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What Are Good Gifts For Basketball Coaches?

Gifts for basketball coaches can be a tough quest at a busy time of year.    Look no further… we have suggestions for all budgets and fits.  The lower price items can be bought by one basketball player or family.  The higher priced for programs whose basketball booster clubs or a family organizes group giving.  Don’t forget to check the bottom section for gifts that would be great for a basketball coach, but don’t have anything to do with basketball.

For the coaches reading this, you might want to get yourself something or share a link with anyone who asks what you want for a gift.

We got all the gifts located on their Amazon platform as we know that can make things easier for you as most already have an account set up.   Pricing is subject to change so please check pricing in cart before buying.  We recommend these products on either the actual previous use or the desire to purchase at some point and the process of online review.   We may be paid an affiliate commission by Amazon for your purchase of these items… at no extra charge to you.   This helps support our efforts and the time we invested into making your shopping easier.  Happy Holidays to All!

Gifts For Basketball Coaches Under $20

Handheld Whistle 

Hand Squeeze Whistle. This handheld whistle is loud, easy to use and allows coaches to coach verbally while still managing a scrimmage or running a drill.  It is also more pandemic friendly as you can wear a mask with it and also are not dealing with whistle drool etc.   I personally use it in camps, training and refereeing scrimmages like our Real Run program.

Men’s Basketball Woven Crew Novelty Socks 

Your coach has a passion for the game that is infectious.  These dress socks can help let them tastefully show their passion with style!

Because I’m the Coach That’s Why T Shirt-Coach Gift

Warning: no family member seems to buy in on this logic so wearing this shirt may or may not provide you with the authority you seek off the  court but will certainly provide some laughs along the way.

Mrs Basketball Coach T-Shirt – Coaches Wife Gift Shirt

Basketball Coach Wives make a huge amount of sacrifices.   The incoming texts, emails, and logisitic challenges never end.  Your family often seems like a priority over hers… as the coach tries to manage  up to 45 kids in a program.   Make her feel appreciated with this small gift for all the sacrifices she has made.  And where on Earth is the Basketball Coach’s Husband shirt?

 

Spalding Nba 3 Panel Autograph Basketball (29.5) 

Even the coach that appears less than sentimental loves his teams.   One of the best gifts is this basketball and having the team break out a sharpie to all sign the ball.   It goes great in the coaches office, her home or maybe on a shelf running the span of their garage if they have been coaching for years.  Make sure you get the autographed basketball display holder below to go with it!

AITEE Acrylic Ball Display Stand Holder

Critical to keep the autographed ball looking classy and also safe from being ruined.

YANGHX 3D Illusion Lamp Sport Basketball Modern led Touch lamp Desk Light (Color: Multicolor)

Your coach works late into the night, and this LED light can keep the mood playful and thematic.   I have not actually used this light, and I think I would need the “I’m the Coach, That’s Why Tshirt” if I placed it on my wife’s nightstand…. but April Fools is right around the corner.

Elite Clipboards Dry Erase Coaches Clipboard | Double-Sided Coach Marker Board

I have used several clipboards, not because they get slammed to the floor but because I have a superpower capacity to leave them behind.  Some coaches must worry about the opposition finding their secret play diagrammed… but you need to have execution success to worry about that.

 

Gifts Under $50 For Basketball Coaches

Spalding NBA Pebble Composite Leather Pad Holder

This is the classic and used to be very difficult to get a hold of.   The brass corners help durability immeasurably for the coach who tends to “drop” their folder.   Not going to mention any names, you know who you are.

Wilson NCAA Basketball Leather Folder 

This is a great alternative to the NBA Folder above and can connect for the more college focused coach.  I have had both and this one is my personal favorite.

COACH Hoodie – Hoodie For Men & Women Coaches

The perfect gift for the basketball coach who loves people and wants to help them grow.  This word means so much to them.   It is who made their lives better and who they aspire to be each day.

