BJ Dunne ’06: Words of Wisdom for Athletes (and Non-athletes!)
BJ Dunne ’06, the youngest head varsity basketball coach in the NCAA, was the invited speaker at Rivers’ Varsity Awards Evening in June. He recounted in detail the lows and highs of his first season at Vassar College, where the team went from being ranked 375th out of 418 Division 3 teams, to winning a spot in the Liberty Conference championship where they lost by one point in double overtime. His personal journey to that point in his career had its own highs and lows, and he left the audience with the following advice:
Over the course of my athletic career as a player and coach I have learned that good things don’t come to good people, they come to those that work. I have also learned five things that have kept me going through tough times and have gotten me to where I am today. I would like to share them with you.
The first is, believe. As a student-athlete there are going to be plenty of times in your life and career where there is doubt surrounding your ability or your team. But if you believe in yourself, your teammates, and your vision then nothing can stop you. Belief got me through all the hardships and allowed me to face adversity with clear eyes.
Secondly, you have to dare to be different. The moon has already been discovered. Rivers taught me how to be me, how to be unique. In a world that is dominated by social media it is hard to stand out when everyone wants you to act, dress, and be a certain way. It is hard to not listen to those voices but if you truly believe in your vision you will dare to be different and step outside your comfort zone.
Next, you must always remember where you’re from and how you got to this point. It’s all about the journey and not the destination, because your journey will teach you a lot about your destination. Find some time during the day, whether it’s before a game or before you go to sleep to think about your journey. I do this every night and every morning. I take five minutes and I let the pain of my broken arm, the pain of being cut as a senior wash over me. I remind myself of how I felt at my lowest points and how that has motivated me to become a successful coach. And make sure to never lose sight of Rivers, it is an important path in your journey.
Always dream and dream big. In my office I have a streamer from the 2013 Division 3 National Championship game - that represents my dream. I believe that the most dangerous people are the ones that dream in the daytime because they act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible. I am sure some of you dreamed of a Division 1 scholarship and achieved it. To you, congratulations. For others your dream was to put on a college uniform. Congratulations to you. Now what is your next dream? Are you dreaming with your eyes closed or open? Keep dreaming and don’t let anyone put a limit on your dreams because in the end they are yours and only yours.
Lastly, control what you can control. Don’t waste your time and energy on something you have no say or control over. Focus all of your time and energy on the things you can control, like your attitude, your work ethic, your preparation, your friends, your belief, your dreams. I believe that mental toughness is all about your ability to control what you can control.
I hope these five things help and resonate with you as much as they have with me. Best of luck to all of you and I hope you discover your story and I hope you make sure it gets heard. For some of you your athletic careers are just beginning, for some they are ending, and for others you are taking your talents to the next level. Take advantage of everything and everyone that Rivers has to offer. Take part of Rivers with you and leave part of you behind. And always remember that passion, energy, and enthusiasm are highly contagious, so don’t be afraid to share them on your path to greatness.
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