good evening it’s a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to be a part of
to have the opportunity to be a part of
to have the opportunity to be a part of such a special event and I’m thrilled to
such a special event and I’m thrilled to
such a special event and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share some
have the opportunity to share some
have the opportunity to share some thoughts with you tonight for most of my
thoughts with you tonight for most of my
thoughts with you tonight for most of my life I’ve been involved with sports
life I’ve been involved with sports
life I’ve been involved with sports whether as a youth athlete high school
whether as a youth athlete high school
whether as a youth athlete high school athlete a major fan of most sports I had
athlete a major fan of most sports I had
athlete a major fan of most sports I had the opportunity to play for a men’s
the opportunity to play for a men’s
the opportunity to play for a men’s tennis program at Gustavus and
tennis program at Gustavus and
tennis program at Gustavus and experience that absolutely changed my
experience that absolutely changed my
experience that absolutely changed my life I’ve been fortunate to be able to
life I’ve been fortunate to be able to
life I’ve been fortunate to be able to teach people of all ages at tennis and
teach people of all ages at tennis and
teach people of all ages at tennis and life camps I’m honored to be the the
life camps I’m honored to be the the
life camps I’m honored to be the the current men’s tennis coach at Gustavus
current men’s tennis coach at Gustavus
current men’s tennis coach at Gustavus as a professor in the philosophy
as a professor in the philosophy
as a professor in the philosophy department I guess Davis I get to teach
department I guess Davis I get to teach
department I guess Davis I get to teach sport ethics and sport philosophy to our
sport ethics and sport philosophy to our
sport ethics and sport philosophy to our students as a researcher I study sport
students as a researcher I study sport
students as a researcher I study sport and and moral development how can how
and and moral development how can how
and and moral development how can how can what we do in sport make our lives
can what we do in sport make our lives
can what we do in sport make our lives better make us better people throughout
better make us better people throughout
better make us better people throughout all of those contexts and in the many
all of those contexts and in the many
all of those contexts and in the many years that that I’ve been on the journey
years that that I’ve been on the journey
years that that I’ve been on the journey of doing sport as an important part of
of doing sport as an important part of
of doing sport as an important part of my life
my life
my life and being a part of the sport
and being a part of the sport
and being a part of the sport experiences in other people’s lives as
experiences in other people’s lives as
experiences in other people’s lives as well
well
well one question keeps coming up over and
one question keeps coming up over and
one question keeps coming up over and over again and that question is why why
over again and that question is why why
over again and that question is why why sport we think so much of our time so
sport we think so much of our time so
sport we think so much of our time so much of our energy so much of our life
much of our energy so much of our life
much of our energy so much of our life so much of our resources and and often
so much of our resources and and often
so much of our resources and and often times so much of our identity into
times so much of our identity into
times so much of our identity into playing these dumb games so much goes
playing these dumb games so much goes
playing these dumb games so much goes into it and in every one of those
into it and in every one of those
into it and in every one of those contexts we keep and I keep coming back
contexts we keep and I keep coming back
contexts we keep and I keep coming back to the question of why why do we do it
to the question of why why do we do it
to the question of why why do we do it why is it so important why is it so
why is it so important why is it so
why is it so important why is it so meaningful why do we think so much into
meaningful why do we think so much into
meaningful why do we think so much into playing sports and and as I thought
playing sports and and as I thought
playing sports and and as I thought about my own experience playing and as I
about my own experience playing and as I
about my own experience playing and as I thought about the students that I get a
thought about the students that I get a
thought about the students that I get a chance to work with and the guys on the
chance to work with and the guys on the
chance to work with and the guys on the team who I spend a lot of time with the
team who I spend a lot of time with the
team who I spend a lot of time with the thing that kept coming up for me over
thing that kept coming up for me over
thing that kept coming up for me over and over again
and over again
and over again though the the the the the most
though the the the the the most
though the the the the the most important thing that kept coming to the
important thing that kept coming to the
important thing that kept coming to the surface was that we all have a need to
surface was that we all have a need to
surface was that we all have a need to let go we all have a need to let go of
let go we all have a need to let go of
let go we all have a need to let go of something and in sports were especially
something and in sports were especially
something and in sports were especially susceptible to being defined by what we
susceptible to being defined by what we
susceptible to being defined by what we accomplished
accomplished
accomplished we’re always measured based on our
we’re always measured based on our
we’re always measured based on our results we rarely engage in the endeavor
results we rarely engage in the endeavor
results we rarely engage in the endeavor of letting go but if we’re gonna do
of letting go but if we’re gonna do
of letting go but if we’re gonna do sports on purpose it occurs to me and
sports on purpose it occurs to me and
sports on purpose it occurs to me and and and it’s been a part of my
and and it’s been a part of my
and and it’s been a part of my experience that perhaps the most
experience that perhaps the most
experience that perhaps the most important thing we can do as we engage
important thing we can do as we engage
important thing we can do as we engage in sports is to learn how to let go
in sports is to learn how to let go
in sports is to learn how to let go learn how to be engaged but not defined
learn how to be engaged but not defined