 

Best Coach Ever Stainless Steel Tumbler 

For the “best” basketball coach.  Apparently they only made one mug for the “best.’   And yet there are supplies available!  You can get them for your assistants and write “Second” in front of best with a white sharpie.  🙂

Basketball Insulated & Personalized Vacuum Insulated Mug

Coffee is the lifeblood for many coaches who burn the candle all night thinking of ways to improve our young people  and their team’s performance.   Personalize their coffee cup so they have a nice touch to start their days.  Great way to touch your Coach’s heart every day.

 

Coach Shelf Desk Decor and Signature Pen

As mentioned before… there is no higher title a coach would prefer to be called.  Not your Majesty, not your Honor, not Boss.  For some, the exception might be Mom or Dad.   Get this ordered and also have the team sign.   Beautiful gift from the heart for a shelf in the office!

Basketball Coach Gift Frame

Okay kids, put down the Tik Tok long enough to use that camera on your phone to take an informal team photo ASAP and take it to Walgreens etc to get the picture blown up and frame it here.  You got this… do it tomorrow!

 

Great Gifts For Basketball Coaches Under $100

Hamilton Beach Single Serve and 12 Pot Coffeemaker

We mentioned coffee as the lifeblood of many coaches.   This can go perfect in the office, near the court (but away from those bricklayers who seem to hit everything but the net.)  It can also be great in the bedroom to help a coach wake in a luxury touch.   Enough for single serve or a whole pot.

 

Gifts Ideas For Basketball Coaches Under $250

Montblanc Blue Signature Pen

I knew a coach who would never lend us his pen.   He told us a team got him this Montblanc and it was very special to him because he knew each player chipped in and he felt like it kept that team with him forever.   Again, a coach does not typically treat themselves to such a luxury item but if the team parents pass the hat, this can be an affordable luxury that tells the coach they are special.

 

Beats by Dr. Dre – Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones – (Black)  

These are great if a coach needs to block out all the noise and get some quiet time with their own headspace.  I have a pair of these and love them on plane rides and more!!  If you think your coach would prefer the Air Pods… get them here.

Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones – Apple H1 Headphone Chip

I love these.  I see so many kids trying to work out with AirPods and my kids do love those.  I personally feel the bass on these is far superior and they don’t fall out of my ear when I exercise.  Perfect for listening to Old School Hip Hop without having your players make fun of you.  Also good for Zoom calls and your favorite basketball podcast from Chris Oliver.  (That one time last year.)

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Quartz Titanium Strap, Silver, 25.5 Casual Watch (Model: BM7431-51E)  

Some coaches prefer a more dressy watch and this watch hits the compromise between form and function.  I love Citizen watches because of the titanium bracelet that is both light and durable.  My last Citizen watch lasted over 20 years and I have not found a better watch at this price range or higher (I have not exactly been wearing Rolexes.)  Their Eco-Drive system requires no battery replacement due to solar power and it is a highly reliable timepiece with a second hand coaches require.  It is waterproof and looks good with either a suit or a t-shirt.  That versatility is valued by  coaches and his/her loved ones who like them looking sharp.  It is currently on sale and if 12 players chip in it can be as little as $15 per player.  Citizen makes great watches for women and we also see many women wearing mens watches now so glance around the options.

 

Basketball Coach Gifts Under $500

JBL Boombox – Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Black 

I have found these JBL portable speakers to be top quality and have a good bass end.   I recently ran over their JBL Extreme speaker with my Honda while we prepared for an outdoor bodyweight strength for basketball bootcamp.  The Extreme series seems to be discontinued, but this looks like most comparable as gift .  These are awesome to bring to practice or on the team bus.  Great for lunch outside during the tournament or in the basketball weight room.

SAMSUNG 50-inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series – 4K UHD HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (UN50TU8000FXZA, 2020 Model)

Coaches watch a lot of video and a big screen TV can help them pick up things on the basketball scouting duties a laptop will not.   This would go great on the wall in their office or if they have life outside of basketball in their own home.  She will appreciate this gift that helps her help her team.   This Smart TV has Alexa built in and many next gen apps available to it all for a low price and a reliable brand.

