One of the rarest of all occurrences in college athletics happened this weekend. The University of Connecticut women’s basketball squad lost a home game at Storrs, Connecticut. After 99 consecutive home victories, the St. John’s Red Storm ended the UConn Huskies incredible streak that started March 6, 2007.
The winning streak emphasized the fact that the Huskies are truly one of the few authentic dynasties in sports. Players have come and gone, challengers have taken their best shots but the Huskies have maintained their elite level since 1985 when Geno Auriemma was hired to lead the Huskies. With a winning percentage of over 85%, the Huskies under Coach A have maintained their place (along with Tennessee) as the most dominant women's basketball program in NCAA history. As we have often heard in sports or any competitive endeavor, getting to the top is very difficult, staying there is almost impossible. Yet Auriemma charges have maintained that status with amazing consistency.
The questions becomes simply, “How?”
About 5 years ago, I asked Coach Auriemma to address a gathering of 35 of the top assistant women’s basketball coaches in the country (a program I started called Villa 7), to help prepare them to become Head Coaches. While Geno’s presentation might have lacked “political correctness”, the message was right on target and relevant for any leader whether in sports, business, politics or education. The crux of the message was simple, “don’t make excuses and don’t accept excuses!” In his inimitable way and in no uncertain terms, he challenged each to overcome every obstacle and make something big happen. He emphasized that leaders make things happen and do not focus on why something cannot be accomplished, but rather on what we need to do to make it happen.
With that attitude, Coach Auriemma built the Uconn program to a level of distinction comparable to John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins of the 1960’s and 70’s.
And while Auriemma and Wooden’s personalities are as different as daylight and darkness, they had one similar belief that provided the structure for their dynasties ------THEY WOULD NOT SETTLE. They demanded total commitment and did not relent as time went by. One of the difficult things for any leader is to maintain all the leadership traits that have brought them success early. Understand that naysayers and bureaucrats who build difficult barriers will continually challenge leaders who have the ultimate responsibility for the organization. Those situations tend to wear down the focus of even very good leaders.
We can all take a lesson from Geno from his relentless dedication to being the best. It is very tough not to have some of your focus chipped away throughout the years. While it may be human nature to become more mellow as time goes by, it is important not to settle. One good analogy is young teachers who begin their careers with a burning desire to help students learn, yet after fifteen years many teachers have lost their passion and are just going through the motions and collecting a paycheck. Every once in awhile each of us need to look at ourselves to re-energize and make sure we still have that same passion as when we started. Without question, Geno Auriemma still has that same that same drive as when he began the challenge of building a program at UCONN, a program that had one winning season in the history of the school prior to 1985, his first year at the helm. Great leaders have the strength and confidence not to get beaten down. Believe in yourself and all the good you are doing and most of all----DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING BUT THE BEST FROM YOUR TEAM.
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