101 Positive Athletic Traditions: Building Team Legacies, Eliminating Hazing
Why Write This Book?
Traditions are part of a coach's legacy. Many times the memories of athletics are left to chance based on winning or losing. This book provides some meaningful methods for bringing your teams together and creating positive lessons that can be passed on year to year. As I travel the country and talk to student-athletes, one of the questions I ask upperclassmen is, "What is your most vivid memory of a senior when you were a freshman?" Too often it is a memory about the senior who threatened to shave their head, tie them to the goal posts, or "turn them into a mummy." Why does hazing exist? From the kids' perspective, it is simple; they think, "This is what was done to me, and now it is my turn and my right to do it to someone else, and I am going to add on a little bit." Actions tend to quickly cross the line from something that might be considered harmless to something that is harmful, hurtful, or illegal. This has to change. Coaches need to lead the way by providing an alternative path. There are many great ways to welcome people onto your team and create good and lasting memories on a daily basis. Correctly building positive traditions will culminate in seniors who understand and model real leadership, and will fill these graduates from your program with the good kind of pride — shared joy of the inner circle, known as TEAM.