 

New Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 44mm) – Blue Aluminum Case with Deep Navy Sport Band

Managing time is often the most challenging aspect of a basketball coach’s job.  This watch helps me to receive texts from late or sick players without checking my phone during practice.  It allows me to not carry a stopwatch so I can time players.  The vibrate feature allows me to set a timer to keep me focused on the task and the agenda. It allows me to dictate a note for future consideration during a practice without running to a notebook.   The truth is many basketball coaches consider this an expensive luxury item for their kids… but not themselves.   Coaches can really make their practices more productive and less stressful with this watch and I love mine.

 

Under $10,000 🙂

YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler 

This is a great luxury item that a coach is unlikely to splurge on themselves.   They can use it for their family or for their team, or perhaps for the girls night out (yes female coaches like a Yeti too.)

 

 

 

Gifts For Basketball Coaches That Need A Life Outside of Hoops

WeciBor Men’s Cotton Crew Socks, 12-Pack

Have a coach who has a sense of style for the arts?   These make a perfect gift set and will help you smile as you see their socks while they jump around the sidelines during games.

 

Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook

Your coach love to keep track of ideas in a handwritten notebook, but never can find them later?  This notebook is perfect as it allows notes to transfer digitally.  Lightweight and good videos to help you learn the system.

 

Hamilton Beach Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Imagine how great a mood your coach will arrive to morning practice after he has had a great simple breakfast sandwich made painless with this awesome contraption.

 

Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit – Large 19.5 Inch Stainless Steel Outdoor Smokeless Firepit

Help your coach relax and unwind after your team has 30 plus turnovers and you see their blood pressure rise on the sidelines.   This smokeless fireplace is portable and looks sharp and will allow your coach to sit down with their favorite beverage and just chill as they watch the flames dance.  Also can be a nice way to help Coach connect with their family in a circle.   Innovative twist on a time honored classic.

Sondiko Butame Torch $18.99

This is not to light a fire under less than motivated players for all the Bobby Knight disciples out there.   It is great for putting great finishing touch on burgers and other foods.  Chef Coach will be pleased.

 

Bagsmart Electronic Organizer $14.99

Are you or your coach constantly struggling to find a phone charger?   There is a simple reason for that… they are constantly on their phone dealing with player and family needs, other coaches, logistics and their own family.   Help make their life easier by putting together this bag with some chargers and also cords.

 

You have a tough job looking for the perfect basketball gift for you coach, coaching staff or basketball coaching friend.   Let’s hope this list has provided some information in making your job easier and saving you time.

 

This article has been contributed by Chris Corbett.  Chris serves as the founder of Austin Youth Basketball.  His new project BasketballTrainer.com launches January where he hopes to connect ambitious basketball families to great trainers, camps, select teams and products.   He is also a partner in BasketballHQ.com, and Coachtube.com.   Chris looks forward to being a speaker for USA Basketball in 2021 and helping his own two daughters Ellie and Charlee achieve their basketball goals without driving his wife nuts.  Chris also looks forward to playing with his Vintage Team led by Tim Rice in the 2021 Galway Masters.

 

 

 

 

These are some defensive concepts from Frank Martin, Men’s Basketball Coach the University of South Carolina.

• Don’t cheat your kids. It’s the reason you coach. Someone kicked your butt into doing it right. Don’t allow your kids to slide.
• If you allow [your opponent] to set up, play, and establish their identity, they’ll beat you.
• Defense starts with pressure offense. Run every time. We’re going to put you on your heels
• “I believe in making [our opponents] throw long  passes.”
• Communication, “If you care about winning, you talk to your
  teammates!”
• Teams now are either going to shoot 3’s or layups. If they dribble drive, it’s going to be a dunk. There is no in-between game anymore.” – Prepare accordingly.
• Teams don’t get easy baskets against set defenses that are back and ready to guard.
• Re: Wing Denial Backdoor Cuts, On-ball defender responsible for the lob (ball pressure will eliminate easy look as well as make the pass longer, higher, slower). 1 pass away (deny position) is responsible for taking away the bounce pass.
• Passes go over or under the defense; never THROUGH the defense. Create long passes.
• Opponents never catch the ball facing the basket. Defender should apply so much pressure that they always catch with back to the bucket.
• Teaching point: On ball defense – “Crawl up in him.” [I like this terminology. Creates an image of a low stance]
• Teaching point: On ball defense – “Crack of your ass to the glass.” Nose on top hip.
• Basic philosophy: No layups. No 3’s. Hard 2’s
• Put tennis balls in the hands of the defenders, especially in 1-on-1 drills.
• Keeps hands off the offense and eliminates hand checking.
• “We don’t accept being screened.”
• Teaching point: 1 pass away – “Shrink the gap.” On the line, up the line.
• When a dribble drive occurs, we don’t teach the 1-pass-away to open up and turn his back to the offense. We teach our guys to plug the gap with their butt. This allows our guys to see their man the whole time and makes for quicker close outs.