learn how to be engaged but not defined by the results when we step onto the
by the results when we step onto the
by the results when we step onto the athletic field of play and hopefully if
athletic field of play and hopefully if
athletic field of play and hopefully if we can learn how to do that it can give
we can learn how to do that it can give
we can learn how to do that it can give us some understanding of what that might
us some understanding of what that might
us some understanding of what that might look like when we move into other
look like when we move into other
look like when we move into other contexts in our life and other things
contexts in our life and other things
contexts in our life and other things that we do if we can do that if that can
that we do if we can do that if that can
that we do if we can do that if that can be a purpose of sport if it can be about
be a purpose of sport if it can be about
be a purpose of sport if it can be about more than just winning stuff and and and
more than just winning stuff and and and
more than just winning stuff and and and scoring points then perhaps sport can be
scoring points then perhaps sport can be
scoring points then perhaps sport can be a little bit more meaningful than than
a little bit more meaningful than than
a little bit more meaningful than than just playing a game I want to share a
just playing a game I want to share a
just playing a game I want to share a story with you about a couple young men
story with you about a couple young men
story with you about a couple young men that I had the opportunity to work with
that I had the opportunity to work with
that I had the opportunity to work with her in my early years coaching at
her in my early years coaching at
her in my early years coaching at Gustavus there they are right there the
Gustavus there they are right there the
Gustavus there they are right there the guy in the light-colored shirt his name
guy in the light-colored shirt his name
guy in the light-colored shirt his name is Amrit donkey Knights from Rochester
is Amrit donkey Knights from Rochester
is Amrit donkey Knights from Rochester Minnesota again the dark colored shirt
Minnesota again the dark colored shirt
Minnesota again the dark colored shirt his name is Maya Smith Dennis he’s from
his name is Maya Smith Dennis he’s from
his name is Maya Smith Dennis he’s from Burnsville these guys became a doubles
Burnsville these guys became a doubles
Burnsville these guys became a doubles partnership for us at Gustavus and in
partnership for us at Gustavus and in
partnership for us at Gustavus and in 2012 I’m Rick was already on the team
2012 I’m Rick was already on the team
2012 I’m Rick was already on the team he’d played for us for a few years Maya
he’d played for us for a few years Maya
he’d played for us for a few years Maya had actually transferred from a Division
had actually transferred from a Division
had actually transferred from a Division one school the pressure of the results
one school the pressure of the results
one school the pressure of the results had made tennis no longer be fun for him
had made tennis no longer be fun for him
had made tennis no longer be fun for him and he wanted to come back to Gustavus
and he wanted to come back to Gustavus
and he wanted to come back to Gustavus and play the Division three level we
and play the Division three level we
and play the Division three level we were thrilled to have him and as we
were thrilled to have him and as we
were thrilled to have him and as we looked at our team and start that year
looked at our team and start that year
looked at our team and start that year these guys on paper look like they would
these guys on paper look like they would
these guys on paper look like they would be an outstanding doubles team for us
be an outstanding doubles team for us
be an outstanding doubles team for us athletically they had they had all the
athletically they had they had all the
athletically they had they had all the tools serve return volleys speed
tools serve return volleys speed
tools serve return volleys speed quickness power they look like they
quickness power they look like they
quickness power they look like they would be they would be gold but you
would be they would be gold but you
would be they would be gold but you never know how these things are going to
never know how these things are going to
never know how these things are going to materialize Maya showed up we started
materialize Maya showed up we started
materialize Maya showed up we started practicing we thought we’d give them a
practicing we thought we’d give them a
practicing we thought we’d give them a try and they got off to a great start
try and they got off to a great start
try and they got off to a great start and during
and during
and during of course the year they lost a handful
of course the year they lost a handful
of course the year they lost a handful of matches maybe three or four during
of matches maybe three or four during
of matches maybe three or four during the whole fall and spring season
the whole fall and spring season
the whole fall and spring season combined but they won almost 30 times
combined but they won almost 30 times
combined but they won almost 30 times they played number one doubles for us
they played number one doubles for us
they played number one doubles for us they took everybody’s best shot and
they took everybody’s best shot and
they took everybody’s best shot and after having such an outstanding season
after having such an outstanding season
after having such an outstanding season they were honored by the NCAA to be one
they were honored by the NCAA to be one
they were honored by the NCAA to be one of the 16 doubles teams out of all the
of the 16 doubles teams out of all the
of the 16 doubles teams out of all the Division three teams in the country over
Division three teams in the country over
Division three teams in the country over 350 teams they were honored as one of
350 teams they were honored as one of
350 teams they were honored as one of the doubles teams to participate in the
the doubles teams to participate in the
the doubles teams to participate in the NCAA national Division three doubles
NCAA national Division three doubles
NCAA national Division three doubles championships the 16 best play for the
championships the 16 best play for the
championships the 16 best play for the national title that comes at the very
national title that comes at the very
national title that comes at the very end of at the very end of the spring
end of at the very end of the spring
end of at the very end of the spring season I was thrilled they were thrilled
season I was thrilled they were thrilled
season I was thrilled they were thrilled I had taken over just a few years
I had taken over just a few years
