Page 209 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Make Greatness Attainable by All
against Oregon State, when I went up high for a basket and 191
my legs got cut out from under me. I hit the floor and was
knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I saw Coach stand-
ing there absolutely livid and demanding that the referee
throw out the Oregon State player for the cheap shot.
And he wouldn’t tolerate cheap shots by us either—no
dirty play. If one of his players threw an elbow in anger, he’d
pull you and put you on the bench. Then, when it was con-
venient, he’d let you have it real good.
He was more upset that we’d lost our temper than anything
else. He absolutely wanted emotions to be controlled. If you
lost it out there, he’d make you pay a price. He knew that
when you lost it—when emotions took over—your perfor-
mance suffered, your potential was locked inside. He wanted
that potential out where it could help the team.