Click here for  information on the complete basketball practice e-book
“130 Great Ideas to Get a Lot More Accomplished in Practice”

The Coaching Toolbox has hundreds of resources for basketball coaching including basketball practice, basketball plays, basketball drills, basketball quotes, basketball workouts, basketball poems, and more!

Coaching Basketball

I learned from my basketball coaching mentor, Coach Mike Sorrell, that the five most important TEAM statistical categories are:

1)  Field Goal Percentage
2)  Free Throw Percentage
3)  Rebounds
4)  Turnovers
5)  Fouls

We never ranked them in order of importance, but Coach Sorrell always geared each season’s overall plan and then game planned for each opponent to be able to win at least three of the five categories as I did when I left his program to become a head coach.

I have found in the 100s of high school basketball games that I have been involved in that it is nearly impossible to win three of the five categories and lose the game. The times that it is possible are when one team dominates the three point shooting or is able to get more possessions by getting the last shot of each quarter.

I have also learned that is is very difficult to win all five categories. The few times the teams I coached have been able to win all five categories, the results have been lopsided victories.

Tom Crean conducted a study using Statistics from 2005 Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Big 12, and CUSA Season games that shows that there actually is an order of importance to those statistics.

I found the results of Coach Crean’s study in the newsletter distributed by Coach Creighton Burns:

1. The team that recorded the high field goal percentage was the winner in 75 percent of the basketball games.
2. The team that scored the most free throws was the eventual winner in 70 percent of the games.
3. The team that recovered the higher number of rebounds was the winner 65 percent of the time.
4. The team that committed the higher number of personal fouls was the eventual winner in oniy 25 percent of the games.
5. The team that held the point advantage at halftime was the winner 74 percent of the time.

After seeing the study, I am even more convinced as to the value of keeping the ball out of the lane on defense, taking care of the ball to get high percentage shots on offense, and playing very hard on defense, but without fouling as the staple ingredients for our system of play year in and year out.

The Coaching Toolbox has hundreds of resources for coaching basketball including basketball practice, basketball plays, basketball drills, basketball quotes, basketball workouts, basketball poems, and more!

Here are some thoughts from some very successful Basketball Coaches.  I hope you can use them to help your program at some time.

“A Loser says, “Well at least I tried!” When in reality, at most he tried; A Winner doesn’t have to say it, he just does it…be a doer, not a trier..”–Randy E. Johnson

“To encourage the taking of good shots, we sometimes scrimmaged without keeping score on the board. I secretly gave the score to a manager, and all the scoring was based on shot selection. A great shot (layup), even if it didn’t go in, was worth three points; a good shot, even if it didn’t fall, was two points; for a shot that was merely acceptable because of the shot clock winding down, one point. If a player made a tough three-point shot that shouldn’t have been taken, zero points. Loss of ball without getting a shot was minus two points. We defined a good shot as one the shooter could make most of the time that was taken with our rebounders in position, unless it was an open layup.”–Dean Smith

“Defense doesn’t break down on the help, it breaks down on the recovery.” — Chuck Daly

“It is as big a mistake to turn down a good shot as it is to take a bad one.”–Ed Murphy

“You are always teaching your players something. When you scream at them, what are you teaching them? Before every practice or game, you need to decide, “WHAT WILL YOU TEACH YOUR KIDS TODAY, AND HOW WILL YOU TEACH IT?”–Unknown

