Nobody Wants to be 44 - A reflection on gratitude and patience

During my freshman year in College, I was assigned jersey number 44. My immediate thought was, "Nobody wants to be 44." Back in high school, I was number 20, inspired by my favorite player at the time, Gary Payton. Eager to reclaim my number, I approached my coach, only to be reminded of my freshman status. The only way to get a specific number was to convince the upperclassman who owned it to switch.

Confident in my persuasion skills, I approached the sophomore who had number 20. But no luck – he practically laughed me out of his dorm room! Undeterred, I propositioned every teammate for a different number. Five, ten, thirty – I wasn't superstitious; I'd even take thirteen. But the answer was always the same: "Nobody wants to be 44."

Faced with a choice between no jersey or embracing number 44, I chose the latter. Complaining wasn't my style, even at 18. So, I embraced it. I played JV games, sat on the varsity bench, and learned from seniors and coaches, firmly planting my feet as a Judson Eagle.

While the grasp of gratitude has certainly evaded every generation, advancements in technology and an abundance of options has made us even less prone to patience with our “44” in life.

While I’d like to pat myself on the back for embracing my 44 , the facts I can’t deny are that there was no transfer portal for me. There was no social media where I could post "my recruitment is open" and moments later receive the secretly addictive dopamine that is validation. Every disagreement I had with human beings was handled with human interaction. No block button could save me from embracing my “44”.

As I turn 44 today, I find myself part of this world of abundant choices. I too am apt to swipe left swiftly and often.  With each choice I make to avoid the things that bore me, frustrate me, or require patience from me, I wonder what are the pros and cons of evading life's "44's".   

Here is a list of 44 things that we are tempted to skip through our journey as Coaches parents and athletes:  Which ones resonate with you?

1. Athletes: Early morning practices.
2. Balancing homework with training.
3. Overcoming performance slumps.
4. Dealing with injuries.
5. Navigating team politics.
6. Coping with losing games.
7. Managing pressure to perform.
8. Enduring tough conditioning sessions.
9. Facing criticism from coaches or peers.
10. Recovering from mistakes during games.
11. Maintaining a healthy diet.
12. Juggling sports with social life.
13. Handling the stress of tryouts.
14. Dealing with bad referees.
15. Accepting a role on the team they don't like.
16. Coaches: Managing diverse athlete personalities.
17. Planning effective training sessions.
18. Dealing with parental pressure.
19. Balancing winning with player development.
20. Handling administrative tasks.
21. Ensuring fair playtime distribution.
22. Keeping up with coaching education.
23. Navigating budget constraints.
24. Coping with team losses.
25. Addressing discipline issues.
26. Communicating effectively with athletes and parents.
27. Organizing travel arrangements for games.
28. Dealing with weather-related disruptions.
29. Maintaining team morale.
30. Finding time for personal life.
31. Parents: Driving long distances to games and practices.
32. Balancing family time with sports schedules.
33. Dealing with the cost of sports equipment and fees.
34. Managing expectations for their child's success.
35. Understanding the coach's decisions.
36. Supporting their child through disappointments.
37. Encouraging academic performance alongside sports.
38. Handling early morning or late-night practices.
39. Navigating the politics of youth sports.
40. Ensuring their child's health and safety.
41. Coping with their child not making a team.
42. Dealing with inconsistent coaching.
43. Managing their own emotions during games.
44. Supporting their child's nutritional needs and social life.

That long list ultimately is only a portion of the things we must navigate through on our way to Athletic success.  But as is often the case, there is a bright side!  

In my sophomore year, as my story continues... my coach called me to say, "Rick, I think you should wear number 33. Scottie Pippen wears that number, and he does a little of everything, just like you. I believe in you." I loved and embraced 33, enjoying a hall of fame career with it. It became my number!

What are the things you love and embrace about your sports journey?  Here is a list of 33 things to love about sports to get you thinking:

1. Athletes: The thrill of competition and the adrenaline rush of games.
2. Achieving personal bests and breaking records.
3. The sense of accomplishment after a tough workout or practice.
4. Forming strong bonds and friendships with teammates.
5. Learning valuable life lessons like discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
6. The joy of playing the sport you love and are passionate about.
7. Traveling to new places for tournaments and games.
8. The pride of representing your school, club, or community.
9. The thrill of a home crowd getting loud in support of your play or quiet on the road!
10. The moment when you apply a new skill you have been practicing in game! 
11. The satisfaction of Always Getting Better
12. Coaches: Witnessing the development and growth of athletes.
13. The fulfillment of mentoring and positively impacting young lives.
14. The challenge and excitement of strategizing and game planning.
15. Celebrating team victories and individual achievements.
16. Building a team culture and fostering a sense of unity.
17. The opportunity to share knowledge and passion for the sport.
18. Seeing athletes overcome obstacles and succeed.
19. The camaraderie and collaboration with coaching staff and team members.
20. That perfect play call that puts your athlete in a position to succeed.
21. The pride in shaping not just athletes, but wholistic humans ready for family and professional life!
22. Parents: Watching their child's enjoyment and love for the sport.
23. Seeing their child grow, learn, and develop through sports.
24. The excitement of cheering and supporting their child at games.
25. Forming friendships with other parents and families.
26. The pride in their child's achievements and progress.
27. Being a part of their child's support system and journey.
28. Learning about the sport and becoming more involved.
29. The joy of seeing their child work as part of a team.
30. Witnessing their child handle success and setbacks gracefully.
31. The opportunity to teach and reinforce values like commitment and sportsmanship.
32. Celebrating the small and big moments of their child's sports career.
33. The shared experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

As we approach the holiday season, I invite you to count the "33s" in your life – the blessings, the successes, the joys.

But also, ponder this: What if I had never embraced my 44? Would I have been around to experience my 33?

We live in a world rich with options, allowing us to gravitate only towards what we prefer. But I challenge you, as I challenge myself, to embrace the 44s. There's growth, learning, and unexpected joy there.

 Always Get Better,

Rick