Spring has officially arrived and not too soon for a beleaguered Midwest and Northeast. While my wife and I enjoyed a much milder winter in Bluffton, South Carolina, even we had some below-average temps in January including a couple inches of snow, a rarity here in the Lowcountry. That’s why on March 20, we joyously celebrated the return of spring.
Yes, spring is in the air (and so is the pine pollen!). It reminded me of the saying that “Hope springs eternal.” While it is a mantra that we should take to heart all year long, it is especially appropriate in this spring season of renewal. The phrase itself comes from Alexander Pope’s 18th-century poem “An Essay on Man.”
According to the US Dictionary, “Hope springs eternal” indicates that people maintain optimism and keep hoping, even when things seem challenging. Spring symbolizes new beginnings, renewal and growth, representing a time when nature awakens after winter and life reemerges. It is often associated with hope, transformation and the promise of fresh starts.
I recently attended a couple events to hear former MLB Pitcher Jose Alavarez speak to a Christian Men’s Group in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and legendary Penn State lacrosse and field hockey player and coach Char Morett-Curtiss speak to the Penn State Alumni Lowcountry Chapter. Both were, as expected, phenomenal, and so inspirational. I was also in a nostalgic mood after hearing of the recent passings of Hall of Fame college football coach Lou Holtz and legendary Hollywood tough guy Chuck Norris.
So, it got me thinking about some of the best motivational sayings that I’ve either heard or received from former teammates and coaches to share with you all as you “spring” forward.
Here is a sample of some of my favorites and responses from coaches:
Lou Holtz , Hall of Fame football coach: “Do what’s right, do the best you can, and show people you care.”
My personal favorite Lou Holtz quote: “Don’t tell your problems to people. 80% don’t care, and the other 20% are glad you have them.”
I actually met Coach Holtz in 2008 in New York City at his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. I also had the privilege to meet one of his best friends that night, world renowned motivational speaker and best-selling business book author Harvey Mackay.
From Harvey Mackay: “Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it.”
Also from Harvey Mackay: “Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”
While I never had the honor of meeting martial arts champion and actor Chuck Norris, I have seen every one of his action hero movies. Two of his quotes that have stood out to me:
From Chuck Norris: “If you want to accomplish anything in life, you can’t just sit back and hope it will happen. You’ve got to make it happen. You are not what has happened to you. You are what you choose to become.”
Also from Chuck Norris: “There are few problems in this world that cannot be solved by a swift roundhouse kick to the face. In fact, there are none.”
From former PSU and NFL Quarterback Trace McSorley: “Greatness is earned, not given” – Eddie Mason, coach and mentor
From Former Penn State Lady Lions basketball star and coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl: “It’s simple, the best TEAM always wins.” – NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell
And: “If you are a true team, you will win regardless of the scoreboard really. The journey with a great team is really fulfilling.”
From former William and Mary head coach and Penn State assistant basketball coach Chuck Swenson: “Spring is the promise that life can begin again, and even the smallest seed can become something extraordinary.” – English Poet Alexander Pope
From State College youth baseball and basketball coach Jeff Shoemaker: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” — Babe Ruth
From former Penn State Hockey assistant coach and current St. Anselm’s head coach Larry Rocha: THE MAMBA MENTALITY – “It’s a constant quest to try to be better today than you were yesterday and better tomorrow than you were the day before.” – NBA superstar Kobe Bryant
North Central High School (Kershaw, N.C.) head football coach Daniel Sisk: “Spring is about planting the seeds — discipline, team work, and resilience. Growth takes time — trust the process.”
Brian Lewis, head coach of USC-Beaufort baseball team: “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do whatever others can’t.” – Jerry Rice. And a Japanese proverb: “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
From Romanian gymnast Nadia Comănec, the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect 10.0 at the Olympic Games: “Do not pray for an easy life. Pray to be a strong person.”
From former Penn State hockey coach Jon Shellington: “This team is an annual championship contender — we don’t lose! So, play like a champion every shift.” —1974 SUNY Canton team captain Gerry Connell.
Let’s get back to those two guest speakers I mentioned earlier.
I actually had the honor of introducing my long-time friend, legendary Penn State and Olympic field hockey player and Nittany Lion coach Char Morett-Curtiss at the PSAA Lowcountry chapter event. She and I started coaching at PSU the same month back in 1987. Her athletes’ successes on the field and in the classroom are among the very best ever in Penn State history. Even though she retired in 2023 she is still impacting student-athletes through the Teammates for Life Initiative.
Char Morrett Curtiss: “My job was to be a teacher as much as a coach and to empower my athletes by improving their confidence. I told them, and their parents, I can’t guarantee you playing time or if I will increase your scholarship. But I can guarantee that I will care about you and get you and all the players to care about each other.”
Former Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley told me, “Char is not only a HOF coach, but she is also the epitome of what it means to be a true Penn Stater. She had an exceptional career as a student-athlete at Penn State and was a leader in the growth of women’s sports throughout her career.”
If you want to learn more about Coach Morett-Curtiss and Teammates for Life, listen to her interview on The People of Penn State podcast.
I also had the opportunity to hear former Major League Baseball player Jose Alveraz speak to the Providence Church Men’s Group on Hilton Head Island. Jose spent 16 years in professional baseball from the late 1970s to early ‘90s, including five in the majors. He went on to coach youth and high school baseball and served as a life coach and mentor to the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour players, wives and caddies with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Ministry. He now serves with Links Players International.
Quotes from Jose Alveraz:
“I was a middle reliever, which meant I wasn’t good enough to start or finish.”
“My wife and I never had an argument in 45 years of marriage. We had family growth discussions.”
“You want to become a multimillionaire? Buy a pro athlete’s contract for what they’re being paid and sell it for what they think they’re worth!”
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
