I've been watching a ton of Olympics the past 2 weeks. The unique stories that each athlete brings with them to the games are amazing. Yet, there is a common thread to all of them - that the athletes are there not only because of their genetic gifts and inhuman work ethic, but also because of their "team" of supporters (read 'family') that have created time and room for them to explore their athletic potential.

Our athletes at UMD are no different. Lost in the background of our individual athlete's successes are so many parent hours driving, parent $'s supporting and parent ears listening during good and tough times. Lost in the background of our team's success are the innumerable hours spent by the alumni, assistant coaches, trainer, and parent's that make our team's experiences so unique. Whether it is Lara and Jeff accompanying a player to the hospital and staying with him for 6 hours, the admission department's tireless support of our program, the alumni group doubling their donation in one of the worst recessions in modern history, Carol Whiteis leading the parent's group, Julie Champ first bringing "bars" to the team, parents planning family vacations around our trips, Mike Nispel taking & posting photographs, Pete and Wally Lauria being our Road Warriors/Video coordinators, the Madden's opening their house to us this weekend for a team lunch in Rochester, the "magical water cooler" that always shows up full at our games, Dr. Pitzl and Brad Johnson hustling across the field to assist with a player, and/or my assistants taking numerous vacation days away from work and weekends away from wives/loved ones, it is too easy to miss their help, and take it for granted. So, to all of you, whether listed or not above, - please know that your efforts ARE NOT taken for granted. I, the coaches, and our players know of our good fortune and treasure it. Thank you. We are so fortunate for your support.

• Interesting weekend outside our little team's world in the MCLA. Check out some scores at www.collegelax.us or www.mcla.us Many of our future opponents were active this weekend.
   
• Our UMLL teams are working hard out of conference. Marquette lost a close one to perennial SELC power Georgia Tech. Mankato plays a "triple header" soon in the North East. And Minnesota, in addition to beating Lindenwood, is attacking the Big 10 MCLA schools with gusto. I think all of them will continue to build strength.
   
• UMD's Rec Sport Dept's pursuit of Equality over Fairness, combined with UW-Superior's lessened dome availability make it even more important for our athletes to ask themselves, while alone and looking in a mirror - "How hard do I work when no-one's looking?" Elite athletes can never lie to themselves, and cannot accept the incorrect answer to that question. We each must make a concerted effort to find individual time to build our skills. We've never "checked up" on people to see if they are doing what they should - when we do well, it is because we each work very hard when no-one is watching. We will either "Do" or "Do not" - excuses mean nothing in the athletic cauldron.
   
• For all the proper attention on our Senior players, we're really a young team. Our next month will see those young players challenged to mature, and challenge our mature players to lead in stressful times. And that reminds me why I do this.