JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Would you believe I picked Butler to make the Final Four ... and the Mountaineers to win it all? While I'm at it, I'm picking the 628th Comptroller Squadron to beat the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in the intramural basketball finals! While some may say, "Paik (pronounced Pack) is talking smack," here are eight things we can all embrace about March Madness.
1. David vs. Goliath: Gotta love Northern Iowa, Cornell and St Mary's. This year's tourney has been filled with "David vs. Goliath" moments. Huge underdogs slaying the top seeds. These victories embody heart and courage. They remind us with faith and character, anything is possible. Life's greatest challenges will always be a test of your faith, courage and character. Develop and practice them now.
2. One-and-Done ... Win or Go Home: Ah yes ... the "all or nothing" nature of the tournament. It demands a heightened level of urgency, desperation, energy and execution. Every play, every loose ball matters. Each game is a furious sprint. But to be crowned Champion, this fire of the WILL and the precision of SKILL must be sustained over six games, nearly one month. How's your attitude and intensity not just today, but every day? Are you "one-and-done" or does your attitude, performance and service reveal sustained excellence, worthy of a champion? You need to bring it every day!
3. Diaper Dandies! Freshmen who play like seniors. My favorite from two years ago ... Derrick Rose, now at 21, is an NBA All-Star. I quickly forget how young these players are. Many were born in the '90s! And yet, they stand on the biggest sports stage with the composure of seasoned veterans. In the same way, I am humbled and inspired when I witness the excellence of our young Airmen, handling tough missions with utmost composure. Yes, Charleston's Diaper Dandies!
4. Pure Passion: No doubt, college basketball is big business. But for the majority of players, it's still relatively untainted by money, contracts and careerism. It is basketball played for the purity and passion of the game, for their teammates, for the pride of their school and state. How about your service? Is it with that same sense of purity and passion, believing with Abraham Lincoln that our country is the "last best hope on earth?" Or have primary motives become clouded so it's just another day at the office, another paycheck, or another day closer to retirement?
5. 64 Teams - One Goal: The field of 64 represents every conference, contrasting demographics, different backgrounds and styles of play. Look no further than 2006, first round - Air Force Academy (future officers) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (future NBA stars) ... and the game was close! It defines the magic of this tournament ... vast diversity competing to be the best, and in effect, raising everyone's game. In many ways, that's our operational Air Force ... wings, squadrons, diverse functional career fields ... all different parts and walks of life, competing to be the best and in turn sharpening one another so we each raise our game ... to fly, fight, and win!
6. Leave It All On The Floor: Nothing like watching players lay it all out there, giving their absolute best for 40 minutes. In the course of a season, it can't help but culminate in tears of sadness or tears of joy. There's no hiding the emotions. It's an overflow of the hard work, sacrifice and dedication that comes with "leaving it all on the floor." Whether you receive orders, separate, or retire, don't hide the tears if you've left it all on the floor.
7. They call it the ROAD to the Final Four: From sweet to elite, final four to champion ... it doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey where 63 are knocked off and only one remains. Some teams like Duke and Michigan State always appear on that championship ROAD. It's a testament to their program and leadership. Making the "Big Dance" is one thing, but to walk that ROAD to greatness year after year ... look no further than their organizational culture (commitment to be the best) and their core values. Sound familiar?
8. One Shining Moment - Time to Make History: When the tourney ends, the song, "One Shining Moment," will play while reflecting on the top highlights. It's a CARPE DIEM moment ... seize the day, seize the experience ... because they are rare and fleeting. Team Charleston, we're making history right now. If "winning hearts and minds" is America's global strategy against terrorism, then our Airmen are at the forefront of this shining moment in history, as we deliver hope around the world every day. We live March Madness 365-days a year. Don't you forget it!