“We Must OUTLAST the offense on every possession! Great defense takes consistent effort and commitment to excellence, every second of every practice and every game. It is not good enough to just go through the motions, to give the impression that you are trying, that you care. You must take PRIDE in your defense, in your effort, and be committed to OUTLASTING your opponent. You have to believe that! Anything less gives our opponents the edge. Gentlemen, we must OUTLAST the offense on every possession. That must be our foundation.”–Dick Bennett

“The coach should be the absolute boss, but he still should maintain an open mind.”–Red Auerbach

“We all want to be important. However the person who thinks I am the most important part of the team should remember this. Life is like a buck of water. We are a part of the whole. But how big is the hole that is left when we take away a large cup of water? The hole suddenly fills up and…so life goes. The nature of life is that there is always someone who can and will take your place, when you think you are irreplaceable.” –Unknown

“The more your players have to think on the basketball court, the slower their feet get.” — Jerry Tarkanian

“A successful team is like an iceberg, everyone sees the star, but underneath it all is that big, wide, strong base: the rest of the team. Without that base, the star sinks too.”–Unknown

Online-Basketball-Drills.com

This was written by Alan Stein

…Many kids today don’t understand that basketball is a we game – not a me game. They play for the scorebook, not the scoreboard. Am I allowed one more cliché? They play for the name on the back of their jersey instead of the name on the front. OK, I think 3 overused coaching clichés should suffice in getting my point across.

Kidding aside, there are 3 symptoms of the ‘disease of me’ – each of which severely stagnates a player’s growth and development. Having worked a ton of camps and events this summer, I have seen each of these symptoms from players of every age and every level:

1. Too cool

2. Too good

3. Too shy

Too cool:

 

This symptom is rampant… in fact it is a borderline epidemic. Players are too cool to listen when a coach is talking, too cool to show enthusiasm during drills, too cool to warm-up properly, too cool to get on the floor for a loose ball or take a charge, and too cool let the people around them know that they don’t understand something or need some help. Players are often more concerned with ‘how they look’ then ‘how they perform.’ To paraphrase Woody Harrelson in White Men Can’t Jump – players that are too cool would ‘rather look good and lose than look bad and win.’

Too good:

This symptom is tricky… because it is actually an illusion. The players who think they are too good – actually aren’t! They aren’t anywhere close to being good enough, much less too good! They are so hypnotized by their ranking, or brainwashed by their entourage, that they won’t admit they have areas of their game that need improvement. They are too good to work on their left, too good to work on their footwork, or too good to work on their mid-range game. Who needs to be able to do those things when you can dribble between your legs 19 times in a row or dunk the ball with ease? Players that are too good are often shoot 1st, pass 2nd type players. Actually, they are usually shoot 1st, shoot 2nd, and don’t pass type players. They never bother with making those around them better. If a teammate can’t hold their own on the court… that is their problem.

Too shy:

This symptom is complicated as well. I don’t know if I would go as far as to say that being too shy is selfish per se; but being shy does stunt improvement. You have to be assertive if you want to get better! You can’t be too shy to ask questions. You can’t be too shy to reach out and ask for help from your coach. You can’t be too shy to verbally communicate on offense and defense. Most kids aren’t shy when it comes to texting, Twitter, and Facebook… but they quickly go into a shell when expected to speak face to face.

If you are trying to be the best player you can be… to maximize your potential and play at the highest level possible… you can’t be too cool, too good, or too shy. You need to find a cure for the ‘disease of me.’

The Coaching Toolbox has hundreds of resources for coaching basketball including basketball practice, basketball plays, basketball drills, basketball quotes, basketball workouts, basketball poems, and more!

I received this from Steve Smiley.  The values are from The North Carolina women’s soccer program.  They have won 20 NCAA National Championships since 1982.  So, even though these are not from a basketball program, there is definitely something you can use to develop your basketball program’s culture.

