The Winning Formula
From the series: "STAND OUT IN THE CROWD"
by Frank Allocco, Sr.
Series Introduction
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
- 2.9% of high school players will play college basketball.
- Less than 1 in 75, or 1.3 percent of NCAA Seniors will be drafted by an NBA Team.
- About 3 in 10,000 players (0.03 percent) of high school seniors will eventually be drafted by an NBA team.
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
At the height of competitive scholastic and athletic pursuits at the University of Notre Dame, it was soon apparent that the formation of my future was at hand. In measured self contemplation, I began to investigate and plan the next chapters of my life. I had always thought that my argumentative nature might have a positive value in the potential pursuit of an ambitious vocation as a trial attorney. Though a career path in law presented many serious challenges, my main concern was securing the necessary tuition funds. Little did I know that a solution to that overwhelming issue would present itself to me on Cartier Field, the historic practice complex of the Notre Dame Football program.
The incoming class of 1975 was the last class in NCAA history that was restricted from competing in varsity athletics as freshman. Unable to participate at the highest level, our thankless duties were to prepare the varsity team for their national competition while we played a very limited four game schedule against collegiate teams in our region, just a bus ride away. Just months ago, we were heroes performing in sold out high school stadiums. Now we were earning our bumps and bruises, gaining valuable experience preparing the star-studded Irish football team.
The incoming class of 1975 was the last class in NCAA history that was restricted from competing in varsity athletics as freshman. Unable to participate at the highest level, our thankless duties were to prepare the varsity team for their national competition while we played a very limited four game schedule against collegiate teams in our region, just a bus ride away. Just months ago, we were heroes performing in sold out high school stadiums. Now we were earning our bumps and bruises, gaining valuable experience preparing the star-studded Irish football team.
My excitement was immeasurable as I listened and learned, studying his coaching technique, each day preparing me to assist him when my playing days were over.
One of our favorite freshman coaches was Larry Dinardo, a 1970 consensus All-American who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. The undersized guard spurned an NFL career to attend Notre Dame Law School, earning his way by serving as a graduate assistant in our football program. Armed with that newly discovered information, I decided I would one day follow his course and solve my law school financial challenges. My plan was a solid and achievable one and I began to regularly interact with my current coach and hopefully, future boss, Coach Ara Parseghian. My excitement was immeasurable as I listened and learned, studying his coaching technique, each day preparing me to assist him when my playing days were over.
Just one obstacle was left so I finally approached Coach Parseghian and expressed my coaching interest to him. Fortunately, he was most receptive to the idea. It was comforting to know that the next stage of my life was in place and I would earn my tuition and continue my “life education” alongside my beloved mentor. Three years later, my game plan was gratefully stalled when Coach informed me of the NCAA’s decision to grant me an extra redshirt semester and a fifth season on the esteemed football team. Although I was excited for the challenges of law school, the anticipation of a final opportunity to lead the Fighting Irish on the gridiron was too much to surrender.
Just one obstacle was left so I finally approached Coach Parseghian and expressed my coaching interest to him. Fortunately, he was most receptive to the idea. It was comforting to know that the next stage of my life was in place and I would earn my tuition and continue my “life education” alongside my beloved mentor. Three years later, my game plan was gratefully stalled when Coach informed me of the NCAA’s decision to grant me an extra redshirt semester and a fifth season on the esteemed football team. Although I was excited for the challenges of law school, the anticipation of a final opportunity to lead the Fighting Irish on the gridiron was too much to surrender.
Although I was excited for the challenges of law school, the anticipation of a final opportunity to lead the Fighting Irish on the gridiron was too much to surrender.
My precise plans were derailed in late November of my senior year, when Coach announced his retirement, effective at the conclusion of our Orange Bowl game against the number one ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama. With the upcoming change in coaches, I was unsure of my future prospects and decided to expand the scope of my applications to several law schools on the east coast.
Prior to my December graduation, I received a call from Richard and Thomas Boning, twin brothers and devoted “subway alumni” who were passionate elementary school reading specialists and the creators of the Specific Skills Series, a reading comprehension program that would change the teaching of reading in America. The success of this series was overwhelming and their part-time “garage company” blossomed into a multi-million dollar educational publishing firm.
I was aware of their profession, having conducted research during the previous summer for several of the non-fiction books they were writing. During our lengthy phone conversation, they invited my family and me to their annual company Christmas Party conducted at the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Midway through the elegant dinner, Tom enticingly escorted me to the majestic hotel lobby where we comfortably sat in the overstuffed leather chairs. A natural storyteller, he entertained me with his countless tales of the road and the challenges of bringing his educational tools to the school districts across the country. After thirty minutes, hypnotized by his every word, the offer of a sales position with his company and a salary beyond my expectations had me quite intrigued.
After a few moments of reflection, I sincerely expressed my gratitude but definitively informed him of my plan to attend law school. Tom was persistent and pleaded; “Work with us for eight months and if you don’t like it, you can leave and attend law school.” I expressed my reservations, citing my lack of knowledge in the field of education and the subject of reading. I also stressed my aversion to rejection and the word “no.”
