The Texas Tech men’s
basketball team finished #2 in the nation in the NCAA tournament! It was the first Tech team to make it past
the Sweet 16, to the Elite 8, Final 4 and then to play for the National
Championship. And the games came with a
price. The players unplugged from even
good things, sacrificed, and exerted extra effort to pursue their goals.
Texas Tech Coach Chris
Beard is not a big cell phone fan when it comes to giving 100% attention and
focus to basketball. The phones are
banned at team meetings and meals. At a
two-day retreat, the phones were collected so the players could spend time
getting to know each other in ways more than just basketball. They sang karaoke, asked specific questions to
learn more about each other, and began the process of becoming family, more
than just teammates.
By February 9, the Tech
team had lost 3 straight road games.
Senior captain, Norense Odiase suggested that his teammates bag up their
phones before bed so they could “Get locked in with no distractions.” Some protested more than others, but the
extra rest and win established a routine.
Now the coaches collect the cell phones the night before games so the
players can rest and focus on the game.
Tariq Owens’ stated, “Just to be able to get away from it, live in the
moment, feels great. I know this for a
fact, not a lot of teams would be happy about it. This is the kind of culture we have. We’re locked into more important things than
cell phones.” Even though he has been
given grief for the cell phone ban idea, Odiase reminds all of us, “Your phone
will always be there, your friends will always be there, notifications, all
that stuff, will always be there in the morning. Just get some rest.”
Coach Chris Beard also
has some mantras to remind his players of the importance of staying focused and
prepared for the game.
4:1
It’s 4 parts mental to
one part physical.
The
secret is in the dirt
It’s the extra training,
exercising in the weight room, working out with the team or alone in an empty
gym that makes a difference.
Burn
the boats
Stay committed and don’t
give up.
Don’t
lose your chip
This was a saying that
was brought to the forefront several times during the season. Senior Matt Mooney explained, “We have a lot
of guys who aren’t five-star guys, a coaching staff and Coach Beard who came
from a mid-major and started out coaching random teams, and working his way
up. A lot of our guys are the same way. We just try to embrace that, you know, we
weren’t the highest recruited guys but that doesn’t mean we can’t compete with
the best in the country.” Even though
the Tech team was predicted to finish in seventh place in the Big 12, the mantra
reminded the players to not lose the mentality that helped them win and make it
to the Finals.
When the Texas Tech
basketball players and coaches arrived back in Lubbock from the Championship
Finals, Red Raider fans packed United Supermarkets Arena for a welcome home
celebration. After the rally, as
cameramen were loading up their equipmnent and the fans, coaches, and players were
leaving the arena, freshman guard Kyler Edwards was spotted retrieving two
basketballs from the locker room and heading back to the court to shoot baskets. Next year there is still one additional net that
the Tech players want to be able to cut down.
And may we, too, be
willing to unplug, sacrifice, and exert the extra effort to accomplish and
finish the goals and race set out for each of us.
Blessed
is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that
person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who
love him.
James 1:12
You
need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive
what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:36
Not
only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4
Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the
pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the
cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
No comments:
Post a Comment