Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
-- Coach John Wooden
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/29/09
Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.
-- Abraham Lincoln
-- Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/28/09
“Prepare for every practice like you just lost your last game.”
-- Coach Don Meyer
-- Coach Don Meyer
Giving
The idea began in church for Ryan Nece, with a pastor's sermon about the Good Samaritan, but you do not have to be religious to understand what Nece is trying to share—the lightness of heart that comes with helping someone in some way, large or small. Nece, a linebacker who has played at UCLA and for the Buccaneers and the Lions, knows that anyone can get hooked on that feeling, that it is the best kind of addiction, and he just can't keep it to himself. Sometimes the greatest gift is reminding others how good it feels to give. More . . .
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/23/09
Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will rest satisfied.
-- Richard J. Foster
-- Richard J. Foster
Tim Tebow
Here's a good story from Sports Illustrated on Tim Tebow:
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1158168/index.htm
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1158168/index.htm
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/22/09
A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Coach Don Meyer
Here is a link to a more detailed story on 2009 ESPY winner, Coach Don Meyer. I think you'll enjoy it.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/21/09
"Peace is not the absence of troubles, trials and torment, but calm in the midst of them."
-- Coach Don Meyer
-- Coach Don Meyer
A Living Legend
Coach Don Meyer is an amazing man. I've known it for decades, and now, thanks to an ESPY as the recipient of the 2009 Jimmy V Award, so does a lot of the rest of the world.
I first met Coach Meyer as a twelve year old kid in 1984 at one of his legendary basketball camps at David Lipscomb University. The camps were attended by thousands of kids from around the US, which is somewhat surprising because they were anything but what most kids would call fun. They were about fundamentals, discipline, and substance over style. Coach Meyer would decry the dunk, and applaud a great pass and/or screen. He would lambast the selfish primadonnas, and venerate the selfless role players. Those are lessons I carry with me to this day as a coach, and as a parent.
Thank you, Coach Meyer, for all you have done.
I first met Coach Meyer as a twelve year old kid in 1984 at one of his legendary basketball camps at David Lipscomb University. The camps were attended by thousands of kids from around the US, which is somewhat surprising because they were anything but what most kids would call fun. They were about fundamentals, discipline, and substance over style. Coach Meyer would decry the dunk, and applaud a great pass and/or screen. He would lambast the selfish primadonnas, and venerate the selfless role players. Those are lessons I carry with me to this day as a coach, and as a parent.
Thank you, Coach Meyer, for all you have done.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Quote of the Day II - 7/17/09
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it."
-- Charles Swindoll
-- Charles Swindoll
Quote of the Day - 7/17/09
Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned; and however early a man's training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly.
-- Thomas H. Huxley (1825 - 1895)
-- Thomas H. Huxley (1825 - 1895)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Jason Pace
Here's an update from an old Bison, Jason Pace, who is one of the most genuine and down-to-earth people I have ever known. Jason's email address is pace4429@aol.com.
"I wanted to touch base and thank each of you for all of the prayers, calls, and support over these past few months. As you may already know, a few months ago, I had surgery to remove a Crohns diseased area of my intestines, which had become scarred up over the years. Unknown to the physicians, while removing a portion of my intestines, a cancerous mass was found within the lymph glands of my intestines. The mass, later revealed as lymphoma, was removed, along with the scarred area of my intestines. Following surgery, PET scans and bone marrow tests came back normal; however, the physicians recommended a six-round treatment plan of chemotherapy (R-CHOP), to prevent any chance of reoccurrence. Last Friday, I completed my final round of chemo. and everything is going well, other than a little hair loss. A second PET scan in May also revealed no cancer present and I will continue to have these tests over the next few years.
As I finish up these treatments, and begin to come out of this "life's storm," I wanted to say Thank You again for your emails, words of encouragement, prayers, and support. Through trials like this, it is very comforting to know I have friends, like you, by my side. God has truly blessed me through this ordeal and I give him the praise. I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to keeping in touch with you."
"I wanted to touch base and thank each of you for all of the prayers, calls, and support over these past few months. As you may already know, a few months ago, I had surgery to remove a Crohns diseased area of my intestines, which had become scarred up over the years. Unknown to the physicians, while removing a portion of my intestines, a cancerous mass was found within the lymph glands of my intestines. The mass, later revealed as lymphoma, was removed, along with the scarred area of my intestines. Following surgery, PET scans and bone marrow tests came back normal; however, the physicians recommended a six-round treatment plan of chemotherapy (R-CHOP), to prevent any chance of reoccurrence. Last Friday, I completed my final round of chemo. and everything is going well, other than a little hair loss. A second PET scan in May also revealed no cancer present and I will continue to have these tests over the next few years.
