"The challenge of leadership is
to be strong, but not rude;
be kind, but not weak;
be bold, but not bully;
be thoughtful, but not lazy;
be humble, but not timid;
be proud, but not arrogant;
have humor, but without folly."
- Jim Rohn, speaker and author
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| MAHOMET-SEYMOUR VARSITY BASKETBALL 2013-2014 il.8to18.com |
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| news-gazette.com |
This Friday night battle came fast and furious and fierce; it seemed birthed in necessity.
It wasn't a battle for a national title.
But the locals know the heart-stop rivalry that the Mahomet-Seymour vs. Rantoul Basketball contests boast.
The national anthem, played in an imperfect rendition, reminded that these basketball soldiers would need a strong leader, that this chaotic battle would necessitate controlling the troops.
The anthem reminded that this contest never unfolds like an ordinary drill; this would not be an easy march to the finish line; the troops would need to be rallied and their energy unfurled.
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| news-gazette.com |
As if strengthened by the anthem itself, the general marched to rally all his troops, both those listed on the roster and those standing in the bleachers.
And did you see the simple summoning as he strode past the bleachers before he commanded his team?
(His actions mirrored the national anthem.)
Oh, hey, did you see, by the bleachers first three rows,
Where so proudly he stopped at the girls and boys gleaming?
Whose broad shoulders and bright smiles, before the perilous fight,
Over the bleachers he shared, where so gallantly streaming
Were the coach's fist bumps, arms shooting in air,
Gave proof through this fight, of what our general was aware
Oh hey, did you see, he was rallying the troops
Over the land of orange and home of the dogs?
And with the simple extension of his hand and his smiles to his school subjects, he rallied his troops.
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| news-gazette.com |
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| news-gazette.com |
This was the persuasive strategy of an clever commander:
That he realized success by joining with the revelers off the court.
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| news-gazette.com |
That he reassured and safeguarded loyal hearts to remain resolute in the midst of this worthy battle.
That he commended those on the sidelines to encourage the soldiers to continue to remain diligent to their discipline.
That he encouraged those on and off the court to honorably fight for their school's valor.
And while the battle waged on the court, we stood in the stands and whistled and stopped breathing and raised banners of cheers.
The battle cry was ear piercingly loud;
the battle was precariously long; but the win was assuredly noble (55-52).
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