I had taken over just a few years earlier one of the most successful
earlier one of the most successful
earlier one of the most successful collegiate sport programs in the history
collegiate sport programs in the history
collegiate sport programs in the history of college sports the men’s tennis
of college sports the men’s tennis
of college sports the men’s tennis program at Gustavus had taken over for
program at Gustavus had taken over for
program at Gustavus had taken over for the winningest coach in the history of
the winningest coach in the history of
the winningest coach in the history of college tennis and a person who’s
college tennis and a person who’s
college tennis and a person who’s affected and impacted positively more
affected and impacted positively more
affected and impacted positively more lives than anybody I’ve ever heard of
lives than anybody I’ve ever heard of
lives than anybody I’ve ever heard of coach Steve Wilkinson who was like a
coach Steve Wilkinson who was like a
coach Steve Wilkinson who was like a father to me it was a feather in my cap
father to me it was a feather in my cap
father to me it was a feather in my cap it was a part of my identity
it was a part of my identity
it was a part of my identity to have a doubles team to qualify for
to have a doubles team to qualify for
to have a doubles team to qualify for the NCAA tournament at least I thought
the NCAA tournament at least I thought
the NCAA tournament at least I thought that was an important piece of the
that was an important piece of the
that was an important piece of the puzzle as we prepared for the tournament
puzzle as we prepared for the tournament
puzzle as we prepared for the tournament as we got ready we lost in the round of
as we got ready we lost in the round of
as we got ready we lost in the round of 16 our team did that year and so I’m
16 our team did that year and so I’m
16 our team did that year and so I’m Rick and I were the only two guys
Rick and I were the only two guys
Rick and I were the only two guys continuing to practice and we had guys
continuing to practice and we had guys
continuing to practice and we had guys from the team come out and help support
from the team come out and help support
from the team come out and help support them and when we try to do everything we
them and when we try to do everything we
them and when we try to do everything we possibly could to get them ready but at
possibly could to get them ready but at
possibly could to get them ready but at the end of a long season they were
the end of a long season they were
the end of a long season they were approaching the last week or two of the
approaching the last week or two of the
approaching the last week or two of the semester moving into final exams they
semester moving into final exams they
semester moving into final exams they were nicked up and beat up physically
were nicked up and beat up physically
were nicked up and beat up physically and and and mentally and emotionally
and and and mentally and emotionally
and and and mentally and emotionally from taking everybody’s best shot
from taking everybody’s best shot
from taking everybody’s best shot throughout the course of the entire year
throughout the course of the entire year
throughout the course of the entire year and as we were practicing every day we’d
and as we were practicing every day we’d
and as we were practicing every day we’d come out and practice leading up to the
come out and practice leading up to the
come out and practice leading up to the week leading up to the tournament and
week leading up to the tournament and
week leading up to the tournament and they seemed to find a way to practice
they seemed to find a way to practice
they seemed to find a way to practice worse than they had the day before
worse than they had the day before
worse than they had the day before nothing was going right we couldn’t find
nothing was going right we couldn’t find
nothing was going right we couldn’t find two guys on our team to come out and
two guys on our team to come out and
two guys on our team to come out and lose to him on purpose to build their
lose to him on purpose to build their
lose to him on purpose to build their confidence a little bit they were having
confidence a little bit they were having
confidence a little bit they were having trouble with I mean this was an
trouble with I mean this was an
trouble with I mean this was an all-american tandem one of the most
all-american tandem one of the most
all-american tandem one of the most talented two players and one of most
talented two players and one of most
talented two players and one of most talent teams in the country they were
talent teams in the country they were
talent teams in the country they were having trouble with just over the net
having trouble with just over the net
having trouble with just over the net and inside the lines I mean that was our
and inside the lines I mean that was our
and inside the lines I mean that was our only goal for the week of preparation
only goal for the week of preparation
only goal for the week of preparation and that was a struggle and every day we
and that was a struggle and every day we
and that was a struggle and every day we play practice matches and we do drills
play practice matches and we do drills
play practice matches and we do drills and they get worse and worse and the
and they get worse and worse and the
and they get worse and worse and the frustration was mounting and finally I
frustration was mounting and finally I
frustration was mounting and finally I remember going home and talking to my
remember going home and talking to my
remember going home and talking to my wife she
wife she
wife she she was pregnant and nearing the end of
she was pregnant and nearing the end of
she was pregnant and nearing the end of being pregnant with our first child and
being pregnant with our first child and
being pregnant with our first child and I was a little bit nervous about leaving
I was a little bit nervous about leaving
I was a little bit nervous about leaving town so close so close to what could
town so close so close to what could
town so close so close to what could potentially be birth time and I said
potentially be birth time and I said
potentially be birth time and I said honey it’s gonna be a short trip don’t
honey it’s gonna be a short trip don’t
honey it’s gonna be a short trip don’t worry well we’ll be home on the first
worry well we’ll be home on the first
worry well we’ll be home on the first flight back to Minnesota the tournament
flight back to Minnesota the tournament
flight back to Minnesota the tournament was in Cary North Carolina so we’ll be
was in Cary North Carolina so we’ll be
was in Cary North Carolina so we’ll be on the first flight on the way home from
on the first flight on the way home from
