Today in the car I ran across a talk radio show featuring John Calipari, the UK men's basketball coach. I'm not a fan of sports or talk radio, so normally I'd have immediately flipped to another station. However, it got very interesting very fast.
He talked about appearing at an event recently. I gathered it had something to do with race when he said he felt uneasy about being invited because he knew nothing about what it was like in 50s and 60s. He said he had however heard stories about it from people he knew. (I came home and used the magic of the internet to determine he was talking about the ESPN Town Hall Meeting about the Image of the Black Athlete on ESPN on Friday).
He then went on to say how being the coach at Kentucky has given him such a platform to impact the lives of others. He shared two lessons he's tried to impart his team
Lesson #1
He tells his players that as athletes, they will be treated differently. He said they may think that because they are treated well, there are no issues. However, he wants them to know their "brothers" (his word) may not being receiving that same treatment. He instructs them that they have to stand up for those who don't have the same resources who aren't being treated properly.
Summary: Always fight for the fair treatment of others
Lesson #2
Calipari stated the perception of athletes is that they make a lot of money, then blow it. He admitted "unfortunately, that perception is true". He said all his players get "the money talk" before leaving UK. He instructs them to put their first million in the bank and never touch it. The goal is to let that money sit and grow until it doubles. After it hits $2 million, they should be able to live on the interest generated. He says they should "make their money work for them, not work for their money". He tells players to bank the $1 million, take care of their mothers, and play it close to the vest. He also said he and his wife are starting a program through their foundation to teach financial literacy to kids in Kentucky schools.
Summary: You need a plan to manage your money so you have some to manage
His comments made me think about how each one of us is given a platform through which we can impact others. Think of all the people with whom you come into contact every week- coworkers, family, friends, workers in the businesses you frequent, etc. We have some many opportunities to positively or negatively make a difference in someone else's life. So often we are so busy we forget that I think. We need to be more cognisant of the way our behaviors, words, etc. can help or hinder others.
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As we were waiting for church to start this evening, I was telling my mom about Lesson #2 that Calipari tries to teach his players. The gentleman in front of us at church turned around and said that Calipari had lunch with Warren Buffett soon after he started at UK. It was something on Calipari's bucket list. I said I'd like to have lunch with Warren Buffett too. The gentleman added "compound interest can be your best friend or your worst enemy." I agreed, stating "It depends on if you're paying it or receiving it".
The sermon today also talked about "walking the talk" (good correlation with Calipari's Lesson #1) and how money doesn't change your character (related to Lesson #2).
I truly believe my day worked out so that I would hear that radio program and sit behind that specific gentleman at church which all went so well with the sermon. God is very good with coordination.
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