Anson Dorrance, 22 time National Champion, former Head Women's Soccer Coach UNC | Grading Character

Summary

The speaker discusses the success of their sports team, attributing it to playing for something greater than themselves and constructing 'small societies' within the team to foster unity. They emphasize the impact of personal letters to seniors before championship games, which they believe enhance team spirit and performance. The speaker shares stories of playing for individuals like a cancer victim and their wife, highlighting the team's core values and the transformative power of character development.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The team has an impressive record of winning 22 out of 24 National Championship Finals, highlighting their excellence during high-stakes games.
• 🤝 The importance of playing for something greater than oneself is emphasized, with a focus on teamwork and mutual support.
• 🌐 The concept of constructing 'small societies' within the team to foster unity and collective responsibility is introduced.
• 💌 The tradition of writing personal letters to seniors before the championship game is described, illustrating the power of personal connection and appreciation.
• 📜 The impact of these letters is profound, as they serve as a motivational tool that has helped the team succeed in 20 out of 24 instances.
• 🏥 A touching story about playing for a young cancer victim named Kelly Moldun, who became a symbolic part of the team, is shared.
• 🏅 The team's top award, the Kelly Moldun Award, is not for the best player but for character, reflecting the team's core values.
• 🔄 The team's culture revolves around core values and continuous renewal, with championships seen as temporary achievements.
• 📚 The idea of memorizing motivational quotes tied to core values is used to instill a sense of character and identity within the team.
• 💍 The coach's personal connection to the championship in 2012, when the team played for his wife who was ill, is a testament to the emotional depth of the team's motivations.
• 🌼 The coach's philosophy on the ephemeral nature of achievements is shared, stressing the importance of character development over temporary success.

Q & A

How many National Championship Finals has the speaker's team been in?

The speaker's team has been in 24 National Championship Finals.

Out of those 24 Championship Finals, how many national championships have they won?

They have won 22 national championships.

What is the speaker's philosophy on team building and playing for something greater than oneself?

The speaker believes in recruiting elements where players compete not just for themselves but for each other, creating small societies within the team to foster mutual support and playing for something greater than individual success.

What is the significance of writing letters to seniors before the National Championship game?

The speaker spends the entire day before the National Championship game writing a letter to every senior on the roster, expressing gratitude for their contributions. This practice is believed to be more powerful than the speaker's own alertness during the game.

What is the impact of these letters on the team's performance?

The letters serve as a motivational tool, often leading the team to victory. Out of 24 games, they have won 20 times when using this approach.

Can you provide an example of a player who embodied both strength and care?

The player Caroline Bonaparte, nicknamed 'Care,' is an example of someone who had the capacity to be incredibly strong and hard but also unbelievably soft and caring.

How did the team's motivation shift when playing for a fan battling cancer?

The team dedicated their Championship run to Kelly Moldun, a fan battling cancer, and played with the intention of winning it for her. This motivation led them to victory, and in her honor, the top award at the University of North Carolina was named the Kelly Moldun Award.

What is the importance of core values in the team's culture?

Core values are central to the team's culture, with 12 core values that the team members strive to embody. These values are evaluated twice a year and are considered more important than individual achievements.

How did the team adapt the concept of memorizing literature to instill core values?

The team adapted the concept by memorizing motivational quotations attached to each core value, which transformed their thinking and feeling about those values, leading to a cultural change within the team.

What is the significance of the speaker wearing a championship ring from 2012?

The speaker wears the 2012 championship ring because that team played for the most important person in his life, his wife, who was battling a severe autoimmune disease at the time.

How does the speaker view the temporary nature of achievements in athletics?

The speaker views achievements in athletics as temporary, emphasizing the importance of renewal and continuous striving for potential rather than dwelling on past victories.