Dogged Pursuit of Excellence
We are 18 days in to training for what could be the biggest season ever for Cornerstone Men's Soccer. As you continue to prepare this summer for 2012 season, I want you to think about and apply this phrase-Dogged Pursuit of Excellence". The definition that I love most for excellence is by Dave Brandt, current coach of the Naval Academy and formerly of Messiah College. Brandt's impressive coaching resume includes the following:
• Fifth-highest winning percentage (.824) all-time in NCAA history (any level). Brandt ranks second on the active list.
• Four-time NSCAA Coach of Year (2000, 2002, 2004, 2008)
• Reached NCAA Division III Championship weekend in eight of his last nine years at Messiah.
• Led Messiah to six NCAA titles and 52 post-season wins, the most in Division III history.
• His 2005 team is one of five schools since the NCAA went to three divisions in 1974 to go through an entire season undefeated (24-0-0) and the 24 wins were the most of those five schools. The 24 wins are tied for the second most (with just two other teams) in NCAA history.
• Fastest coach ever at any level to 200-win mark.
• Coached five NSCAA Players of the Year recipients, 18 NSCAA All-Americans, 44 NSCAA All-Region selections, 12 Conference Players of the Year (every year while at Messiah) and 81 All-Conference performers (almost seven per year).
• Led Messiah team to 11 MAC Commonwealth regular-season titles and eight conference tournament titles. Was named the league's coach of the year eight teams.
Here is Brandt's definition of excellence:
"Excellence is deliberate actions-ordinary in and of themselves, performed consistently, carefully, and compounded together added up over time".
All of you have the ability to pursue excellence in your training for the next 54 days (Varsity preseason). The question is, will you make it deliberate?...Seniors, as you enter in to your final preseason, I want to thank you for helping to change the culture of the men's soccer program. I also want to challenge you to make this 2012 season count like no other. On and off the field, you have pursued excellence in 3 key areas. Spiritually, I have seen you bring to life our mission statement through such things as the time we have spent in the Dominican Republic, Zambia, running Night of Nets, your commitment to small groups and team devotions and so many other areas. Academically, we will have 5 Academic All Americans and 9 Academic All Conference athletes this fall. Our varsity team gpa is a 2.96. On the field, you won the 2011 WHAC Championship and now have the opportunity to win back to back WHAC Championships for the first time in many years. But we are not done! You still have to doggedly pursue a few more christmas trees before we get there...Underclassmen, you have an obligation to keep improving the culture of men's soccer. It has taken a lot of blood, sweat and love to get us to this point. Your commitment to the Dogged Pursuit of Excellence is the only way we can continue to grow.
To sum up my Training Notes, I want to use a quote from our summer reading, Love Does by Bob Goff... " I used to think Jesus motivated us with ultimatums, but now I know He pursues us in love...I understand just a little more how God has pursued me in creative and whimsical ways that did not get my attention. Nevertheless, He wouldn't stop. That's what love does-it pursues blindly, unflinchingly, and without end. When you go after something you love, you'll do anything it takes to get it, even if it costs everything." It is my hope that you will pursue the 2012 season with this kind of love.
Have a great week and get your paperwork done and in to me as soon as possible!
Coach Bell
Monday, June 18, 2012
