John Sweeney is an exceptional interviewer with a contagious sense of humor, and a knack for getting guests to open up regarding their personal experiences on the subject at hand. I was delighted to be invited as a guest on his Stories with Sweeney podcast. John asked me to talk about my approaches to leadershipContinue reading “Discipline and Focus – the Stories with Sweeney podcast”
Category Archives: Pro Sports
Part Man, Part Machine
Communication between the dugout, catcher, and pitcher used to be an art form. Pitching coach signs wipes, taps, and touches that could easily be mistaken for parking a plane. The catcher’s fingers twitch freakishly between the legs; savvy catchers paint fingernail polish on their nails to ensure the pitcher’s view of the sign. A dissentingContinue reading “Part Man, Part Machine”
Let “The Game” Solve the Problem
The best college football rivalry has added spice this season. I’m not talking about the Bedlam series; there’s nothing rival about a game where one team has a 91 to 19 advantage over its opponent. It is not the Iron Bowl, although the Auburn/Alabama games have produced some entertaining results. The 2023 Egg Bowl wasContinue reading “Let “The Game” Solve the Problem”
NFL Quarterback Conundrum 2023
Dramatic departures, attention grabbing hold outs, and a few smart signings will punctuate the NFL quarterback carousel of 2023. The league and the individual QBs themselves have successfully parlayed this off season’s quarterback shuffle in to a media blitz. This year’s QB shuffle has been more compelling than most, but it has also shined aContinue reading “NFL Quarterback Conundrum 2023”
Respect. Does Kevin Durant Really Deserve It?
For years and years, the adages ”Respect is earned, never given”, and ”Let your actions do the talking”, have been taught as words to live by. Many top pro athletes are taking the exact opposite approach to these philosophies. The result has fostered a generation of players who appear more as prima-donnas rather than theContinue reading “Respect. Does Kevin Durant Really Deserve It?”
The Rules of Kindergarten Still Apply
There was a time when conflicts amongst athletes, coaches and their administrations were held behind closed doors. Opposing parties said their peace, and even if unsatisfied, came out on the other side mostly unscathed. Nowadays those classy meetings are few and far between, making way for conflict resolution held in the court of public opinion,Continue reading “The Rules of Kindergarten Still Apply”
A Rose by Any Other Name…
Commitment means everything in college sports. Coaches will tell you that buy in means the world to the success of their programs. Without buy in, practices have less energy and focus, and ultimately teams cannot meet their potential in competition. College athletes are asked to sign a National Letter of Intent committing to play aContinue reading “A Rose by Any Other Name…”
Is There Room for the Good Guy in Pro Sports?
Professional sports is being overrun by the bad guy. Social Media, Television, and Talk radio fuel the flame for pro sport punks. Turn on any sports show and you will learn about one guy who said this, one other guy who wants to leave his team because of that. Is there still room for theContinue reading “Is There Room for the Good Guy in Pro Sports?”
A Heavyweight Title Bout Between the Kid and the GOAT
Tom Brady versus Patrick Mahomes. It will be impossible to divert our gaze on Sunday from arguably the most significant individual matchup in the history of the Super Bowl. The big four pro sports have successfully drawn more eyes to their games by highlighting individual matchups over the teams themselves. The NBA no longer saysContinue reading “A Heavyweight Title Bout Between the Kid and the GOAT”
Big Time Fan Bases and the Media Must Lower the Bar
Many fan bases would have us think that they are perennial championship contenders year in and year out for decades on end. However, their perceptions are based upon antiquated successes of yesteryear, opportunistic media, overspending on athletes, and the forgotten reality that other teams are working to build their teams in the face of theseContinue reading “Big Time Fan Bases and the Media Must Lower the Bar”
Paul MacDonald - Sports Broadcaster 