As I finish up these treatments, and begin to come out of this "life's storm," I wanted to say Thank You again for your emails, words of encouragement, prayers, and support. Through trials like this, it is very comforting to know I have friends, like you, by my side. God has truly blessed me through this ordeal and I give him the praise. I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to keeping in touch with you."
50 Years
When the Bisons Came Back…
Bison football celebrates 50 years on August 29
by Lathan Garnett (’61)
Bison football celebrates 50 years on August 29
by Lathan Garnett (’61)
In 1959, Jim Citty (#82) and Billy Joe Thrasher (#60) run through the banner and start the legacy of Bison football. The 2009 football team under the leadership of Head Coach Ronnie Huckeba (’77) will be incorporating the best practices of tradition, work ethic and character of Bison football. When the Harding University Bison football team takes the field at First Security Stadium against Missouri Southern on Saturday, August 29 at 6 p.m., fifty years of Bison football will be celebrated and remembered. Following the aftermath of the Great Depression, in 1931, Bison football took a break that lasted for 28 years. In 1959, the announcement was made that Harding would return to playing football and more than 50 young men turned out to begin Harding's first intercollegiate football team. They were led by Head Coach Carl Allison, an Oklahoma University "great". Allison started at defensive end for four years under the legendary Bud Wilkinson. Allison was inducted into the Oklahoma University Hall of Fame in 1996.
During the weekend of August 28-29, coaches, trainers, players, and cheerleaders from the 1959 team will be gathering in Searcy to celebrate this 50th anniversary milestone. Early indications are that a great turnout is expected with 30+ already committed with players coming from as far away as Florida for this event. Coach Allison will be here to again "lead his team" for this special occasion. Several activities are planned throughout the weekend including special introductions at half-time of the game. For more information about the reunion, contact Garnett at lmg0528@aol.com .
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/15/09
TEAM/FAMILY
"We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone; we find it with another.”
-- Thomas Merton
The game of football is a gift
Austin Rogers is a fine young man I coached when I was at David Lipscomb High School. I've coached some good ones through the years, but none were any better all-around than Austin; he was as gifted an athlete as I've ever seen, and a humble child of God.
Austin signed with the University of Tennessee and has had a good career at WR for the Vols. Earlier this week he was preparing for his senior season and suffered a likely career ending ACL injury. Always be thankful for the God given gift each of you have to play this game. Cherish every moment of it because you never know when it might end.
Austin signed with the University of Tennessee and has had a good career at WR for the Vols. Earlier this week he was preparing for his senior season and suffered a likely career ending ACL injury. Always be thankful for the God given gift each of you have to play this game. Cherish every moment of it because you never know when it might end.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/14/09
We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.
-- C. S. Lewis
-- C. S. Lewis
Josh Hamilton
MLB star Josh Hamilton is known for many things. He's a great, young talent, a HR derby champ, but, more than anything, an inspirational child of God. Check out this amazing video.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Great thought
Yet another great thought from All-Pro Dad:
Great men live by faith
Author John Eldredge writes: "Life is not a problem to be solved; it is an adventure to be lived. That's the nature of it and has been since the beginning when God set the dangerous stage for this high-stakes drama and called the whole world enterprise 'good.' He rigged the world in such a way that it only works when we embrace risk as the theme of our lives, which is to say, only when we live by faith."
In other words, if you're in a situation where you know you're not living up to your potential, but are too afraid to change, you're missing out. Great men take great risks... and if you're always playing it too safe, others around you may not take risks either. And, in life, to gain much you have to risk much.
Pick up John's book, Wild at Heart, here. And take a look at what Coach Tony Dungy has to say on the subject of stepping out of your comfort zone.
Ask yourself this question: Why is taking a risk sometimes important for succeeding?
Great men live by faith
Author John Eldredge writes: "Life is not a problem to be solved; it is an adventure to be lived. That's the nature of it and has been since the beginning when God set the dangerous stage for this high-stakes drama and called the whole world enterprise 'good.' He rigged the world in such a way that it only works when we embrace risk as the theme of our lives, which is to say, only when we live by faith."
