From the desk of Wally Dawkins, Athletic Director:

A couple of years ago, I was sitting on the beach in Destin, Florida when I received a call from the Athletic Director at a university here in Texas.

No, not THE University of Texas. Just a university that happens to be in The Lone Star State.

It seems my name had been mentioned as a possible candidate for their vacant Head Men’s Basketball Coaching position.  The call was to see if I had an interest in the position.

After a couple more phone conversations over the next few days, the AD had Laurie and me on a plane flying out to visit the school.

Over the course of the next couple of day’s interviews with the hiring committee, I was asked how long I thought it would be before the school could become a winner in Men’s Basketball.

My answer went something like this;

“If you’re looking for someone to do whatever it takes to win in the short term, then I am not your guy.”

“If”  I said, “you are wanting someone to come in here with the big picture in mind and build a solid program that will last ten years, then I may be someone you should consider”.

I did not get offered the position.  And it was a good thing that I didn’t (I will explain later).

I have never been a “quick fix” guy.  I pride myself in trying not to correct things by having a “knee-jerk” reaction to a problem or situation.  Whether as a coach, being the Athletic Director at Brook Hill, or just dealing with people in general, I think focusing on the big picture and responding with clarity is almost always the best policy.

As a basketball coach, I was willing to suffer minor setbacks early in the season if I thought it was part of the necessary process for my team to be playing their best basketball in February (i.e., playoff time).

As the Athletic Director at Brook Hill, I try to make decisions based on what is best for the school and what is best for our Athletic Department in the long run, even if sometimes in the interim it is not the most popular or easiest decision to make, policy to enforce, or program to implement.

As the parent of two grown children, I am aware of how the decisions we make for our kids when they are young will affect them when they grow into adults.  I understand how the priorities we reflect to our sons and daughters when they are “under our roof”, will more than likely become their priorities when they are older.  I know all too well that doing what, at the time is very difficult, will possibly pay priceless dividends for our children down the road.

As parents, we definitely need to be focused on “the big picture” and what that means for our children.

Many times the question and dilemma for parents is simply this: short term wins or long term success?  Sometimes both are possible.  Many times however, a choice or decision must be made.

I am sure for many parents, sending their child or children to Brook Hill is a very tough or possibly “expensive” decision.  It would definitely be cheaper to attend a public school.  It would probably be much more convenient to attend a school just down the street.  It would more than likely be easier academically to send a child to a school that rewards now with higher grades and a passing test score.

The question then becomes what do you want for your child or children in the long run?  What is your big picture?

How about this for the big picture:

If your child attends Brook Hill, they will be surrounded by teachers who truly care about the welfare of children, including the fact that they will be learning, growing, and thriving in the classroom.  If your child attends Brook Hill, they will be prepared for college, well-versed in the handling of a rigorous academic course load.  If your child attends Brook Hill and participates in Athletics, your son or daughter will be mentored by 20 full-time coaches who invest spiritually, academically, and athletically in developing the whole child.  If your child attends Brook Hill, they will not only recognize the commitment that you (the parent) are making, but how you are investing in their life because their future is so important.

The school down the street may be free, it may be more convenient and it may be easier.

As the parent of a Brook Hill student, you obviously have “the big picture” in mind for your child.

Remember the story I opened with?  Apparently the college wanted a quick-fix-win-at-all-cost-do-what’s-best-for-me-now solution with their next Head Men’s Basketball Coach.

And remember I told you it was best that I wasn’t offered the job?

Here’s why: as we boarded the plane to leave the town the university was located in, my wife leaned over next to me and said “If you want to take this job then go ahead, but you will do it without me.  I would never move to this place.”

Laurie has always been a “big picture person”.

And that’s another reason to be “ALL ORANGE…All The Time”!