Book Worth Reading

So every now and then I come across a book that I find I need to share with others because I receive so much out of that book. So as I continue my blog, every now and then I will recommend a book to all my blog readers. so here is the first one:

Beyond Basketball: Coach K's Keywords for success
By: Mike Krzyzewski (Duke Men's Basketball Coach)

Ok, so you're not a Duke fan. I know that there are many out there who despise Duke, but like the title says, this is not about basketball. So if you hate Duke, put that aside for just a little while and pick up this book.

In this book, Coach K gives us 40 keywords for success that are divided up into separate chapters. Now the chapters are short and very easy to read. This is not a book that you will have to take many hours to read, but you will find yourself constantly going back to it.

Coach K matches examples from his life and many of his experiences to these Keywords and puts them into practical form. This book can help motivate you and can help you motivate and maintain a great organization. I recommend this book to all, especially those in the Campus Recreation/Rec Sports world. After you read this book, you will not put it down being disappointed.

Adversity in the Face of Fear and Failure

The ESPY'S were on this past weekend. While predominantly top named athletes are given awards for best performance, comeback, play, etc., there is a more important and honorable award given at the ESPY'S, The Jimmy V. Award for Perseverance.

First, if you do not know who Jim Valvano is, he was a NCAA Basketball Coach, and won the 1983 NCAA Championship with NC State. However, Jimmy V. IS much more than just a coach. He is a coach who has a legacy. A legacy of passion, hope, and determination. In June 1992 Coach Valvano was diagnosed with bone cancer. He did not let this get him down. He formed the Jimmy V Foundation to help fund research for the cure for cancer. If you haven't seen his 1993 ESPY Speech, then watch it here...it may leave you with chills. He died shortly after his ESPY speech, but his legacy and his dreams still live on. Today, the Jimmy V. Foundation has raised more than $50 Million and is fully endowed.

The ESPY'S give the Jimmy V. Award to a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through physical determination and perseverance; to someone who is strong in the face of adversity, to someone who is willing to face fear and failure head on. This year it was given to Don Meyer, head basketball coach of the Northern State Wolves. He delivered his ESPY speech with poise, humility, and pride. His Story and speech are below;

One thing to remember when you face adversity is that you will out live it. Do not let failure become your destination, rather, use adversity as stepping stones to get to something better, something greater. In Jimmy V's famous words, "Don't give up, don't EVER give up".

Information on the Jimmy V. Foundation can be found at following website: https://www.jimmyv.org/

Purpose, Goals, and Objectives

So this is my first blog post. I am starting this blog in order to do several things. First, I want to establish this blog to basically talk about leadership. Leadership is very broad and it is not easily understood at times, so it is my hope that this blog will be a disucssion place for everyone to talk about Leadership.



Next, I would also like to chronical my journey as the NIRSA Region IV Student Representative. I hope that this will show others what it is like and inspire them to do great things. NIRSA provides great opportunities for leadership and student development, so I will try to place any thoughts, ideas, or happenings in this blog.



Finally, with all the tweeting, facebooking, and myspacing, it can be hard to really have a central place just to write ones thoughts. So, that is what this blog will be.



If you have something to share, please do so. I am willing to post it and share it with those who read the blog.



I would like to leave this post with quote or a saying from a fortune cookie that I received not too long ago. "Ideas not coupled with action never become bigger than the brain cells they occupied."