on the first flight on the way home from Raleigh Durham within 12 hours of the
Raleigh Durham within 12 hours of the
Raleigh Durham within 12 hours of the opening round of the doubles the way
opening round of the doubles the way
opening round of the doubles the way this thing is going it was a gray
this thing is going it was a gray
this thing is going it was a gray afternoon in st. Peter I vividly
afternoon in st. Peter I vividly
afternoon in st. Peter I vividly remember sitting down with I’m Rick and
remember sitting down with I’m Rick and
remember sitting down with I’m Rick and Maya after the last practice and and and
Maya after the last practice and and and
Maya after the last practice and and and we had a conversation in which we talked
we had a conversation in which we talked
we had a conversation in which we talked about the three of us what our goals
about the three of us what our goals
about the three of us what our goals would be and what their goals would be
would be and what their goals would be
would be and what their goals would be for the event and winning it seemed to
for the event and winning it seemed to
for the event and winning it seemed to be the furthest thing from any of our
be the furthest thing from any of our
be the furthest thing from any of our minds and and I was so grateful that
minds and and I was so grateful that
minds and and I was so grateful that they made the suggestion that we go back
they made the suggestion that we go back
they made the suggestion that we go back to what our program was all about we go
to what our program was all about we go
to what our program was all about we go back to our core philosophy our core
back to our core philosophy our core
back to our core philosophy our core values what we call the three crowns
values what we call the three crowns
values what we call the three crowns three things that we talked to our guys
three things that we talked to our guys
three things that we talked to our guys about all the time that we talked to all
about all the time that we talked to all
about all the time that we talked to all our tennis and life campers about that
our tennis and life campers about that
our tennis and life campers about that coach had been talking to four
coach had been talking to four
coach had been talking to four generations of for four decades and and
generations of for four decades and and
generations of for four decades and and many many generations of gustavus tennis
many many generations of gustavus tennis
many many generations of gustavus tennis players about what we named in the early
players about what we named in the early
players about what we named in the early 2000 we call the three crowns first the
2000 we call the three crowns first the
2000 we call the three crowns first the choice to give your best effort whether
choice to give your best effort whether
choice to give your best effort whether you win or whether you lose whether you
you win or whether you lose whether you
you win or whether you lose whether you play well or play poorly this is always
play well or play poorly this is always
play well or play poorly this is always within your control it says something
within your control it says something
within your control it says something about who you are as a person if you can
about who you are as a person if you can
about who you are as a person if you can continue to give your best effort no
continue to give your best effort no
continue to give your best effort no matter what the circumstances they
matter what the circumstances they
matter what the circumstances they agreed we’d commit to doing that no
agreed we’d commit to doing that no
agreed we’d commit to doing that no matter what happened at the tournament
matter what happened at the tournament
matter what happened at the tournament the second the choice to be positive
the second the choice to be positive
the second the choice to be positive again win or lose play well or play
again win or lose play well or play
again win or lose play well or play poorly no matter what happens that’s
poorly no matter what happens that’s
poorly no matter what happens that’s outside your control the choice to be
outside your control the choice to be
outside your control the choice to be positive is yours
positive is yours
positive is yours they embraced it it doesn’t mean saying
they embraced it it doesn’t mean saying
they embraced it it doesn’t mean saying you won when you lost it doesn’t mean
you won when you lost it doesn’t mean
you won when you lost it doesn’t mean giving yourself an award and calling
giving yourself an award and calling
giving yourself an award and calling yourself a winner if you’ve played
yourself a winner if you’ve played
yourself a winner if you’ve played poorly or you’ve lost and you feel good
poorly or you’ve lost and you feel good
poorly or you’ve lost and you feel good about your performance
about your performance
about your performance it means you will do everything that you
it means you will do everything that you
it means you will do everything that you possibly can to find the one or two good
possibly can to find the one or two good
possibly can to find the one or two good things in every set of circumstances
things in every set of circumstances
things in every set of circumstances that’s good and that’s positive in
that’s good and that’s positive in
that’s good and that’s positive in yourself you’re gonna see yourself that
yourself you’re gonna see yourself that
yourself you’re gonna see yourself that way gonna see your partner that way you
way gonna see your partner that way you
way gonna see your partner that way you know see your opponents that way you’re
know see your opponents that way you’re
know see your opponents that way you’re gonna see everybody that way and then
gonna see everybody that way and then
gonna see everybody that way and then the third the highest standard of
the third the highest standard of
the third the highest standard of sportsmanship no matter how anyone
sportsmanship no matter how anyone
sportsmanship no matter how anyone treats you you always have control over
treats you you always have control over
treats you you always have control over how you treat others because it’s the
how you treat others because it’s the
how you treat others because it’s the right thing to do because you believe in
right thing to do because you believe in
right thing to do because you believe in justice because you believe in care
justice because you believe in care
justice because you believe in care because you believe in respect
because you believe in respect
because you believe in respect they made that commitment
they made that commitment
they made that commitment we were gonna go there and do those
we were gonna go there and do those
we were gonna go there and do those three things no matter what the other
