CHAMPION

Dear Champions,
In our second class meeting, we discussed what it means to be a champion. By definition a champion is, “a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, specifically in sports.” However, a champion is made up of much more than just what he/she does on the playing field. A champion is made up of many different qualities that support their attained abilities to leave them far superior than others. To enhance the discussion of what the makeup of a champion is, I have created an acronym to describe each letter in the word ‘champion’ with a different quality that they should entail on their journey to success.
C  Confidence: A champion must have confidence within their ability, their teammates, coaches, and in the God-given talent that God has gratefully thrust upon them.
H  Humble: A champion must respect themselves and their opponents graciously. They must respect their ability and never take it for granted. They should express gratitude to those who assist them in their success and thrive with them.
A  Attitude: As a champion, one must have a positive attitude throughout their career and understand that there will be good and bad days along with wins and losses, they must keep getting better and continue to encourage others around them.
M  Mental Toughness: As a champion, the game is half mental along with being half physical. As a champion you must attain the mental toughness to persevere through the obstacles that will come with the demands of your sport. Being mentally tough is a hard task, but those who are able to attain it become successful on the playing field and also in life.
P  Passion: As a champion, one must have the passion for the game. All the hard work and dedication should be out of the love and pride you have every time you participate in your sport. When an athlete can go out and love what they do every single day it makes the game more enjoyable and it also makes it easier to become successful.
I  Idol: Champions, nowadays, are seen in the public eye much more than ever before. When being a role model for the ones around you, it is important that you maintain all the qualities that got you to so much success and maintain them throughout your personal life. It is those people who can maintain those attributes that will be able to thrive in life and continue success after their careers are over.
O  Open-Minded: A champion has to be open to new ideas, they can never settle. Hard work pays off, and when you continue to gain success it will continue to pay off. A champion has to be the one who stands out in wanting to get better. Champions have to want to be a champion all the time and have to continue their journey every single day.
N  Noble: As a champion, it becomes more than just athletically performing. As a champion one must have the noble and morally just qualities of a champion every day, because that is what will never be forgotten. It is the character behind the success that will always stick out.
In all, being a champion is a task that takes time to achieve, and as one attains more success it brings more challenges to get better. It becomes the character behind the champion that contributes to the most success. Many people see the athlete for what they are on the playing field, but CHAMPIONS are made with moral qualities that build to success on the playing field, and that will never change!
Kayla McBride, ND Women's Basketball, ND 2014
Coaching Blog, Social Foundations of Coaching Course
Professor Sheehan/Professor Power