In the Spring of 1985, I was a sophomore at Georgetown Preparatory High School, when the school announced they would be fielding their first lacrosse team. At the time, many of us had never even heard of the sport, much less knew any of the rules. But some of us were intrigued by the novelty of the game and looking for something new and different. Why not?
Our head coach was Jamie Louzan, an alumnus from ten years earlier and a major advocate for the game. He was a laid-back and patient man, and he would need every bit of it to deal with the hooligans that signed up for the inaugural season. He tirelessly explained the fundamentals of the game. He dished out homework assignments to read books on the rules and strategy. And he met us at our own level, refusing to let us refer to him as “coach”.
“Just call me Jamie.”
But still, our grasp of the intricacies of lacrosse was tenuous at best. We lost nearly every game we played in the first season. And we certainly didn’t make many friends along the way. Described by one member of the administration as “Neanderthals with sticks”, we actually had multiple players foul out of more than one contest. The horror!
But in the second season, we found our groove. Jamie got the most out of us, and we not only followed the rules, but came to truly appreciate the sport. At the end of the season, we had a winning record and the school announced we would be moving to a Varsity schedule the following Spring. It was an exciting time for the players and coaches.
And that is what made Jamie’s announcement so perplexing. He called a meeting of returning players just before the end of the school year.
“I truly enjoyed coaching you guys. And you have so much potential for the future. But I will be stepping down as Head Coach effective immediately.”
Stunned silence. That was it.
Once the dust settled, a few of us approached Jamie and asked why he had made that decision.
“This can be a great Program. And I will always be rooting for you guys. But I am not the right guy to take it to the next level. I love the Program too much to see it fail.”
There was something beautifully simple about his answer. His humility put us all at peace. As a sixteen year-old kid, I couldn’t grasp it but, in hindsight, I now understand. Jamie demonstrated the art of loving something more than himself.
And couldn’t we all benefit from that example in our work and personal lives?
It’s Not Always About Us
In a world that encourages us to shine the spotlight on ourselves, it’s okay to step back and ask tough questions. Do we seek leadership positions because it strokes our ego or because we believe we can make a difference? Do we fixate on making money at any cost or on the long-term health of the business? Do we focus more on our personal legacy than on the legacy of the company, team, or organization? Ambition and hard work will propel us toward our lofty goals. And we should aim as high as possible. But we have to keep everything in perspective. Sometimes we have to recognize our own limitations and do what is right for the team. In order to reach true greatness, sometimes we have to swallow our ego and love something more than ourselves.
And this is even more important in our personal lives. We all have dreams, goals, and hobbies. We all seek personal fulfillment. But it’s not always about us. Focusing outward on the ones we love is even more satisfying. Sacrificing so that our children achieve THEIR dreams. Helping our parents achieve peace in their declining years. Supporting our spouse in his or her moment of crisis. Listening to a friend who needs a sympathetic ear. Clearing the path so others can grow.
What does this have to do with resilience? Eventually, we will hit a major hurdle. Eventually, the tide will turn against us. If we have spent our whole lives focused internally, we won’t be able to see beyond our own disappointment. We will have no one else to lean on to offer perspective in the moment. And recovery will be that much more difficult. But if we can see the bigger picture, if we can understand where we fit into the world, we can view these setbacks as temporary, and even necessary. We can shake off any challenge and stay resilient!
A Selfless Legacy
Since moving to a Varsity schedule in 1987, the Georgetown Prep lacrosse program has blossomed into one of the finest in the country. They have won multiple conference and state titles, and are currently ranked 4th in the nation. But you won’t find any reference to Jamie Louzan in the annals of Georgetown Prep lacrosse history. And I strongly suspect that is more than okay with Jamie. It was never about him. The lacrosse program has flourished. And he cared far more about the young men and the Program than himself. That type of selfless commitment will make this world a better place.
Thank you for your example, Coach Louzan!