The Over-Privileged
Earlier this week, I attended the Rise & Shine For Kids Sake breakfast, hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County. The main goal was to raise money and awareness for this great non-profit organization, but I was lucky enough to hear one of the greatest collegiate coaches of all time. Within the lineup of speakers, Coach Carol Hutchins, the Head Women's Softball Coach at the University of Michigan spoke of the importance of mentor-ship. She is lucky enough to be a mentor for hundreds, perhaps thousands of young women who have been members of the Michigan Softball team. However, she needed mentors along the way too.
Now "Hutch" isn't just another coach. She has led her team to 18 B1G titles, the 2005 NCAA Championship and has the 2nd most wins in collegiate softball history, so far. Not too shabby, and Hutch isn't done. She's figured out a way to win an outdoor sport in the state of Michigan, when many would expect such acclaimed success in warmer climates only. So, when "Hutch" speaks, I listen!!
Coach Hutch fields the question often; as a coach, what do you DO all day? Her answer: I work with the OVER-PRIVILEGED. I love this. People who have the opportunity to attend university belong to an extremely privileged group. And, the students who are able to attend the University of Michigan are even more special (of course, I realize this is a biased opinion, but full disclosure; I agree!). The softball team at Michigan gets to travel around the United States playing a sport they love. Most of them are also receiving a scholarship to participate.
The message the coaching staff for Michigan Softball sends to their team:
We are the OVER-PRIVILEGED
Life is NOT FAIR
You will face ADVERSITY -- It's whether or not you GET BACK UP, that counts
Life is no longer about ME -- It's about US
The message she sends to her team members is one of grace, humility, hard work and respect. It's no wonder this program has had such success throughout three decades. Her players can't be entitled. Her players can't have a fixed mindset -- or else they wouldn't get up. That life is about what you give, not what you get. Only the grittiest players survive and thrive. And, I bet she recruits based on character as much, or more than softball ability. You better have both if you're lucky enough to receive mentor-ship from Hutch.
We all need mentors in our life. The strongest of leaders can easily point their fingers to the people that helped inspire and push them along the way. And the beautiful wheel of skilled leadership turns; what Coach Hutch preaches to her team, is melding our future mentors. I think the over-privileged young women, under Hutch, will be equipped to be an effective mentor when given the chance. Thanks Hutch!