Next month, after more than 1,000 wins and induction into the ABCA Hall of Fame, my Collegiate Coach and Mentor, Dusty Rhodes, is retiring from coaching. And even though the man who "taught me how to play (and coach) the game the right way" may be riding off in the sunset; his ways, his philosophies, and his system will continue to grow and prosper through all of us who had the good fortune of playing for him.
I'll never forget my first day with Coach Rhodes. We had gathered as a team in the stadium bleachers behind the plate waiting for him to speak. Today was to be our first practice. Our first chance to show what we could do. Our first step towards winning a National Championship. And as Coach Rhodes paced back and forth at the base of the stairs, we all sat anxiously waiting to get on the field and start practice, when finally, he spoke.
"Real quick, guys, before we get started...How many of you have Championship rings?"
Silence permeated over the bleachers. We all looked around at one another, wondering, "where's he going with this?" Two guys eventually raised their right hands and Coach pointed them out, "Yes?"
One of the young men who had raised his hand announced that he had won a State Championship with Sarasota High School last season. "Good...good." Coach Rhodes said, "Excellent program...And you?"
The other young man let us all know that he had been a member of the past summer's American Legion State Championship team in Deland. "Excellent." Coach Rhodes said, "Now, what about the rest of you?...Where's your rings?"
As he so often did back in those days, he built up the moment with quiet intensity. He paced before us and asked again, "Well, where is your ring?...You don't have a ring?" And as our heads shook in answer and our eyes fell down in disgrace, Coach then asked "Well, do you know want to know why you don't have a ring?"
Immediately, every young man looked directly into his eyes. Longing for the answer. Wanting to win a ring. Wishing to be a part of a Championship team.
"BECAUSE THEY DON'T GIVE THOSE THINGS AWAY!!! YOU HAVE TO EARN THEM!!! AND YOU BEGIN TO EARN THEM TODAY!!! ON THAT FIELD!!! RIGHT HERE!!! RIGHT NOW!!! SO LET'S GO!!!
I don't know if I ever ran onto a field as hard as I did in that moment. Coach Rhodes had found a way to speak to all of us and inspire us to reach for those rings. And looking back now as a man who owns three Championship rings (two as a player, and one as a Head Coach), it is true. They don't give them away. You do have to earn them. And you have to realize that the ring should be your goal from Day One. Just as Coach Rhodes taught us, so many years ago.
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