three things no matter what the other
three things no matter what the other thing they committed to was being
thing they committed to was being
thing they committed to was being grateful what an opportunity despite the
grateful what an opportunity despite the
grateful what an opportunity despite the fact that they were playing poorly this
fact that they were playing poorly this
fact that they were playing poorly this was a golden opportunity this was
was a golden opportunity this was
was a golden opportunity this was something that not a lot of people not a
something that not a lot of people not a
something that not a lot of people not a lot of tennis players get an opportunity
lot of tennis players get an opportunity
lot of tennis players get an opportunity to experience they were going to embrace
to experience they were going to embrace
to experience they were going to embrace it with gratitude they were gonna have
it with gratitude they were gonna have
it with gratitude they were gonna have fun they’re gonna be great partners
fun they’re gonna be great partners
fun they’re gonna be great partners their commitment to each other was in
their commitment to each other was in
their commitment to each other was in between every point they would go to
between every point they would go to
between every point they would go to each other they’d smile
each other they’d smile
each other they’d smile they’d make physical touch with a
they’d make physical touch with a
they’d make physical touch with a high-five or a fist bump they’d say
high-five or a fist bump they’d say
high-five or a fist bump they’d say something positive they make eye contact
something positive they make eye contact
something positive they make eye contact they did encourage each other so that
they did encourage each other so that
they did encourage each other so that they could empower one another to be at
they could empower one another to be at
they could empower one another to be at their best and enjoy the moment we
their best and enjoy the moment we
their best and enjoy the moment we didn’t know if we’re gonna play well I
didn’t know if we’re gonna play well I
didn’t know if we’re gonna play well I didn’t think we’re gonna play lai
didn’t think we’re gonna play lai
didn’t think we’re gonna play lai thought we’re gonna go there and get
thought we’re gonna go there and get
thought we’re gonna go there and get killed and I think a part of them did
killed and I think a part of them did
killed and I think a part of them did too we got on the plane we headed out we
too we got on the plane we headed out we
too we got on the plane we headed out we practiced a little bit we played our
practiced a little bit we played our
practiced a little bit we played our first round match against the University
first round match against the University
first round match against the University of Texas Tyler we came out we put a
of Texas Tyler we came out we put a
of Texas Tyler we came out we put a little bit better than we were playing
little bit better than we were playing
little bit better than we were playing at st. Peter but still not very good
at st. Peter but still not very good
at st. Peter but still not very good match started it was 1 1 it was 2 2 was
match started it was 1 1 it was 2 2 was
match started it was 1 1 it was 2 2 was 3 3 was kind of tight in the first set
3 3 was kind of tight in the first set
3 3 was kind of tight in the first set both teams are sort of feeling each
both teams are sort of feeling each
both teams are sort of feeling each other out and we were making some airs
other out and we were making some airs
other out and we were making some airs that that throughout the course of
that that throughout the course of
that that throughout the course of season we didn’t usually make I’m wicked
season we didn’t usually make I’m wicked
season we didn’t usually make I’m wicked Maya would continue to come into the to
Maya would continue to come into the to
Maya would continue to come into the to the chairs and sit down on the change of
the chairs and sit down on the change of
the chairs and sit down on the change of ends and they had smiles on their faces
ends and they had smiles on their faces
ends and they had smiles on their faces and they were cracking jokes
and they were cracking jokes
and they were cracking jokes they had clearly stayed committed to
they had clearly stayed committed to
they had clearly stayed committed to letting go of being defined in this
letting go of being defined in this
letting go of being defined in this experience by what they accomplished
experience by what they accomplished
experience by what they accomplished with the results and and and and they
with the results and and and and they
with the results and and and and they come in and and they’d sit down and we’d
come in and and they’d sit down and we’d
come in and and they’d sit down and we’d talk about the strategy and they’d share
talk about the strategy and they’d share
talk about the strategy and they’d share a smile and they’d give me a smile and a
a smile and they’d give me a smile and a
a smile and they’d give me a smile and a high-five and they’d go back out and
high-five and they’d go back out and
high-five and they’d go back out and keep plugging away keep doing the best
keep plugging away keep doing the best
keep plugging away keep doing the best that they could they’re down a set point
that they could they’re down a set point
that they could they’re down a set point in the first set of that opening round
in the first set of that opening round
in the first set of that opening round match miss Texas Tyler and they managed
match miss Texas Tyler and they managed
match miss Texas Tyler and they managed to wiggle out of it the other team got a
to wiggle out of it the other team got a
to wiggle out of it the other team got a little bit tight too and and and they
little bit tight too and and and they
little bit tight too and and and they won the first set they went on to win
won the first set they went on to win
won the first set they went on to win the second set they won the opening
the second set they won the opening
the second set they won the opening round match now they’re all Americans
round match now they’re all Americans
round match now they’re all Americans they’re in the quarterfinals of the
they’re in the quarterfinals of the
they’re in the quarterfinals of the tournament we start going through the
tournament we start going through the
tournament we start going through the same routine and prepare again in the in
same routine and prepare again in the in
same routine and prepare again in the in the quarterfinal match we got lucky we
the quarterfinal match we got lucky we
the quarterfinal match we got lucky we played a great team from Bates College
played a great team from Bates College
