.

Despite the outcome, they do not throw in the towel nor surrender. A coach or athlete will make the necessary adjustments mentally, emotionally, physically, strategically, and skillfully because they love the game, the competition, the challenge, the attempt to push themselves too their limit. They seek to perform in their sport because they enjoy the pursuit and the process as much as the outcome.

As a matter of fact, when a coach or athlete retires, it's not the long list of wins and losses that are remembered or missed; but the relationships, the camaraderie, the companionships, the environment, the sounds of the crowd, and even the smell of old gyms and locker rooms, as crazy as that might be.
I recently read the words of John Wooden that expressed these very thoughts. I would love to share them with you.

"Long before any championships were ever won at UCLA, I came to understand that losing is only temporary and not all-encompassing. You must simply study it, learn from it, and try hard not to lose the same way again. Then you must have the self-control to forget about it.

I've also learned that winning games, titles, and championships isn't all it's cracked up to be, and that getting there, the journey, is a lot more than it's cracked up to be.

Please understand that I wanted to win every single game I ever played in or coached. Absolutely. I wanted to win. But, I understood that ultimately the winning or losing may not be under my control. What was under my control was how I prepared myself and our team. I judged my success, my "winning," on that. It just made more sense.

I felt if we prepared fully we would do just fine. If we won, great; frosting on the cake. But, at no time did I consider winning to be the cake." (John Wooden; Wooden with Steve Jamison; 1997)

I would challenge each participant and fan to embrace sport for what it is... a challenge that builds character, team cohesion, motivation, confidence, mental and physical strength, leadership skills, and a tool for one to discover their purpose. I would challenge each participant and fan to embrace the purpose that Wooden embraced as much as the goal. I would challenge each participant and fan to realize that sport helps to develop and strengthen one's faith and spiritual growth, which produces many benefits, and helps one feel not only accomplished, but whole and complete.

As one who loves sports, coaches, and athletes, I want to remind you and myself that it's really not just about winning, it's about the journey… it’s about transformation, not transaction—Winning at all cost. Sports can bring out the best and worst in one’s heart and actions. However, sport, in the right context and attitude, is beneficial to the whole being and everyone who participates, follows, or cheers. Let’s evaluate our attitudes, actions, and outbursts and seek to bring God Glory in all we say and do.

​In grace and love, Pastor Shan
Indiana State University FCA
Nations of Coaches

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