Phil Martelli Practices What He Preaches
By Jon Buzby on October 19th, 2007 8:17 AM |
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The BUZZ in Philly
St. Joe’s Head Basketball Coach, Phil Martelli, seemed right at home on Thursday night at Clayton Hall on the University of Delaware campus. The only difference was he wasn’t standing on the hardwood, dressed in sweats with a whistle dangling from his neck. Instead, he sported a jacket and tie, and addressed a packed crowd at the annual Night of Heroes for Special Olympics Delaware.
It says a lot about the man, that during the first week of the college basketball season on his first night off from practice, he ventured down I-95 to share a special moment with this year’s Special Olympics heroes, highlighted by the presentation of the organization’s annual awards to dedicated athletes, volunteers and businesses.
Despite being in the national spotlight every night of the season at his sports’ highest level, Martelli was overwhelmed by the stories the athlete-presenters and award winners told about their Special Olympics experiences at the local level. The points Martelli made during his speech were perfect for not only the honorees, but the members of the audience, as well. He talked about six of the most important traits of being a complete person: Pride, Enthusiasm, Responsibility, Sacrifice, Opportunity and No Negatives.
After the formal ceremony Martelli hung around and signed over 100 copies of his recently-published book, “Don’t Call Me Coach: A Lesson Plan for Life,” which he co-authored with Harold Gullan, PhD. As the title suggests, the book is far more than just an easy read for basketball junkies.
Throughout the evening, Phil Martelli spread the message to the audience that is reflected in his book ~ that beyond winning and losing, sports provide something far more lasting ~ lessons for life.
It was the perfect lesson on a night to honor those who clearly have used sports as a vehicle to enhance lives, and not, just their own.
Jon Buzby is a nationally-syndicated columnist who also writes The BUZZ in New York at hotstovenewyork.com. He can be reached through his website at www.jonbuzby.com.