In other words, if you're in a situation where you know you're not living up to your potential, but are too afraid to change, you're missing out. Great men take great risks... and if you're always playing it too safe, others around you may not take risks either. And, in life, to gain much you have to risk much.
Pick up John's book, Wild at Heart, here. And take a look at what Coach Tony Dungy has to say on the subject of stepping out of your comfort zone.
Ask yourself this question: Why is taking a risk sometimes important for succeeding?
Leadership
Leadership is one of the most complex issues surrounding any organization, institution, business or team. The surest way to mess it up is to oversimplify it, and that's not what I mean to do with this quote, but I do think this quote does indeed speak largely to the notion of leadership.
"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own. "
— Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/12/09
"For an athlete to function properly, he must be intent. There has to be a definite purpose and goal if you are to progress. If you are not intent about what you are doing, you aren't able to resist the temptation to do something else that might be more fun at the moment."
-- Coach John Wooden
-- Coach John Wooden
Friday, July 10, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/10/09
"Enjoy when you can and endure when you must. "
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Steve McNair (1973-2009)
I moved to Nashville the same year the Oilers left Houston for Tennessee. I can vividly remember the excitment of the unveiling of the new team name, the new jerseys, the new logo, the new stadium, and then later on, the success the Titans experienced. After the Titans won the AFC Championship game in 1999, my wife, my sister and I drove down to the stadium to welcome them home, and get them ready for the Super Bowl. It was very, very cold, and we waited for hours (I think we arrived at the stadium before they'd even boarded the plane to return from Indianopolis), but it didn't matter to us. We loved the Titans, and were very appreciative to be along for the ride.
Through the years I went to several Titans games, and even had the chance to be around several of the players from time to time. One of the Titans' team doctors also had sons who played for the high school I coached for at the time - David Lipscomb High School - so it was not unusual to see at least one Titan on the sideline every Friday night, including Steve McNair. I also had the chance to work McNair's youth football camps for several summers. (It was there that I first met a young man named Vince Young. He was a junior in high school and was there because McNair had taken him under his wing to help him.) It was also there that I got to see McNair work diligently with kids. McNair gave back when he didn't have to, and I respected that. In fact, one day after camp I even told him that, and he responded with a very genuine "thank you". Kids idolized him and even worshiped him, and therein lies the double edged sword. A double edged sword I have struggled to deal with myself.
I know for a fact that McNair did great things for others. I got to witness them firsthand. But, it also appears that not everything McNair did was good (as with all of us). So how do we remember McNair and others like him? Well, as usual, Tony Dungy says it very well.
For Lauren and me, Steve McNair’s death has been troubling. While we didn’t know him well, we did get a chance to spend a week with him and his family at the 2004 Pro Bowl, and the Colts competed against his Tennessee Titans for years in the AFC South Division. From all appearances, it seemed like a beautiful family who had everything going for it and a dad who was an icon in Tennessee.
What went wrong? Right now we can only guess, but perhaps time will answer some of the questions. There is going to be a tendency to say, “We should remember the good things Steve did and not focus on the negative.” And we should remember all the great things he did on the field for the Titans and in the Nashville community. We also shouldn’t focus on the information that has come out in the last few days in a purely judgmental way. But I think it would be a mistake to just ignore the more disturbing parts of the McNair story.
I think the best thing we could do is try to learn from it. In my mind, the lesson is that no matter how successful we are, no matter how many good things we do in life, we are all susceptible to temptation and bad choices. And one bad choice can ruin your life; just as it appears to have happened to Steve McNair, it can happen to me.
As a Christian, I believe in the bible, and it talks a lot about temptations and also about the consequences of sin and bad choices. Christians aren’t immune from those temptations or consequences. It appears that Steve McNair made a bad decision as a married man, just as Governor Sanford of South Carolina did, going down a disastrous path with another woman. Those relationships could have started out very innocently, and maybe even with good intentions in mind. However, at some point, both men had to make decisions on the direction those relationships would take, and both men apparently made the wrong choice.
Unfortunately, those decisions will have terrible consequences for them and their families. We have to keep in mind the impact our decisions can have, not only on ourselves, but on our loved ones as well. And it’s not just in the area of extra-marital affairs, but in all areas of integrity–in our personal and our business affairs as well. We have to constantly be on guard and pray about all of our decisions. We can’t fool ourselves into thinking that bad decisions won’t have bad consequences.
