Survive and Advance. Need a hug?
I’ve always been a sports fan. However, I’m not as much of a “sports fan” now as I was when I was younger. I still enjoy watching the tactics, passion, and pageantry of collegiate and pro sports. Something recently took me back to 1983. I was 18 years old. I was getting ready for college (UNCW).
I went with my stepfather to the last NC State game of 1983. The game was against Wake Forest. NC State won by 40+ points. Crush job. However, State needed more than a miracle to get to the NCAA Tournament. State’s only chance of getting into the NCAA Tournament was to win the ACC tournament. VERY unlikely. Just like in life, you will eventually meet an old foe or adversary. How do you/will you respond? States first opponent was, of course, Wake Forest. The team that they dismantled a few days ago. The game was a dogfight. State barely survived 71-70. State then had to play LONG time rival….the North Carolina Tarheels. State wins in overtime. What? Impossible. Next up, the dominant Virginia Cavaliers. Incredibly, State is in a position to make it to the NCAA tourney. They have life. Barely. They HAVE to beat Virginia. They beat Virginia. Wow. NC State is going “dancing”. After they won the ACC tournament I went to Reynolds Coliseum and I saw the entire team leaving the back entrance of the coliseum. I hurried over and asked all the players and coach Valvano to sign my NC State hat. They obliged. (I STILL have it!)
NCAA Tournament: State's first game was against Pepperdine. State wins in Double Overtime. They get the nickname Cardiac Pack. Then UNLV, Utah, Virginia (again!), and Georgia. All wins. Insane. Jim Valvano famously coined the saying “Survive and Advance”. Miraculously the lackluster, no shine NC State Team is forming into a cohesive, successful group at the right time. Surely the world class Houston Cougars would end the fairy tale? Nope. NC State wins on a miracle shot at the last second. I went bat sh!t crazy. What was only a dream, became a reality.
My “Hero”, at the time, NC State Coach Jim Valvano (50 seconds in ), was looking for a hug. He just wanted a damn hug. In the euphoria of an incredible win… he couldn’t find ANYONE to hug. Jesus, don’t you see me? I just coached all of you to the biggest win in the history of NCAA Basketball and no hug? I can relate. With all the changes in my life, I’ve achieved peace and happiness. I had average (emotionally speaking) teen years and early adulthood. Searching for “hugs” but never really finding them. I had more losses than wins. College, marriage, and kids (all documented in previous posts). But, over the last few years, I’ve turned the average into good. Striving for incredible. Some days I’m like “Hey, do you guys see me? I’m kicking ass. How about a high five or a hug?”. 🤣
NC State, in 1983, was going nowhere. Then it clicked. The team bought in to being great. They overcame an average season and became excellent (and National Champs). Sports and life comparisons are usually empty and void of meaning. But I feel very much like that team, 40 years later. Average early life, becoming better each day.
I’ve overcome. I’m happy. I’m a champ. I also realize there will be challenges ahead. I will give a hug and get a hug. If you are in a challenging situation, in your training, relationships, work or just life, know things can and will change. You just have to do the work. It will click. However, just like a winning team, you have to stop, assess and change. You have to put effort and time into it. I am. I will continue.
Jim Valvano’s famous speech (his body littered with cancer) “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up”.
Laugh, think and cry.
Tailwinds,
Chad