Remember the opening of ABC’s Wide World of Sports? Jim McKay’s iconic voice saying, “The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat”. I can hear it now, and see the ski jumper crashing.
It’s an exciting time of year. Tournament time for high schools, colleges, including March Madness on the horizon.
Many will experience defeat at some point. Competitors don’t, and shouldn’t, like to lose but what it can reward us with in the long run sometimes comes because of the defeat.
Remember March 16, 2018?
A #16 seed had never beaten a #1 seed in the NCAA Basketball Tournament until that day. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retrievers not only beat the overall #1 seed Virginia Cavaliers but beat them by 20 points.
In his post game press conference Virginia Coach Tony Bennett said “If you learn to use it right, the adversity, it will buy you a ticket to a place you couldn’t have gone any other way.”
Fast forward 388 days to April 8, 2019. The Cavs had squandered a 10 point lead in the final minutes and trailed Texas Tech by three.
Virginia forced overtime with 12 seconds in regulation and went on to win the NCAA championship in overtime. They used the ticket bought with adversity a season earlier.
To become all that you can be you will have to go through the darkness of defeat at times to get to the joy of victory.
We enjoy the joys of victory but it is the tough times, the dark times, that make us stronger, better, who we really can be, and the opportunity to be better.
Meet Todd Gordon, a seasoned educator, coach, and activities administrator who dedicated an impressive 37 years to shaping the lives of students within the realm of education. His career has taken him on a remarkable journey through nine different school districts, ranging from the intimate setting of a small school to the dynamic landscape of a large, multi-high school urban district – truly everything in between.
In 2022, Todd embarked on a new chapter, retiring from his illustrious career in education. However, retirement did not signal an end to his passion for making a positive impact in the realm of sports and activities. Todd joined BOUND, a leading sports software company, where he continues to contribute his wealth of experience and knowledge to support activity administrators and coaches.
Beyond the professional arena, Todd’s personal life is a testament to dedication and enduring love. Married to his wife, Deb, for an impressive 40 years, they have navigated life’s journey together. Their family has grown to include three married children, each on their unique paths, and six delightful grandchildren who bring joy and laughter to their lives.
Todd authored and published his first book, “The Power of One. One Word Leadership”, in 2022.
His newest project is the “The Pursuit”, and it starts with new writings on a new page on this website. Todd delves into the essence of your daily pursuit of excellence, offering insights on growth, resilience, and the power of redemption. By weaving daily Scripture insights into our exploration, we bridge the timeless with the contemporary, inviting you to reflect on leadership principles grounded in spiritual wisdom.
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Made For This Moment 