I feel so much sadness for Steve, his family and the other woman’s family. It just reminds me to be more diligent about my own walk and pray even more about my life and my decision-making.
(From: http://allprodad.com/dungy/?p=299)
Through the years I went to several Titans games, and even had the chance to be around several of the players from time to time. One of the Titans' team doctors also had sons who played for the high school I coached for at the time - David Lipscomb High School - so it was not unusual to see at least one Titan on the sideline every Friday night, including Steve McNair. I also had the chance to work McNair's youth football camps for several summers. (It was there that I first met a young man named Vince Young. He was a junior in high school and was there because McNair had taken him under his wing to help him.) It was also there that I got to see McNair work diligently with kids. McNair gave back when he didn't have to, and I respected that. In fact, one day after camp I even told him that, and he responded with a very genuine "thank you". Kids idolized him and even worshiped him, and therein lies the double edged sword. A double edged sword I have struggled to deal with myself.
I know for a fact that McNair did great things for others. I got to witness them firsthand. But, it also appears that not everything McNair did was good (as with all of us). So how do we remember McNair and others like him? Well, as usual, Tony Dungy says it very well.
For Lauren and me, Steve McNair’s death has been troubling. While we didn’t know him well, we did get a chance to spend a week with him and his family at the 2004 Pro Bowl, and the Colts competed against his Tennessee Titans for years in the AFC South Division. From all appearances, it seemed like a beautiful family who had everything going for it and a dad who was an icon in Tennessee.
What went wrong? Right now we can only guess, but perhaps time will answer some of the questions. There is going to be a tendency to say, “We should remember the good things Steve did and not focus on the negative.” And we should remember all the great things he did on the field for the Titans and in the Nashville community. We also shouldn’t focus on the information that has come out in the last few days in a purely judgmental way. But I think it would be a mistake to just ignore the more disturbing parts of the McNair story.
I think the best thing we could do is try to learn from it. In my mind, the lesson is that no matter how successful we are, no matter how many good things we do in life, we are all susceptible to temptation and bad choices. And one bad choice can ruin your life; just as it appears to have happened to Steve McNair, it can happen to me.
As a Christian, I believe in the bible, and it talks a lot about temptations and also about the consequences of sin and bad choices. Christians aren’t immune from those temptations or consequences. It appears that Steve McNair made a bad decision as a married man, just as Governor Sanford of South Carolina did, going down a disastrous path with another woman. Those relationships could have started out very innocently, and maybe even with good intentions in mind. However, at some point, both men had to make decisions on the direction those relationships would take, and both men apparently made the wrong choice.
Unfortunately, those decisions will have terrible consequences for them and their families. We have to keep in mind the impact our decisions can have, not only on ourselves, but on our loved ones as well. And it’s not just in the area of extra-marital affairs, but in all areas of integrity–in our personal and our business affairs as well. We have to constantly be on guard and pray about all of our decisions. We can’t fool ourselves into thinking that bad decisions won’t have bad consequences.
I feel so much sadness for Steve, his family and the other woman’s family. It just reminds me to be more diligent about my own walk and pray even more about my life and my decision-making.
(From: http://allprodad.com/dungy/?p=299)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/9/09
BELIEF
"If I am capable of grasping God objectively, I do not believe, but precisely because I cannot do this I must believe."
-- Soren Kierkegaard
Homemade Ice Cream
All those who will be on campus this week for Summer Experience are invited to Coach Huck's house tonight at 9:30 for homemade ice cream, brownies and fellowship. For those who don't know where Coach Huck lives, we'll meet at the GAC around 9:00 PM and carpool over.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/8/09
The superior man blames himself. The inferior man blames others.
-- Coach Don Shula
-- Coach Don Shula
Update on Tom Ed Gooden
An update from Coach Beason:
I am sure many of you are following Tom Ed's progress on the CaringBridge website (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tegooden.) For those who did not get to check it yesterday, this is what was posted:
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 10:04 PM, CDT -- Tom Ed is home after 13 weeks in M.D. Anderson Hospital. When we arrived, the front yard was filled with sports cutouts and a huge sign that read: Welcome Home Coach! We are blessed with some amazing friends. We see the stem cell transplant doctor tomorrow in clinic and discuss the progress and future plans. TE will begin rehabilitation at a center close to home and receive nutrition through his central vein catheter during the night.