The University of North Carolina Women’s Soccer Team’s Core Values 2012

People who make a living from studying what makes organizations excellent usually boil their consistent success down to the group living a powerful set of core values. So if you were to read “In Search of Excellence: Lessons from America’s Best Run Companies” (by Tom Peters et. Al) or “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies” (by Collins & Porras) or “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap . . . and Others Don’t (Collins) or even “The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People (Covey) or “The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management” (Smith), and these might be the best of the books by the brightest minds, . . . what these people are trying to teach us is this: there are certain principles of behavior that produce extraordinary results.

Every year when I meet with the rising seniors each week in the spring our discussions center around our core values and what they can do to live them and how they can help drive everyone within the culture to live them as well. Human nature being what it is, some leaders embrace the personal and public challenge of our discussions and some don’t; just like some people within the culture live the core values and some just don’t have the strength.

What we are trying to do now is collect our core values under an umbrella of quotes that are meaningful to us (coaches and rising seniors). Obviously since I have been reflecting on this longer and with a better understanding of what kind of behavior will positively effect our culture (because I have seen quite a bit in coaching the past 36 years) much of what you are going to digest are ideas that have inspired me.

Still every rising senior has made contributions or is sold on these ideas because we ask them to review them in the spring. We need them to embrace and live what we have collected below because our culture and core values are only as strong as our leaders and what they endorse and drive as acceptable behavior.
So over the past 33 years, since our program began in 1979, what are the best elements of our tradition? What are our core values?

The Core Values

I. Let’s begin with this, we don’t whine. This tough individual can handle any situation and never complains about anything on or off the field. (“The true joy in life is to be a force of fortune instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” George Bernard Shaw).

TOUGH – from Nordic wheel cross signifying thunder, power, and energy

 

II. The truly extraordinary do something every day. This individual has remarkable self-discipline, does the summer workout sheets from beginning to end without omission or substitution, and every day has a plan to do something to get better. (“Roosevelt, more than any other man living within the range of notoriety showed the singular primitive quality that belongs to ultimate matter, the quality that medieval theology assigned to God: ‘he was pure act’.” Henry Adams Theodore Rex – Desmond Morris).

DISCIPLINED – from “careful” cycle on washing machine

 

III. And we want these four years of college to be rich, valuable and deep. This is that focused individual that is here for the “right reason” to get an education. She leads her life here with the proper balance and an orientation towards her intellectual growth, and against the highest public standards and most noble universal ideals, she makes good choices to best represent herself, her team, and her university. (“College is about books. And by the word books, the proposition means this: College is about the best available tools—books, computers, lab equipment—for broadening your mastery of one or more important subjects that will go on deepening your understanding of the world, yourself and the people around you.

This will almost certainly be the last time in your life when other people bear the expense of awarding you four years of financially unburdened time. If you use the years primarily for mastering the skills of social life—as though those skills shouldn’t already have been acquired by the end of middle school—or if you use these years for testing the degree to which your vulnerable brain and body can bear the strains of the alcoholism with which a number of students depart campus, or the sexual excess that can seem so rewarding (to name only two of the lurking maelstroms), then you may ultimately leave this vast table of nutriment as the one more prematurely burnt-out case.” Reynolds Price).

FOCUSED – from camera focus button

IV. We work hard. This individual embodies the “indefatigable human spirit” and never stops pushing herself. She is absolutely relentless in training and in the match. (“The difference between one person and another, between the weak and the powerful, the great and the insignificant, is energy – invisible determination . . . This quality will do anything that has to be done in the world, and no talents, no circumstances, no opportunities will make you a great person without it.” Thomas Buxton – Philanthropist).

RELENTLESS – from the symbol for Saturn: god of “relentless natural forces”

 

V. We don’t freak out over ridiculous issues or live in fragile states of emotional catharsis or create crises where none should exist. The best example is the even-keeled stoic that is forever unflappable and resilient. The worst example is the “over-bred dog,” that high maintenance, overly sensitive “flower” that becomes unstable or volatile over nothing significant. (“What an extraordinary place of liberties the West really is . . . exempt from many of the relentless physical and social obligations necessary for a traditional life for survival, they become spoiled and fragile like over bred dogs; neurotic and prone to a host of emotional crises elsewhere.” Jason Elliot An Unexpected Light: Travels in Afghanistan).

RESILIENT – nautical buoy symbol which rises and falls with the water,
always staying upright.

