Published: January 24, 2009 12:20 am      

CORTESE: Encouragement goes a long way

Watching the inauguration of President Barack Obama made me proud to be an American. His election is an important lesson in how sports can have an influence on one’s life. After watching an interview with Chris Berman during Monday Night Football on November 3, 2008, I realized the strong impact sports had on him and his run for the White House.

During the interview President Obama remembers his rebelling against his basketball coach while playing at Hawaii’s Punahou High School. He remembers the time his coach told him, “Look, this is not about you. This about the team.” President Obama told Chris Berman, “It took me awhile, I think, to really understand that, but that is how I’ve approached the work that I’ve done in politics ever since.”

Last Tuesday he achieved what many thought was impossible, an African-American being elected President of the United States.

President Obama in many ways represents what a Triple Impact Competitor should look like in the world of politics. 1) He focuses on improving himself 2) He clearly has worked hard to make his team better 3) If you consider the United States and the World of Sports - he is focusing on making it a better place to live.

I can’t imagine a better example of why it is so important that our student-athletes are encouraged and supported during their participation in sports. Great things can happen.

The manner in which he conducted himself throughout the campaign may be the most striking lesson of all. He focused on mastery of the issues, learned from his mistakes and treated his opponent with respect.

Just in case you thought I voted for President Obama, you are wrong. However, his being my president and the leader of the greatest country in the world, I will support him as best I can. I hope you do as well. He has a tough game in front of him.

Thought for the week: “God bless America.”