played a great team from Bates College but-but-but one of their two players had
but-but-but one of their two players had
but-but-but one of their two players had made it two rounds through to the
made it two rounds through to the
made it two rounds through to the singles and it played two tough
singles and it played two tough
singles and it played two tough three-set matches he could barely he
three-set matches he could barely he
three-set matches he could barely he could barely walk to start this doubles
could barely walk to start this doubles
could barely walk to start this doubles quarterfinal we jumped them earlier won
quarterfinal we jumped them earlier won
quarterfinal we jumped them earlier won the first set 6-1 won the second set in
the first set 6-1 won the second set in
the first set 6-1 won the second set in a close tie break 76 and before you know
a close tie break 76 and before you know
a close tie break 76 and before you know we’re in the national semis national
we’re in the national semis national
we’re in the national semis national semis rolls around we played a team from
semis rolls around we played a team from
semis rolls around we played a team from Mary Washington that we didn’t match up
Mary Washington that we didn’t match up
Mary Washington that we didn’t match up against they did some things that
against they did some things that
against they did some things that countered American Maya strengths well
countered American Maya strengths well
countered American Maya strengths well again found ourselves down 5-3 in the
again found ourselves down 5-3 in the
again found ourselves down 5-3 in the first set another set point managed to
first set another set point managed to
first set another set point managed to wiggle out of it and not this time they
wiggle out of it and not this time they
wiggle out of it and not this time they come back and they win this
come back and they win this
come back and they win this and now I can start to hear people
and now I can start to hear people
and now I can start to hear people because the size of the tournament
because the size of the tournament
because the size of the tournament shrinks in terms of participants as you
shrinks in terms of participants as you
shrinks in terms of participants as you move forward but the amount of
move forward but the amount of
move forward but the amount of spectators grows and I can hear people
spectators grows and I can hear people
spectators grows and I can hear people buzzing that in some colleagues of mine
buzzing that in some colleagues of mine
buzzing that in some colleagues of mine and some friends of mine at Cochin world
and some friends of mine at Cochin world
and some friends of mine at Cochin world are saying I’m gonna go back and I’m
are saying I’m gonna go back and I’m
are saying I’m gonna go back and I’m gonna make our doubles teams look just
gonna make our doubles teams look just
gonna make our doubles teams look just like these guys because they are so
like these guys because they are so
like these guys because they are so loose they are so free they are so
loose they are so free they are so
loose they are so free they are so confident I don’t know if they were very
confident I don’t know if they were very
confident I don’t know if they were very confident I just know they were
confident I just know they were
confident I just know they were committed to letting go of the result
committed to letting go of the result
committed to letting go of the result okay they were committed to being
okay they were committed to being
okay they were committed to being defined by what they accomplished in
defined by what they accomplished in
defined by what they accomplished in this competitive context they managed to
this competitive context they managed to
this competitive context they managed to win the match against Mary Washington
win the match against Mary Washington
win the match against Mary Washington and and bang were were in the national
and and bang were were in the national
and and bang were were in the national championship match again we went from
championship match again we went from
championship match again we went from not getting it over the net and inside
not getting it over the net and inside
not getting it over the net and inside the blue part to playing for all the
the blue part to playing for all the
the blue part to playing for all the marbles in a matter of a week’s time but
marbles in a matter of a week’s time but
marbles in a matter of a week’s time but this was different we were playing the
this was different we were playing the
this was different we were playing the number one doubles team from Amherst
number one doubles team from Amherst
number one doubles team from Amherst College who was the number one team in
College who was the number one team in
College who was the number one team in the country they had two all-americans
the country they had two all-americans
the country they had two all-americans two seniors we were not favored to win
two seniors we were not favored to win
two seniors we were not favored to win the match we did everything we could to
the match we did everything we could to
the match we did everything we could to stay in the zone we did I did I was
stay in the zone we did I did I was
stay in the zone we did I did I was pulling on all three we went to the same
pulling on all three we went to the same
pulling on all three we went to the same coffee shop we all heard the same drinks
coffee shop we all heard the same drinks
coffee shop we all heard the same drinks we listened to the same music we did all
we listened to the same music we did all
we listened to the same music we did all those crazy superstitious things you can
those crazy superstitious things you can
those crazy superstitious things you can do just to try to stay in the moment to
do just to try to stay in the moment to
do just to try to stay in the moment to try not to think about how big the
try not to think about how big the
try not to think about how big the circumstances were getting and and and
circumstances were getting and and and
circumstances were getting and and and we showed up at the event we did the
we showed up at the event we did the
we showed up at the event we did the same warm-up we hit for the exact same
same warm-up we hit for the exact same
same warm-up we hit for the exact same amount of time everything we had the
amount of time everything we had the
amount of time everything we had the same conversation live the three crowns
same conversation live the three crowns
same conversation live the three crowns no matter what happens have fun okay let
no matter what happens have fun okay let
no matter what happens have fun okay let go of the result let go and just let it
go of the result let go and just let it
