Competition

Anyone that has reached a high level of success can talk with pride about the journey that got them there. They can do so because the route is typically filled with bumps and bruises. Both literal and figurative; the passage is speckled with obstacles, consistently reminding us “Nothing is free” and “Is it worth it?”

Of course, it’s usually worth it in the end. And needless to say nothing of value, no object of passion, no victory, comes easy. Indeed, every level of success comes with increasing levels of challenges, risks and threats. But without them the experience and understanding of character becomes lost.

There is no better definition of character than the Boise State Football program. Their path to success follows the same pattern. So I write this in hopes to provide a brief slice of where this program came from, how it changed, and with confidence, why it continues.

I can do this because I was there. I was there when we found a way to lose a game rather than win one, when we played to “not lose” rather than to win, and I was there the last time we lost to Idaho. I know this because more than just my blood, sweat and tears have fallen on that blue field. I know this because I recognize the game of football goes well beyond what is seen on that beautiful blue field.

This past decade has roots that began well beyond 13 years ago. The Father of Bronco Football Lyle Smith and his championship teams and Jim Criner’s stellar cast of the ‘80 National Championship run are large parts of the storied history. I also don’t forget Pokey Allen’s magic with the ‘94 team. But my story starts a few years after that magical year: same coach, higher division and my first year at Boise State.

I am very honored to be recruited by Pokey Allen’s staff. I strongly believe the rest of the ‘96 recruits can say the same. His staff recruited a special group that year. Not the most athletic and certainly not the most talented as our first season resulted in one of the worst in Boise State history, 2-10.

In ’96 we were just looking for any win. Then shortly after, a different kind of loss, Pokey Allen’s passing and a new head man in Houston Nutt. In his one season at the helm we were just trying to improve the win column, 4-7. Another coach and another year later Dirk Koetter led our improved team to it’s first winning season, 6-5, only to end it on a major downswing with an emotional loss to Idaho via the unforgettable 2-point conversion.

As much as that game hurt, it served a bigger purpose that would become apparent to me after my days at Boise State. I remember walking off that field as the team collectively, both in their hearts and minds, whispered, “never again.”

Then it all changed. In three seasons we had seen 3 coaching changes, multiple heart wrenching losses, and soon, complete emotional devastation with the death of teammate Paul Reyna. This all led up to the ‘99 season, the season that jump-started it all.

It didn’t happen overnight and it wasn’t because of one player, one coach, one season. It was an un-quantifiable mixture of components made up of coaches and players, games and experiences both positive and negative, heart and determination, fused by the fuel of passion that created our path to success.

The strength of Allen, the passion of Nutt, and the preparation of Koetter guided a ’99 team that was not the talented team on the field just the best team. It was a bond, a brotherhood few know of that committed to the nuances, grinds, and rigors done during, between, before and after every college football game every year for five years, all year. It is character. It is that same chip that rests so nicely on each shoulder pad of each player that dons the Boise State war bonnet today.

13 years ago this program was struggling find a win. Today it battles to win 13. And it is no coincidence that Boise State continues to be successful today. They represent the qualities of Bronco football at its highest pinnacle, tough, passionate, prepared, confident; cut from the same cloth that created something special in ‘99.

Some refer to the ‘99 Championship team as the foundation, others as the beginning of this Decade of Dominance. I am just proud to be a part of one massive building block that rests between the successes started in the BJC days of Lyle Smith to the current BCS days of Chris Petersen.

July 26th, 2009 | Tags: Boise State Football, confidence, emotion, preparation, toughness | Category: Themes | Leave a comment

Two concepts I am not that on board with. Unfortunately the world doesn’t tic, for lack of a better word, without them. They certainly go hand in hand in the business world. Essentially equaling each other out, you cant have one without the other. Interestingly enough though, when you disregard both, when you are at your finest, most humble, happiest times in life, these two concepts are not even a concern. Money and time becomes plentiful. Interesting…

March 7th, 2009 | Tags: concepts, Money, time | Category: Dreams | Leave a comment

Now I am certainly no master of politics and I can’t say that I am in the proper bracket to agree with everything that Obama stands for, but I admittedly like most of it. I did read his book The Audacity of Hope to get a better understanding of some of his ideas and I enjoyed what was read. But one thing is for sure, I do believe in the power of spiritual, positive energy and Mr. Obama carries it.

