Veritas Sports Academy

I have learned so much about leadership from the books and speeches of Pat Williams, author and senior vice-president of the NBA Orlando Magic. In his book, Coaching Your Kids To Be Leaders, he shares how he learned the seven keys of leadership through participating in athletics. Not only could I relate, but I could have written the same story. Just like Pat, it was sports that taught me the power of a dream, the importance of communication, and the value of people skills. Through sports, I learned the qualities of character which included work ethic, humility, integrity, duty, honor, boldness, the excellence of competency, and the attitude of servanthood. Athletics was my training ground for leadership, and I believe it remains as one of the last bastions of hope for developing future leaders in this great nation.

I believe that babies are born and that leaders are made. I also believe that leadership is not reserved for the few, but rather, that everyone has the propensity for leadership. At Veritas Sports Academy, there are seven key strategies that we will focus on for developing young leaders both on and off the field, and in and out of the classroom.

Teach the student-athlete that his talents and abilities are a cherished gift and blessing from God.
Teach the student-athlete to dream big dreams and to dare to envision the impossible.
Teach the student-athlete to develop a game plan for turning those big dreams into reality.
Teach the student-athlete to take action, embrace sacrifice, and work for their dreams.
Teach the student-athlete how to break down their big dreams into a series of smaller, achievable goals.
Teach the student-athlete the value of perseverance, and a “never, never quit” attitude.
Teach the student-athlete that with great leadership comes great responsibility.

My ultimate goal for these young leaders-in-training is to help them develop an uncompromising commitment to truth, to help them achieve their highest dreams, to produce positive change in their lives, and through these student-athletes, to make our world a better place.

My ultimate prayer is that when these young men leave Veritas Sports Academy, they will live a leadership lifestyle of love, faith, humility, and caring.