As a youth I suffered from many of the things I see in my young sons today. I was lazy, I lived for the moment, thought only of myself and I strutted around with an indifferent attitude least I express an emotion that revealed weakness to my peers. It’s frustrating now because I watch my sons and their friends go through the same drill and my words seem to bounce off their heads much like the words of my father several decades ago. Just when I am about to throw up my hands and declare this generation lost (again just like my dad and both grandfathers) along comes a young man named Tyler Hansbrough.
For those of you that don’t know Tyler (nickname: psycho-t) was a four year starter for the University of North Carolina basketball team. He is the all time leading scorer for Carolina and led the Tar Heels to the 2009 National Championship. There are three life lessons we can all learn from Tyler and I hope his actions will be an example for my sons’ generation.
First, hard work pays big dividends. Psycho-t was blessed with height, but not with the athleticism many of today’s top stars have. He made up for this with a workout routine that would challenge most Marines. Endless hours in the gym honing his basketball skills, hitting the weight room, running drills and analyzing game tape. Whether it is a sport or a college class, give it your best and good things will follow.
Second, sometimes being patient and waiting makes life even sweeter. Tyler could have gone pro after his first year of college and probably would have been a 1st round pick. That would have meant millions of dollars for a 19 year old. The calling could have not been stronger than after his third year. He was voted the national player of the year and helped carry his team to the final four where they experienced a devastating loss in the national semi-final to Kansas. Plus, many of his teammates were expected to go pro early. Before waiting to see what his star teammates were doing, Psycho-t declared his intention to stay at Carolina and play his senior year. Shortly after, his teammates announced that they were staying another year. All these young men put off making millions for one more year of the college experience. An experience no amount of money could buy and of course their hard work and perseverance was rewarded with a championship ring.
Third, teamwork always accomplishes more than individual effort. Playing for a team, running a small business or being a part of a large corporation requires the ability to know when to lead and when to step back and play a supporting role. Tyler displayed his knowledge of this throughout his four years. His best example was during this year’s NCAA tournament. During an elite 8 game against Oklahoma, Hansbrough got into early foul trouble and was being outplayed by this year’s player of the year Blake Griffin. Tyler did not behave like a lot of stars, ignoring the other players and taking bad shots; instead he deferred to his teammates. He scored only 8 points, but the Heels easily won the game as his teammates stepped up and filled the void. Hansbrough had a knack of knowing how best to work with his team and get the desired results. He was a vital part of the team, but never tried to take over the game and put the rest of the players on his back. He knew it would take a team effort to bring home the championship.
Hard work, patience and teamwork, are things exemplified by this gifted college player. Oh yea, and that cool indifference the hip youngsters like to strut around with, check out Tyler after shooting the winning shot against Virginia Tech in the 2008 ACC tournament. The kid could be mad, sad, exhilarated or just plain dorky and he didn’t care who saw it. Yes Tyler Hansbrough you are what’s right with today’s young people.
(Dedicated to James and Alex)
For those of you that don’t know Tyler (nickname: psycho-t) was a four year starter for the University of North Carolina basketball team. He is the all time leading scorer for Carolina and led the Tar Heels to the 2009 National Championship. There are three life lessons we can all learn from Tyler and I hope his actions will be an example for my sons’ generation.
First, hard work pays big dividends. Psycho-t was blessed with height, but not with the athleticism many of today’s top stars have. He made up for this with a workout routine that would challenge most Marines. Endless hours in the gym honing his basketball skills, hitting the weight room, running drills and analyzing game tape. Whether it is a sport or a college class, give it your best and good things will follow.
Second, sometimes being patient and waiting makes life even sweeter. Tyler could have gone pro after his first year of college and probably would have been a 1st round pick. That would have meant millions of dollars for a 19 year old. The calling could have not been stronger than after his third year. He was voted the national player of the year and helped carry his team to the final four where they experienced a devastating loss in the national semi-final to Kansas. Plus, many of his teammates were expected to go pro early. Before waiting to see what his star teammates were doing, Psycho-t declared his intention to stay at Carolina and play his senior year. Shortly after, his teammates announced that they were staying another year. All these young men put off making millions for one more year of the college experience. An experience no amount of money could buy and of course their hard work and perseverance was rewarded with a championship ring.
Third, teamwork always accomplishes more than individual effort. Playing for a team, running a small business or being a part of a large corporation requires the ability to know when to lead and when to step back and play a supporting role. Tyler displayed his knowledge of this throughout his four years. His best example was during this year’s NCAA tournament. During an elite 8 game against Oklahoma, Hansbrough got into early foul trouble and was being outplayed by this year’s player of the year Blake Griffin. Tyler did not behave like a lot of stars, ignoring the other players and taking bad shots; instead he deferred to his teammates. He scored only 8 points, but the Heels easily won the game as his teammates stepped up and filled the void. Hansbrough had a knack of knowing how best to work with his team and get the desired results. He was a vital part of the team, but never tried to take over the game and put the rest of the players on his back. He knew it would take a team effort to bring home the championship.
Hard work, patience and teamwork, are things exemplified by this gifted college player. Oh yea, and that cool indifference the hip youngsters like to strut around with, check out Tyler after shooting the winning shot against Virginia Tech in the 2008 ACC tournament. The kid could be mad, sad, exhilarated or just plain dorky and he didn’t care who saw it. Yes Tyler Hansbrough you are what’s right with today’s young people.
(Dedicated to James and Alex)
Good Stuff, Colonel. Today's youth must start with a goal and have family and friends encourage them to achieve their goals now and into the future. With a dream, there must be a path which includes hard work, dedication, focus and re-evaluting the desired results in persuing the steps to make the dream a reality. You are a good role for our family and your friends. Your loving brother, Whit
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