To listen to his words, his honest approach, and witness the electricity of excitement that he so radiantly emits is something that is difficult to debscribe, let alone explain verbally. Maybe I was just adamant about him and his campaign. Maybe I like what he has to say. Or maybe it is because I was surprised by the fortunate events that came about on a January Saturday morning in Boise, Idaho.

I think anyone would be remiss to not know the caliber of publicity that this President brings. Even in a conservative state like Idaho the buzz he brings is something worth talking about. So needless to say I was pretty excited to here about him making a pit stop in Boise that morning.

To make this story as brief as I possibly could, I will first start out with good news and bad news. The bad news is that I missed his speech in person. I had full intentions of going, I just didn’t expect to see how many other people that the same intention. I thought gathering a nice breakfast with some chaps, drinking my coffee, to eventually mosey on down around 8:00 was a pretty good plan. Bad idea it turns out.

So many people were in line to witness his words that not everyone could get in. And based on the looks of the scene while doing the drive by I most likely would have been in the same crowd of late arrivals. Stuck in the cold, forced to listen to it on a speaker system set up outside. Time to go home or at least I thought.

For on our way back my buddy notices a few police officers surrounding a few dark SUVs nestled in the valet section of a downtown hotel. Taking the wishful opportunity to chance a look we parked across the street and walked into the lobby, ordered some coffees, and glanced at the men in ties and earpieces, and sat on the cozy couches.

“This can’t be for him. Can it?” we said among ourselves.

But low and behold at about four sips into my cup of morning brew out of the elevator walks the man himself. There was no media, no cameras, a few security people, myself and two friends, and a family of five with the same wishful intentions we had.

“Mr. Obama, Nice to meet you sir.” I say after he shakes the few hands before me. I state my name. He graciously says it back along with a great handshake.

I said nothing else. What else do I say in that situation? Go get ‘em? Thanks for coming? Best of Luck? Those and many more would have sufficed but shaking his hand and subconsciously realizing the potential impact this man could have on our country and the rest of the world weighed heavily on my emotions. I mean the guy practically lit the room up with his glowing positive vibe.

As for emotions? Well, I did not foresee the impact his win would have on me. When the news outlets officially announced his historic win and seeing the live video feed of people shouting and cheering I could not help but let go of my emotions as I witnessed such positive energy.

It was quite moving and needless to say some very unexpected joy ran down my face as I was finally hit with the realization of such an event. I am relatively young when it comes to elections but I can’t imagine there has been an election with such an impact as this one has been, nor probably ever will be. Certainly not on me. Inexperienced or not, with the attitude and radiant energy the soon to be President Obama brings there is not much that can’t be done. 

November 10th, 2008 | Tags: Barrack, Boise, emotions, handshake, hotel lobby, Idaho, Obama, positive energy, president, radiant | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (1)

I just read one of Rick Reilly’s blogs, ESPN.com. It not only garnered attention because I enjoy reading what he has to say but it brought about a few memories of the ol’ ball playing days.

It was freshman year of high school, about this same time of year. Fall, 1992. It was obviously football season and we were playing a tough Elko team. Elko was a smaller town in the eastern part of the state and was the only high school in the town. Being the only one, making numbers not a problem.

My school was different. We struggled to get people out, let alone someone with football talent. We had a “pre-season” game against a school much like Elko’s, Carson City, a bigger city. Their freshman numbers were literally four times ours, stretching across the whole sideline, a long line of deep blue across a pathetic stint of green and white. We had 25 at best, making a handful that never left the field. No score was kept that day but we knew who won. 

Fast forward to the season, Elko. Not only did we have minimal numbers to begin the season but grade checks just came out. We lost a third of the team that day. We lined up with 16, which meant 5 were on the sidelines at any given time. Probably the same five. We scored one touchdown, missed the extra point, and had a huge goal line stand forcing a field goal. We won 6-3 and to this day it still goes down as one of the biggest challenges I have been a part of.

When odds are stacked against us we tend to find that much more within. The situation doesn’t’ have to be a sport, or a silly game; it expands across life. When there is nothing else to fall back on, when there is literally no one to turn to, we tend to perform at a higher level. The challenge rests solely on one’s shoulders.There is definitely nothing wrong with gathering guidance, especially when uncertainty arises, but willingness to compete given a bad state of affairs is a lesson in guidance truly learned.

October 6th, 2008 | Tags: 1992, Elko, fall, football, freshman, high school | Category: Themes | Leave a comment