What Is A TEAM?
By: Coach Steven Schultz
A bunch of I’s stumble into the abyss and rise and fall,
Walk and run, crawl and cry, increase and stall,
Strive and settle, triumph and fail, and ultimately, buy in or leave.
A funeral for the ego and the loss of “me” we all momentarily grieve.
The wise ones who continued the journey come to know the power in a shared dream.
Those are the Champions that form the identity that is a TEAM.
Reminiscing back with grown eyes upon the echoes of departed youth,
The sayings of our coach transcribed from confusion to life-elevating truth.
Hand in hand, step-by-step, shoulder-to-shoulder, rising above the rest.
Becoming a TEAM is when we passed one of the most challenging tests.
Esteem for all, no challenge too difficult, no progress too small.
No individual alone has to single handedly carry the ball.
Lean on me, you have my back as I have yours.
Whatever you need, count on me, we will procure and open all doors.
Boys to men, doubting to confident, average to great, vulnerable to strong.
Being constantly critiqued on everything that’s been done wrong.
Pat on the back in encouragement, arms wide open for embrace,
Slap on the butt in order to make sure you keep up with the pace.
Our sacrifices we understand, our memories no one on the outside will ever know.
Connected to each other forever, as years go by we watch as our extended families grow.
How special and important to the development of our person,
Were those many months we spent together in unison.
If only we knew then, what our eyes now show
If only we could have appreciated it properly, not have let time go.
Without saying what should have been said,
We could have kept our spirits fed.
Not letting each other down, never giving up,
Our TEAM was the true prize, not some trophy or 1 st place cup.
The questions linger: Did we do our part; play as hard as we could?
Give our all to the TEAM, put in the hours of preparation we should?
No regrets, will not look back in shame.
We were classy all the way, always respecting this greatest game.
For some on the baseball diamond, gridiron, or the parquet hardwood.
We learned some of life’s most valuable lessons, although then, our coach, we never understood.
The game is so simple, yet we complicated, whining about minutes.
Should have listened more, put TEAM first, not the dreams of our parents.
Our final game ended, our TEAM, our status, we were no more.
Unable to shoot, swing, or tackle again; all that was left were our tears on the floor.
Not once more would we be under the lights, hear our name announced, or the fans cheer.
Focusing on what was lost, realizing not what we gained, family who would be there year after year.
Grown now, perspective matured, looking back on our seasons with such reverence.
We always look forward to see each other, nothing elevates as being in our teammates presence.
TEAM is everything, truly what matters most I must confide.
Personal growth gained once we let go of our selfish pride.
Becoming the best of which we are capable, everyday being better than before.
Teaching, leading, and serving, knowing happiness by giving twice more.
What does it mean to have achieved TEAM?
Getting there, staying there, is living the dream.
Together minds expand and empower all of our fellow Human Beings.
Nothing out of reach, our capabilities are now “Anything and All Things.”
Knowing that you are cared for, never alone, and believed in.
Will be loved no matter how much time passes since it was our season.
Forget the records, wins and losses, scores, and all of the doubters and critics pretending supreme.
We have Excellence and Success, as long as we are eternally a TEAM.
