What is a racquetball celebrity? I guess there are no definitive answers but in a recent conversation with one of my respected pros they kind of dropped it on me that I was a racquetball “name” of stature. This is something I never planned. I was a player. All I wanted to do was be a champion in racquetball. I know what it is like to walk into a tournament and have nobody know who you are and have very little respect for your (my) playing abilities. I know what it is like to work hard, eat sprouts, run miles, lift weights, and run sprints to gain that respect that top players get. Sadly I also know how those abilities can leave you and you are almost back where you started. (in the racquetball world of current cred there is little difference from has been to never-was!)
For others, they skip the playing part and head to the “guru” part. They head for the governing boards or microphones. The sport needs these people although the two entities of players and the gurus often clash when implementing new policies, rules, or perceived importance. I have to confess that coaches fall into this category somewhere. I guess you can add us to the guru crowd because unlike athletes our career can last as long as we can.
Some years ago I had a great conversation with a HOF player. He talked of a good friend who coached top Pro tennis players. He told me of this man’s athletes relaying their innermost demons that keep them from success and how two things were necessary for coaching success:
1. Trust-never to repeat the personal “stuff” and take it to the grave and
2. Unabashed caring for that athlete above their athletic performance. That athlete as a person is far more important than how many tournaments or matches they win.
I do my best to adhere to these two rules.
When you charge for your services as I do, it gets real tricky. A student of mine once asked me if I was a businessman. His point was I should be making more money. I thought about that and the next day when I walked into the club the person at the front desk said, “Good morning Coach!”
That answered that question.
Where am I going with this? Nowhere-I’m rambling here! hahaha–I guess that in racquetball the athletes in their prime of life take center stage and have to have to leave that stage at some point. Time is undefeated. That is when they head for “guru” positions and as a player or a guru you need to be the best, the very best you can be!
So go get’em gurus (and tigers) !