In the space of just over a month, we saw the sports world light-up like a fireworks display. Back in March when the slate of teams was announced for the men’s and women’s NCAA Championship, there was another marathon happening in the background. This was between the WNBA league and players’ Union.

The previous Collective Bargaining Agreement had expired at the end of last season and a new one needed to be in place for the next season. Many issues were being discussed but the sticking points were revenue sharing and housing. The good news is both sides signed a new CBA on the dotted line.

Then, sports media coverage jumped to the drafts in the WNBA and the NFL. On the basketball side, Azzi Fudd was the #1 pick, joining the Dallas wings and her former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers. The football side saw Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza secure the #1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders.

As they get more of the spotlight, Mendoza reflects on his underdog status as a player. He plans on staying in character and on skillset for what he’ll face in the pros. While Fudd enters at a time of the league’s new CBA with excitement and dollars to go with it. They’re focused on further realizing their:  

• Greatness:- Mendoza and his Hoosier teammates were undefeated in the season by winning the big game. That’s not easy to duplicate but is a reminder of what it takes to level-up in any field.
• Witness:- His faith is a big part of how he rolls. While he’s often seen as a witness for his belief system, his edge prob comes from his system of beliefs. A witness and fitness in life and game.
• Uniqueness:- Some might feel Fudd isn’t a high-flying star player in the UConn tradition. But clearly, she maximizes her uniqueness on the court in how she delivers as a high-impact player.
• Wholeness:- What they’ve come to know as athletes and individuals is that if their game has a ‘hole’ in it, it will take the ‘W’ of wisdom to fill it, and the ‘W’ of winning to build on it.       

The UConn women’s team was on track to have an undefeated season. They fell one game short of making it to the championship. Even though UCLA won it all, it was Fudd who landed the #1 spot in the draft. So, in life even if you lose sometimes, that doesn’t mean taking an ‘L’ makes you a loser.

For Medoza and Fudd, a new learning curve has begun. They’ll be working on making their greatness come through at the pro level. What they do to continue being a witness on and off their field of dreams will draw on their individual uniqueness and strengthen their wholeness as ambassadors of the game.

Talkback: Does it matter if some feel Fudd wasn’t a high-flying star player in the UConn tradition?

Tip: Don’t get hung up on what others say about you. What you say and do about you speaks for itself.

Tracks: Alicia Keys – Underdog – https://youtu.be/izyZLKIWGiA?si=FyyakKvi638ChXjo

Agent Sasco – Winner Right Now – https://youtu.be/yrNe0eqoEPg?si=pashp9oqeo3_-WiA