VI. We choose to be positive. Nothing can depress or upset this powerful and positive life force – no mood swings, not even negative circumstances can affect this “rock”. (“ . . . everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. And there were always choices to make. Every day, every hour, offered the opportunity to make a decision, a decision which determined whether you would or would not submit to those powers which threatened to rob you of your very self, your inner freedom; which determined whether or not you would become the plaything of circumstance . . . in the final analysis it becomes clear that the sort of person (you are is) the result of an inner decision . . . therefore, any man can . . . decide . . . that (this) last inner freedom cannot be lost.” Viktor E. Frankl Man’s Search for Meaning).

POSITIVE

 

VII. We treat everyone with respect. This is that classy angel that goes out of her way to never separate herself from anyone or make anyone feel beneath her. “Class is the graceful way you treat someone even when they can do nothing for you.” Doug Smith, Mgr (’86))

CLASSY – British hobo symbol for “here live generous people”

 

VIII. We care about each other as teammates and as human beings. This is that non-judgmental, caring and inclusive friend that never says a negative thing about anyone and embraces everyone because of their humanity, with no elitist separation by academic class, social class, race, religious preference, or sexual orientation. (“No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main . . . any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” John Donne For Whom the Bell Tolls).

CARING

 

IX. When we don’t play as much as we would like we are noble and still support the team and its mission. This remarkably noble, self sacrificing, generous human being always places the team before herself. (“If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete. The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity – even under the most difficult circumstances – to add a deeper meaning to his life. It may remain brave, dignified and unselfish. Or in the bitter fight for self-preservation he may forget his human dignity and become no more than an animal. Here lies the chance for a man either to make use of or to forgo the opportunities of attaining the moral values that a difficult situation may afford him. And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not.” Viktor E. Frankl Man’s Search for Meaning).

NOBLE – Hittite sign for king

 

 

X. We play for each other. This is the kind of player that works herself to death covering for all of her teammates in the toughest games. Her effort and care (her verbal encouragement) make her a pleasure to play with and her selflessness on and off the field helps everyone around her. (“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Note given to me by Rakel Karvelsson (UNC ’98))

SELFLESS – from combination of ancient symbols for “not” and “relating to self”

 

XI. We are well led. This is the verbal leader on the field that is less concerned about her popularity and more concerned about holding everyone to their highest standards and driving her teammates to their potential. This galvanizing person competes all the time and demands that everyone else do as well! (“Not long ago, to ‘believe in yourself’ meant taking a principled, and often lonely, stand when it appeared difficult or dangerous to do so. Now it means accepting one’s own desires and inclinations, whatever they may be, and taking whatever steps that may be necessary to advance them.” William Damon Greater Expectations).

(“Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect.” Carl Sandburg about Abraham Lincoln)

GALVANIZING – international symbol for pushbutton or switch

 

XII. We want our lives (and not just in soccer) to be never ending ascensions but for that to happen properly our fundamental attitude about life and our appreciation for it is critical. This is that humble, gracious high-achiever that is grateful for everything that she has been given in life, and has a contagious generosity and optimism that lights up a room just by walking into it. (“Finally there is the question of whether we have a duty to feel grateful. Hundreds of generations who came before us lived dire, short lives, in deprivation or hunger, in ignorance or under oppression or during war, and did so partly motivated by the dream that someday there would be men and women who lived long lives in liberty with plenty to eat and without fear of an approaching storm.

Suffering through privation, those who came before us accumulated the knowledge that makes our lives favored; fought the battles that made our lives free; physically built much of what we rely on for our prosperity; and, most important, shaped the ideals of liberty. For all the myriad problems of modern society, we now live in the world our forebears would have wished for us—in many ways, a better place than they dared imagine. For us not to feel grateful is treacherous selfishness.

Failing to feel grateful to those who came before is such a corrosive notion, it must account at some level for part of our bad feelings about the present. The solution—a rebirth of thankfulness—is in our self-interest”. Gregg Easterbrook, The Progress Paradox.)

GRATEFUL – Gordian knot indicating person is “bound” by debt of thanks