Make the Ball Pay You Back

Four years ago, one of my players received an incredible opportunity—he was offered the chance to play basketball at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Chanse was a talented defender who always played hard, put his teammates first, and was willing to do whatever it took to help the team win.

After we announced the news on social media, a complete stranger—at least to both of us at the time—reached out with a request. He wanted to speak with Chanse and offer some advice. That man was Corbin Bates, a local businessman who, not long before, had been in Chanse’s shoes. He knew firsthand what kind of opportunity West Point represented and wanted to help Chanse fully appreciate it. Corbin shared a lot of wisdom that day, but one line has stuck with me ever since—and it’s something I believe every athlete should hear:

“No matter what,” he said, “make the ball pay you back. You’ve invested too much time, energy, and money into that ball—make it pay you back.”

This fall, Chanse will begin his senior year as a Cadet at West Point and a member of the Army basketball team. Recently, as we were catching up during his visit home, I asked him if he felt the ball had paid him back yet. He simply replied, “More than I can even understand.”

While there are few opportunities that can set you up for success the way graduating from one of the United States Military Academies can, I urge you to take a moment and evaluate how your sport has, or will, pay you back. It may not always look like a college scholarship or a professional career, but if you approach it with intention, it will pay you back in different ways. 

How Your Sport Can Pay You Back

Discipline and Training

• Work Ethic: The daily grind teaches you the importance of consistency and perseverance, qualities that transfer to every area of life.

• Time Management: Balancing practice, school, and personal life sharpens your ability to manage your time effectively—an invaluable skill in any future career.

• Focus and Resilience: Learning to stay focused under pressure and bounce back from setbacks builds mental toughness, something that will serve you well in all aspects of life.

The Value of Being a Good Teammate

• Collaboration Skills: Sports are a team effort, and playing on a team teaches you how to work with others, communicate, and build trust.

• Leadership: You learn not only how to follow but how to lead by example. Even if you're not the captain, your actions on and off the court speak volumes.

• Accountability: Being part of a team means you’re accountable not just for yourself but for your teammates as well. This sense of responsibility is something that will carry over into your professional and personal life.

The Meaningful Relationships Built Through Excellence

• Networking: The relationships you build with coaches, teammates, and others in the sports community can open doors for internships, jobs, and professional opportunities.

• Mentorship: Coaches and older teammates often become mentors who guide you, offer advice, and help shape your character.

• Lifelong Friendships: The bonds you form through shared goals, triumphs, and struggles often turn into lifelong friendships that offer personal support long after your playing days are over.

Building Confidence and Self-Belief

• Growth Mindset: Sports push you to constantly improve, which builds self-confidence and the belief that you can achieve anything if you're willing to work for it.

• Overcoming Doubts: Facing adversity in sports—whether it’s a tough game or an injury—teaches you how to overcome doubts and keep moving forward.

Character Development and Integrity

• Sportsmanship: Playing sports teaches respect for others, honesty, and humility—values that shape your character.

• Facing Failure: Not every game is a win, and not every season goes as planned. Learning to handle losses gracefully and keep a positive attitude is key to personal growth.

The Pursuit of Excellence

• Setting and Achieving Goals: The discipline of setting, working toward, and achieving goals in sports transfers to every area of life. The satisfaction of accomplishing a goal in sports builds confidence in your ability to achieve anything you set your mind to.

• Perseverance: Excellence requires perseverance through difficult times. The ability to keep pushing when things get tough is a trait that will benefit you in your personal and professional life.

  
  

The most important thing to realize is that sports are about much more than just competition; they shape who you are, teach you how to navigate life, and provide you with a set of skills and experiences that will benefit you in ways you might not fully appreciate until years down the road. Every practice, game, and lesson learned in sports is an investment that will pay off in countless ways, sometimes when you least expect it.