Friday, September 2, 2011

30 DAYS TO A CHAMPIONSHIP: JUST LIKE BUILDING A HOUSE -- FOUNDATION FIRST

Coach Jim Boone: Certainly the this weekend will be spent with the continuous cycle of:

1. Getting to know my student-athletes on a deeper scale

2. Working them out to further help them know our system on a deeper scale

3. Hitting the weight room to help them know their body on a deeper scale (smile)

TEAM FIRST!

I will also continue to work with our new staff to help them not only know what we want to teach but more importantly, how we want it taught. Every second of every day we are in a position to be a leader and, as John Maxwell states, "leadership is influence." In the "first 30 days" that influence will lead us directly to the foundation of a culture that we want to build upon. It is similar to building a house. When you move into a new home, you are going to notice the light fixtures...you will notice kitchen appliances...you will notice halls, walls and doors. And they may very well be first-class and attractive. But what you can't see -- the footers below -- the floor and wall joists -- the foundation of the house -- is the key to the longevity of the structure. The better the foundation, the more rough weather it can stand...the longer it will remain intact. That's why the first 30 days are so important -- it's the foundation!

I am also going to eat lunch and dinner on campus today so I can visit with several of our students & faculty – trying to be very visible on campus. I will also be attending the opening football game on Saturday to meet more Bobcat fans – including one of the school’s all-time greatest fans, Charlie Elkins (former Hamlin Coach – Chuck’s Dad). As well, Head Football Coach Jonas Jackson, will be making his debut and I want to be there to support him - he has been great to us already – he played at EMU during my first two years as their head coach and we are both good friends with former EMU Coach, Jeff Woodruff at UTEP.