Keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing!

This weekend marks the 120th playing of “The Game” — St. Johnsbury Academy versus Lyndon Institute. The rivalry dates back to the fall of 1894, making it one of the oldest high school football rivalries in the nation. In 2013, USA Today conducted a national poll to determine the greatest high school football rivalry in America. The Game swept the Vermont, New England, and Eastern regions before finishing fourth in the nation overall.

The week leading up to The Game is Spirit Week — a celebration that transforms the entire school. Teachers and students dress according to daily themes, classes decorate hallways, floats are built for the parade, pep-chapel skits bring energy to the auditorium, and the bell towers in each town are illuminated with school colors. This year, for the first time in history, The Game will be played under the lights on Saturday night. Add to that the fact that we’re competing for the #2 or #3 seed in the state tournament, and it’s easy to see how distractions can multiply.

I have a former high school teammate, lifelong friend, and retired Marine LtCol who often reminds me that when life pulls in too many directions: “Focus on the mission.”

From a leadership perspective, personal example matters. As coaches, we have to model the focus and discipline we expect from our players. Our actions should reflect the same attention and composure we ask of them. We reinforce that focus in the words that follow our actions — and by publicly recognizing those student-athletes who lead by example. And when necessary, in quieter moments, we take time to counsel those who drift from the mission and our collective goals.

In football, academics, or in life, remember to keep the main thing, the main thing!

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!