I am sure many of you are following Tom Ed's progress on the CaringBridge website (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tegooden.) For those who did not get to check it yesterday, this is what was posted:
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 10:04 PM, CDT -- Tom Ed is home after 13 weeks in M.D. Anderson Hospital. When we arrived, the front yard was filled with sports cutouts and a huge sign that read: Welcome Home Coach! We are blessed with some amazing friends. We see the stem cell transplant doctor tomorrow in clinic and discuss the progress and future plans. TE will begin rehabilitation at a center close to home and receive nutrition through his central vein catheter during the night.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/7/09
"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."
-- Coach John Wooden
-- Coach John Wooden
Countdown
As of Tuesday, July 7 at 10:57 AM, we have a mere 53 days, 6 hours and 3 minutes to kick-off.
It will be here before you know it.
It will be here before you know it.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Only 54 days . . .
In 54 days, 3 hours, 5 minutes and 45 seconds, the Harding Bison football team will play its first game of the 2009 season against Missouri Southern at First Security Stadium.
If you need some excitement while you are waiting for the season to begin, just check out this 2008 Highlight Video.
It was produced by former Bison Jimi Holden and his staff at Pure Talent Sports.
If you need some excitement while you are waiting for the season to begin, just check out this 2008 Highlight Video.
It was produced by former Bison Jimi Holden and his staff at Pure Talent Sports.
Harding Football Signs Rene Stephan
Rene Stephan, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound outside linebacker from San Jose, Calif., has signed a financial aid agreement and will join the Harding University football team for the 2009 season.
Stephan will be a junior and is transferring from De Anza College in Cupertino, Calif., where he earned First-Team All-Conference honors as a linebacker. He led the team with 76 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
A graduate of Los Gatos High School, Stephan recorded 68 tackles and three sacks as a senior and earned First-Team All-League honors. Los Gatos finished 11-2 his senior season and won the Central Coast Section championship.
Stephan will be a junior and is transferring from De Anza College in Cupertino, Calif., where he earned First-Team All-Conference honors as a linebacker. He led the team with 76 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
A graduate of Los Gatos High School, Stephan recorded 68 tackles and three sacks as a senior and earned First-Team All-League honors. Los Gatos finished 11-2 his senior season and won the Central Coast Section championship.
Game-Day Visits
We will be hosting three game-day visits this fall for prospective student-athletes.
- August 29 vs. Missouri Southern @ 6:00 PM (Home-opener)
- September 26 vs. North Alabama @ 6:00 PM (Parents' Night)
- October 31 vs. Henderson State @ 2:00 PM (Homecoming)
Preparation vs. Motivation
The late legendary Dallas Cowboys football coach Tom Landry once said:
"I don't believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on a field and be prepared to play a good game."
Bisons, as you prepare this summer for the 2009 season, let this "motivate" you. Sometimes the only motivation you can find is the fact that you've prepared for the given situation, thus you know you're ready.
"I don't believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on a field and be prepared to play a good game."
Bisons, as you prepare this summer for the 2009 season, let this "motivate" you. Sometimes the only motivation you can find is the fact that you've prepared for the given situation, thus you know you're ready.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Quote of the Day - 7/1/09
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”
-- C.S. Lewis
-- C.S. Lewis
Update on Tom Ed Gooden
Here is an update on Tom Ed Gooden, an old Bison who is now an athletic director in the Baytown, TX area. This is on the CaringBridge website (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tegooden) and was posted yesterday:
"Wonderful News! The plan is for Tom Ed to go home on Tuesday, the 7th. He is doing so well that he will not need to remain in the hospital for rehabilitation. He will continue rehab as an outpatient. Thank you for the prayers, continued encouragement, and love. Your faith is powerful, amazing, and a source of strength for us."
It is easy to get on the website and to read updates as well as post a message to the Goodens in the "Guestbook" section.
"Wonderful News! The plan is for Tom Ed to go home on Tuesday, the 7th. He is doing so well that he will not need to remain in the hospital for rehabilitation. He will continue rehab as an outpatient. Thank you for the prayers, continued encouragement, and love. Your faith is powerful, amazing, and a source of strength for us."
It is easy to get on the website and to read updates as well as post a message to the Goodens in the "Guestbook" section.
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