“Did you win?”
It’s a simple question. As a coach, you are asked the same question a million times over. The response begs for a straightforward, black-and-white answer. Athletic outcomes separate the herd – many are not willing to step on the field of battle, fearing backlash and ridicule from the sheep in the crowd. Very few professions have their results broadcasted and reported immediately following a day’s work.
On this night the clock was just under ten seconds for the Crusaders and Josh. Michael penetrated the defense and handed the ball off to Number Five. His bright-red hair made him easy to spot and the play designed for Josh was called “Crimson.” With no hesitation he took the shot from the left side of the floor. The shot was off the mark and a huge moan from the crowd filled the gym. Brother and teammate Elijah grabbed the rebound and immediately flung the ball right back out to Josh. Another shot was sent toward the rim – another miss, another moan. Time was running out and heads were snapping nervously between the clock and Josh.
The opponent grabbed the next rebound and we all momentarily dropped our head in disappointment. This night was Senior Night for the Austin Catholic basketball team. Team manager, Josh, was promised that he could dress in uniform for this game. He has spent his whole life fighting medical and learning challenges. If circumstances were right, he would enter the game with hopes of scoring a basket and recording his first-ever varsity points.
Just as all hope seemed to vanish, the opposing Merritt Academy player and his teammates understood the assignment. They were given no pregame heads-up and were not forced into any action by their coach. Kindness exploded from the floor and they collectively funneled the ball right back to Josh. There was time for one more shot and Number Five let it fly.
The flight of the ball meshed with every single fan in the stands as all rose to their feet. The ball banked off the backboard and into the net. Hands shot into the air and a roar echoed throughout the gym. The Crusaders rushed the floor and carried Josh to the opposite end of the court. Players, coaches, and even fans from Merritt, applauded the final outcome as chaos ensued.
On this night, the scoreboard displayed just one winner. Anyone in that gym wouldn’t argue the interpretation. Post game conversations between players and parents of both teams conveyed the pride that all were feeling. Is it possible to have two winners at the end of a game? On this night – absolutely!
As I conclude my fortieth year of coaching, I find myself redefining the concept of ‘winning.’ Young Coach Ron would take each loss extremely personally and fall into a sequence of emotions. Depression and anger, with eventual optimism about the next contest, was the repeated stir I had to process.
Old Coach Ron still feels the hunger pangs after a loss, but now looks for the tell-tale signs of a successful team. Was there significant improvement from the start of the season to the end? Was there chemistry and kindness built during the season that bonded the boys on and off the floor? Was there a commitment to the season with every player finishing and no quitting? Was there a maturity developed about the process of competition – compete, evaluate, adapt? Was there genuine sadness about the season coming to an end?
The Austin Catholic Crusaders basketball team of 2024-2025 checked all of these boxes and more. If you coach long enough, you will inevitably run through streams of talented athletes. You will also run through dry spells where athletic superiority is scarce. To suggest that only championship seasons are successful seasons, is completely short-sided and does coaching a disservice.
As a coach, you are, first, a teacher. Lessons arise from every nook of the season and when done correctly, the lessons taught strengthen life skills more than athletic skills.
I had the honor, at one time, to be the head football coach at Marine City high school. The football program there is one of the most successful in the state of Michigan. The program proudly boasts two State Championships, along with multiple Regional, District, and League Championships. More importantly, the program had just one losing season in the past 40 years.
I happened to be the head coach for that one losing season. I am just as proud of that team as any other team I coached. In fact, I might be more proud of that team because of the fight they displayed.
That team started the season with four straight losses and followed with four straight victories. A win in game nine would have sent them into the playoffs and secured another winning record. Game nine ended in an overtime loss against a playoff-bound, much bigger, school. The vision of every player falling to their knees in disappointing pain at the end of regulation is cemented in my mind. The agony of the loss, in my opinion, is a direct reflection of their commitment and dedication to the season and, in turn, is a huge positive.
In January, following that season, my father passed away. When every single player from that team attended his funeral in suit-and-tie, I knew those captains, and that team, understood the big picture – the idea that lessons learned in the trenches of competition and in the process of evaluation will strengthen the athlete’s resolve.
I look forward to watching Josh’s growth through his next journey as he graduates from Austin Catholic High School. I also look forward to collectively watching his great teammates attack the world with a commitment equal to, or greater than, what they have displayed this season.
The next time the age-old question is thrown my way, “Did you win?” I will choose between the following responses – a simple yes, a simple no, or the rebuttal question, “Define winning?” I suspect Old Coach Ron will answer with the latter and a smirk.
So proud of you Crimson Number Five, keep on flying!