go of the result let go and just let it fly how many people get a chance to play
fly how many people get a chance to play
fly how many people get a chance to play in a match this fun and they came out
in a match this fun and they came out
in a match this fun and they came out and they played the perfect match as a
and they played the perfect match as a
and they played the perfect match as a coach it was exactly what you dream of
coach it was exactly what you dream of
coach it was exactly what you dream of goosebumps thinking about watching them
goosebumps thinking about watching them
goosebumps thinking about watching them open that match they broke serve in the
open that match they broke serve in the
open that match they broke serve in the first game they served absolutely
first game they served absolutely
first game they served absolutely beautifully they held serve without
beautifully they held serve without
beautifully they held serve without facing a breakpoint through the first
facing a breakpoint through the first
facing a breakpoint through the first set they win the first set 6-4 they’re
set they win the first set 6-4 they’re
set they win the first set 6-4 they’re on fire they’re running they’re clapping
on fire they’re running they’re clapping
on fire they’re running they’re clapping my phones blowing up in my pocket
my phones blowing up in my pocket
my phones blowing up in my pocket because people are watching on the
because people are watching on the
because people are watching on the livestream I’m scared to look at eclair
livestream I’m scared to look at eclair
livestream I’m scared to look at eclair don’t wanna jinx anything right
don’t wanna jinx anything right
don’t wanna jinx anything right seven consecutive sets there one set
seven consecutive sets there one set
seven consecutive sets there one set away from the national championship and
away from the national championship and
away from the national championship and the levels just rising and rising I was
the levels just rising and rising I was
the levels just rising and rising I was one of the best Division three college
one of the best Division three college
one of the best Division three college tennis matches I’ve ever seen won one in
tennis matches I’ve ever seen won one in
tennis matches I’ve ever seen won one in the second two two in the second three
the second two two in the second three
the second two two in the second three three in the second at three three they
three in the second at three three they
three in the second at three three they get the guy to crack he gets a second
get the guy to crack he gets a second
get the guy to crack he gets a second serve break point down we run exactly
serve break point down we run exactly
serve break point down we run exactly the kind of play that were running Maya
the kind of play that were running Maya
the kind of play that were running Maya hits and over head over the fence bang
hits and over head over the fence bang
hits and over head over the fence bang for three we’re up a break we haven’t
for three we’re up a break we haven’t
for three we’re up a break we haven’t been broken in two days we’re up a break
been broken in two days we’re up a break
been broken in two days we’re up a break we got a hold serve two more times
we got a hold serve two more times
we got a hold serve two more times Maya comes out he’s got one of the best
Maya comes out he’s got one of the best
Maya comes out he’s got one of the best serves in Division three college tennis
serves in Division three college tennis
serves in Division three college tennis comes out the next service game hits for
comes out the next service game hits for
comes out the next service game hits for rockets boom boom-boom-boom the ball
rockets boom boom-boom-boom the ball
rockets boom boom-boom-boom the ball hasn’t even come back we’re out five
hasn’t even come back we’re out five
hasn’t even come back we’re out five three one game away from the national
three one game away from the national
three one game away from the national championship they come out in the three
championship they come out in the three
championship they come out in the three five game and they just swing freely
five game and they just swing freely
five game and they just swing freely right there letting go everything’s
right there letting go everything’s
right there letting go everything’s feeling great they win two points and
feeling great they win two points and
feeling great they win two points and Hurst wins two points they run a perfect
Hurst wins two points they run a perfect
Hurst wins two points they run a perfect play to get to thirty forty match point
play to get to thirty forty match point
play to get to thirty forty match point for the national title i’m rick is
for the national title i’m rick is
for the national title i’m rick is returning on the ad side they’ve got a
returning on the ad side they’ve got a
returning on the ad side they’ve got a left-hander on the ad side and the guys
left-hander on the ad side and the guys
left-hander on the ad side and the guys been going to his backhand all day all
been going to his backhand all day all
been going to his backhand all day all day all day back in back in back and if
day all day back in back in back and if
day all day back in back in back and if you could call timeout in tennis I would
you could call timeout in tennis I would
you could call timeout in tennis I would have called a timeout it was atomic just
have called a timeout it was atomic just
have called a timeout it was atomic just in case he might get crazy here and try
in case he might get crazy here and try
in case he might get crazy here and try to juice one up the T to your forehand
to juice one up the T to your forehand
to juice one up the T to your forehand sure enough guy throws it up hammers the
sure enough guy throws it up hammers the
sure enough guy throws it up hammers the ball up the T tommix forehand and he did
ball up the T tommix forehand and he did
ball up the T tommix forehand and he did exactly what I dreamed he would do he
exactly what I dreamed he would do he
exactly what I dreamed he would do he let go he let it rip he let it fly he
let go he let it rip he let it fly he
let go he let it rip he let it fly he swung almost out of his little size
swung almost out of his little size
swung almost out of his little size eight shoes and he swung as hard as he
eight shoes and he swung as hard as he
eight shoes and he swung as hard as he could and he put every ounce of his body
could and he put every ounce of his body
could and he put every ounce of his body into that swing exactly how you have to
into that swing exactly how you have to
into that swing exactly how you have to go after it if you’re gonna win in the
go after it if you’re gonna win in the
go after it if you’re gonna win in the big moments he hit the return back hard
