If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook — which I know most of you do! — you know I like to share with my followers some of the people I meet, books I read, and conversations I’ve had with my friends and mentors.
Today I wanted to take a few moments to explain why I meet with people like Bob Rotella, John Maxwell and George Raveling, who met with my staff on Monday.
A big part of my job is inspiring young people. It’s about motivating boys and molding them into young men. A lot of their growth and development is up to them, but it’s also my job — our job — to lead them to a better path. Oftentimes I look to other sources for inspiration.
Bob Rotella, John Maxwell and George Raveling are just a few of those people. When I talk to them or I read their books, they inspire me. They teach me how to keep things in perspective, how to educate myself and how to lead. They are the masters of their profession.
Just the other night, Coach Raveling, who has been a longtime friend of mine, met with my staff over dinner for nearly two hours. We talked about how we can continue to improve as a staff, how we can remain on the forefront of college basketball, and what we need to do to continue to shape our players and help them reach their dreams.
Afterwards, Coach Raveling sent me a touching email that I wanted to share with the rest of the Big Blue Nation:
John,
Please know that I truly enjoyed the opportunity to share dinner and meaningful conversation with you. As is always the case, when we verbally exchange our thoughts, we emotionally connect. The end result is we passionately express our deep rooted beliefs.
John, you are a person, I truly admire, respect and root for. It pleases me that our friendship has endured well over 25 years.
Be certain you have a loyal friend for the remainder of your life, in George Raveling. Our friendship is not conditional…it will survive the good, the bad and the different. Thanks for being my friend.
It goes without saying that what you have achieved at UK boarders on the unreal. Congratulations!!
Please don’t ever lose sight of the fact that UK Basketball is a “non-traditional” program. Thus you must think different…act different…be different…see what others don’t see…say what others don’t say, go where others don’t go…ask what others fail to ask, build what others don’t build. And last achieve what others view as impossible… “This is your mission!!”
Keep in mind that every challenge confronting you is also an opportunity to take UK Basketball to higher levels of achievement… “Do It”!
Kindly be mindful that as you experience the journey you travel as the UK Basketball Coach, it’s important to remember its only a game, it’s nowhere as serious as cancer, birth or death. So take time to laugh, to smile, to be kind, to relax, to be appreciative and most of all don’t take yourself too seriously.
Last, be sure you walk away from the game on your own terms. Most coaches stay too long.
Finally, I say again that I’m deeply appreciative of the kindness you have showered on me over the years.
Best wishes for a wealth of God’s richest gifts. May your days be filled with tons of success, good health, happiness and dreams fulfilled.
Your friend,
Coach Rave
Wow! How can you not get inspired after reading that? I wanted to run a marathon after I read that.
I’ve got a busy schedule, but stuff like that is why I try to take a few hours out of my time each week to talk with Bob Rotella or drive an hour to Louisville to meet with John Maxwell. They are often the sources of my inspiration.
Coach Raveling is a dear friend, a great leader and one of the smartest basketball minds out there. He was a fantastic coach for more than two decades at Washington State, Iowa and Southern California. He was the first African-American coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference when he was an assistant at Maryland, and he was the first African-American coach in the Pac-10. He was also served as an assistant with the U.S. national team.
Listen to this: Martin Luther King, Jr. handed him his “I Have a Dream” speech when he finished reading it in Washington D.C. during his “March on Washington.” Coach Raveling still has that speech today.
I really appreciate him taking the time to meet with my staff and he’s always welcome in my office. When Coach Raveling left, he gave me a few books that he recommended I read. I’ve put them on my Book Club for my fans to read as well. I also want to encourage the Big Blue Nation to check out his website at coachgeorgeraveling.com.
Thanks again, Coach. It was great seeing you.
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