On The TunneySide of Sports April 16, 2018 #688 Up next…A Follow-up!
After further review…” This column/blog is fortunate to have many readers who respond to the message presented each week. While we try to answer, we do not often share the fortune that has befallen these folks. This column is an exception. We are following up on the “Stepping Up” column that appeared April 9, 2018 #687.
Here’s what this reader wrote:
“My senior year I was co-captain of our high school basketball team. While I was a really good shooter, I wasn’t a speedster. So, when our coach decided to have a running game, I would shake hands with the other captains and return to the bench, only getting into the game at the end when it was obvious that we were going to either win or lose. Our first three games were on the road and we lost two of the three.
We had been drawing big crowds the year before and our bandbox gym at our high school was turning away people. My father, a high ranking Naval Officer in the area, was able to secure the Naval Armory, which could hold bigger crowds for our home games. Prior to our first home game there, the Commander of the armory called our coach and said, “I notice you are not playing Blanchard much. His father is my boss, so please get him in the game earlier this Friday.” We were playing our arch rival that night, who was favored to win the league. In the middle of the third quarter, we were down by twelve points and the Commander signaled my coach to get me in the game because we were going to lose anyway.
With that, he sent me in the game and the first four times I had the ball, I sank long jump shots from the left side. The crowd went wild and we gradually caught up with the other team. The game went into overtime. Then a second overtime ended in a tie. Now the referee said we had to go into sudden death. Whoever got the first two points would win the game. At the tip off the other team got the ball but lost it out of bounds. So, I told the other forward to go down the left side where our opponents were waiting for me and told the playmaker to give me the ball when he got to half court, which he did.
I stopped about 30 feet out ready to shoot when our coach yelled “NO!” as I let if fly. It hit nothing but net and I was carried off the court with my mother and father in tears at the sidelines. I started every game after that and we won the league championship.”
That player, ‘Blanchard’, named above, is Dr. Ken Blanchard, a friend and colleague, a best-selling author who wrote “The One Minute Manager” as well as some sixty other books. In addition to being a world-famous author, his company, The Ken Blanchard Companies has helped millions of leaders and entrepreneurs achieve success.
Will you see the importance of stepping-up to help your T*E*A*M?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com.
NEW: Jim’s new Podcast ‘TunneySide of Sports’ will be up and running shortly. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, he is available for speaking engagements. His bobblehead and books are listed on his website.
Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.
Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly.
These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others.
Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!