big moments he hit the return back hard
big moments he hit the return back hard in the surf came at him and I can close
in the surf came at him and I can close
in the surf came at him and I can close my eyes right now and see that ball
my eyes right now and see that ball
my eyes right now and see that ball going one inch over the double sidelines
going one inch over the double sidelines
going one inch over the double sidelines game went back to deuce guy hit two more
game went back to deuce guy hit two more
game went back to deuce guy hit two more first serves in we came back sat down so
first serves in we came back sat down so
first serves in we came back sat down so that all the things we’ve been saying
that all the things we’ve been saying
that all the things we’ve been saying for the last four matches and they
for the last four matches and they
for the last four matches and they blinked I got up went out to serve out
blinked I got up went out to serve out
blinked I got up went out to serve out the national championship got broke for
the national championship got broke for
the national championship got broke for the first time in two days
the first time in two days
the first time in two days loss of second set 7-5 before we knew it
loss of second set 7-5 before we knew it
loss of second set 7-5 before we knew it were down 3-0 in the third thought
were down 3-0 in the third thought
were down 3-0 in the third thought they’d scratch they clotted everything
they’d scratch they clotted everything
they’d scratch they clotted everything they could do and they lost 6-3 they did
they could do and they lost 6-3 they did
they could do and they lost 6-3 they did everything we asked they played the
everything we asked they played the
everything we asked they played the absolute perfect match in the biggest
absolute perfect match in the biggest
absolute perfect match in the biggest moment of their careers down to the last
moment of their careers down to the last
moment of their careers down to the last instant the last inch and they lost and
instant the last inch and they lost and
instant the last inch and they lost and when the match was over I went and I
when the match was over I went and I
when the match was over I went and I knelt down in front of them
knelt down in front of them
knelt down in front of them we’re
we’re
we’re little bit teary and I gave him each a
little bit teary and I gave him each a
little bit teary and I gave him each a hug and I told him I was so proud of
hug and I told him I was so proud of
hug and I told him I was so proud of them for letting go I was so proud of
them for letting go I was so proud of
them for letting go I was so proud of them for living out their values on the
them for living out their values on the
them for living out their values on the biggest stage and that they were not to
biggest stage and that they were not to
biggest stage and that they were not to be defined by the result
be defined by the result
be defined by the result I gave me to hug and they said thanks
I gave me to hug and they said thanks
I gave me to hug and they said thanks coach
coach
coach we got on the plane we went home and
we got on the plane we went home and
we got on the plane we went home and that was the end of the season what
that was the end of the season what
that was the end of the season what those guys taught me what they did what
those guys taught me what they did what
those guys taught me what they did what they experienced made their experience
they experienced made their experience
they experienced made their experience in sport matter so much because they
in sport matter so much because they
in sport matter so much because they refused to be defined by what they
refused to be defined by what they
refused to be defined by what they accomplished they were defined by their
accomplished they were defined by their
accomplished they were defined by their ability to let go and thereby they
ability to let go and thereby they
ability to let go and thereby they created something that that I’ve never
created something that that I’ve never
created something that that I’ve never forgotten that they won’t forget if I
forgotten that they won’t forget if I
forgotten that they won’t forget if I wish they won that match absolutely how
wish they won that match absolutely how
wish they won that match absolutely how to give it anything for that ball to
to give it anything for that ball to
to give it anything for that ball to land on the sideline but the bottom line
land on the sideline but the bottom line
land on the sideline but the bottom line was they made sport matter they made it
was they made sport matter they made it
was they made sport matter they made it matter because they were able to let go
matter because they were able to let go
matter because they were able to let go they were able to be free they were able
they were able to be free they were able
they were able to be free they were able to be okay with who they were because
to be okay with who they were because
to be okay with who they were because they were themselves they didn’t need to
they were themselves they didn’t need to
they were themselves they didn’t need to prove anything to anybody to be valued
prove anything to anybody to be valued
prove anything to anybody to be valued if we can do that in sport if we can
if we can do that in sport if we can
if we can do that in sport if we can create sport experiences that do that
create sport experiences that do that
create sport experiences that do that for people then sport has a purpose then
for people then sport has a purpose then
for people then sport has a purpose then it matters and if we can experience that
it matters and if we can experience that
it matters and if we can experience that when we’re doing sport maybe we can get
when we’re doing sport maybe we can get
when we’re doing sport maybe we can get the feel of it a little bit we can start
the feel of it a little bit we can start
the feel of it a little bit we can start to experience it when we go do life and
to experience it when we go do life and
to experience it when we go do life and now these dumb games just aren’t dumb
now these dumb games just aren’t dumb
now these dumb games just aren’t dumb games anymore they’re a vehicle for us
games anymore they’re a vehicle for us
games anymore they’re a vehicle for us to be able to let go to be okay they can
to be able to let go to be okay they can
to be able to let go to be okay they can have a purpose and hopefully they can
have a purpose and hopefully they can
have a purpose and hopefully they can help our lives have a purpose too thanks
help our lives have a purpose too thanks
help our lives have a purpose too thanks a lot
a lot
a lot [Applause]
”
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