Not satisfied with my response, he silently gazed around the spacious lobby and asked: “How many light bulbs do you think are in this hotel?” I hesitantly answered; “a million?” He never did reply to my answer, but did say that five salesmen bid on the contract to sell those countless lights, with one earning the business and the others walking away empty handed. He then asked how many square feet of carpet were in the forty-seven story building. I told him I had no idea, to which he replied; “five companies bid on that sale and one got it, and the others moved on.” Finally, he asked me to speculate on the amount of furniture contained in the fourteen hundred and fifteen rooms. After my third uncertain response, he once again repeated that five salespeople bid on the job and only one was victorious.
Prior to my December graduation, I received a call from Richard and Thomas Boning, twin brothers and devoted “subway alumni” who were passionate elementary school reading specialists and the creators of the Specific Skills Series, a reading comprehension program that would change the teaching of reading in America. The success of this series was overwhelming and their part-time “garage company” blossomed into a multi-million dollar educational publishing firm.
I was aware of their profession, having conducted research during the previous summer for several of the non-fiction books they were writing. During our lengthy phone conversation, they invited my family and me to their annual company Christmas Party conducted at the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Midway through the elegant dinner, Tom enticingly escorted me to the majestic hotel lobby where we comfortably sat in the overstuffed leather chairs. A natural storyteller, he entertained me with his countless tales of the road and the challenges of bringing his educational tools to the school districts across the country. After thirty minutes, hypnotized by his every word, the offer of a sales position with his company and a salary beyond my expectations had me quite intrigued.
After a few moments of reflection, I sincerely expressed my gratitude but definitively informed him of my plan to attend law school. Tom was persistent and pleaded; “Work with us for eight months and if you don’t like it, you can leave and attend law school.” I expressed my reservations, citing my lack of knowledge in the field of education and the subject of reading. I also stressed my aversion to rejection and the word “no.”
Not satisfied with my response, he silently gazed around the spacious lobby and asked: “How many light bulbs do you think are in this hotel?” I hesitantly answered; “a million?” He never did reply to my answer, but did say that five salesmen bid on the contract to sell those countless lights, with one earning the business and the others walking away empty handed. He then asked how many square feet of carpet were in the forty-seven story building. I told him I had no idea, to which he replied; “five companies bid on that sale and one got it, and the others moved on.” Finally, he asked me to speculate on the amount of furniture contained in the fourteen hundred and fifteen rooms. After my third uncertain response, he once again repeated that five salespeople bid on the job and only one was victorious.
“I know you don’t know anything about education, reading, or selling books… I guess a bigger question is, do you know how to win?"
I was not sure how much deeper we would dive into the makeup of this historic building until he concluded this unexpected lesson by saying; “I know you don’t know anything about education, reading, or selling books… I guess a bigger question is, do you know how to win? Because in each situation I mentioned, someone had won and four people had lost.” When I confidently assured him that I definitely knew how to win, he replied; “then come to work with me and get out there and win!”
A week later, I joined the team at Barnell Loft Publications and was privileged to serve students and school districts throughout the Western Region for over fifteen years. Although my sales experience was non-existent and my knowledge of education was limited, I achieved great success and recognition as the number one salesman in the country countless times simply applying the lessons I had learned through my lifelong participation in athletics.
A week later, I joined the team at Barnell Loft Publications and was privileged to serve students and school districts throughout the Western Region for over fifteen years. Although my sales experience was non-existent and my knowledge of education was limited, I achieved great success and recognition as the number one salesman in the country countless times simply applying the lessons I had learned through my lifelong participation in athletics.
Those simple lessons began with listening to my coaches and appreciating that every encouragement and every correction was offered because they genuinely cared.
Those simple lessons began with listening to my coaches and appreciating that every encouragement and every correction was offered because they genuinely cared. They shared in my commitment and partnered to guide me in my journey toward becoming the best I could possibly be. My amazing mentors prodded me to accept challenges, to have the courage to reach beyond my comfort zone, and to find joy in being comfortable being uncomfortable.”
This simple formula began with setting realistic goals and reinforcing them with an unwavering commitment to outwork the competition. The classroom of sport taught me that “life is a game of repetitions” with each solitary shot and each bounce of the ball taking me another step forward in the process of developing habits of excellence that would inevitably lead to success.
As Mr. Boning had strategically illustrated in his question filled interview, winning is the same in any endeavor. It is the result of commitment, discipline, sacrifice, and a burning desire to work harder than anyone in the room! You just have to lace up your shoes, grab your ball, and get out there and do it!
This simple formula began with setting realistic goals and reinforcing them with an unwavering commitment to outwork the competition. The classroom of sport taught me that “life is a game of repetitions” with each solitary shot and each bounce of the ball taking me another step forward in the process of developing habits of excellence that would inevitably lead to success.
As Mr. Boning had strategically illustrated in his question filled interview, winning is the same in any endeavor. It is the result of commitment, discipline, sacrifice, and a burning desire to work harder than anyone in the room! You just have to lace up your shoes, grab your ball, and get out there and do it!
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