I continue to think about what is needed to make a difference, to change an outcome or even start a string of success. As a former coach, you are always trying to find the creative way to surge ahead of your competition.
In thinking about this and looking out the front of Williams Physical Education Center for so long, I had often thought about our first impression for fans, recruits, student-athletes, etc. Our parking lot had suffered through too many winters, and too many heavy trucks. Pot holes and faded parking lanes had over taken the lot, a place where people who come to visit park.
The side road to the gym is also a bit of a problem, as it is a gravel, dusty trail to the back our our gym, training room and indoor and outdoor tennis courts. During the summertime, it gets warm in the gym and we open the doors, only to have the dust come onto the court, creating quite a glaze and even more problems for our surface.
So, with the help of our leaders on campus, we made it a priority to find help to change our first impression. And just recently we completed a paving project for the front lot and the side road.
It has become such an upgrade, it got me to thinking about tipping points. Could this first impression make a difference for us. Naturally, I hope so, as I want others to see how important this can be to a successful sports program.
We take pride in what we have and always are left to dream. But this is a good first step to really building something even more special as people see the impact this can make on so many.
Now parking for graduation, basketball games, recruit visits, camps, etc. will be so much more effective.
My hope is this is one of many tipping points for our college, as well as athletic departments.
Can you make a difference?
Craig
