Championship mindset: Drawing inspiration from Kentucky Baseball Coach Nick Mingione

While #NationalBourbonDay isn’t until Friday, the spirits in Kentucky are already high this week. Why? The University of Kentucky Baseball team, under the leadership of Nick Mingione, has secured a spot in the College World Series for the first time in the program’s history.?

More than 7,400 fans poured into Kentucky Proud Park both Saturday and Sunday, setting an attendance record twice in the same weekend. I was fortunate enough to be there on Saturday, and the energy, positivity and fun was incredible. This surge in enthusiasm for UK baseball is a testament to the transformative impact of Coach Mingione, who has created an atmosphere where the love of the game plays a starring role in the team’s success. These players have talent and grit in spades, but their connection to each other is the foundation.?

I was very surprised to hear the traditional Irish music song “Rattlin’ Bog”, a song that one would rarely, if ever, hear outside of rural Ireland. I might have been one of the only people who knows all the words to the song, but I was certainly not the only one enjoying it … several Kentucky players were standing on top of the dugout dancing and singing along. I’m not sure how they discovered it, but apparently the team has been enjoying this fun song all season, and the fans love it. This kind of joyful interaction truly sets the team apart.?

Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) — which, for non-Americans, is akin to the English Premier League for college sports in terms of the level of competition — is no easy feat. Six of the past 10 champions have come from this powerhouse conference, and only one of the past 10 championship games did not feature an SEC team.?

In 2016, many were surprised when Nick Mingione was picked to lead the team — he had never been a head coach at any level. Unlike the university’s popular basketball and football teams, UK’s baseball program had never received a great deal of attention or support. But with Mingione on board, it became clear that something was brewing in Lexington that required trust and patience.??

Under his leadership, Kentucky baseball has experienced unprecedented success — and newfound popularity. The Wildcats have made three NCAA tournaments in the past seven years, winning their regional in each instance. In 2017, Mingione guided Kentucky to its first-ever super regional appearance, and the program has never looked back.?

This season has been truly remarkable. Kentucky sports a 44-14 record and is ranked No. 2 in the nation — and now the Wildcats have advanced to the College World Series for the first time ever. This achievement is a testament to Mingione's passion, tactical mind and tireless recruiting efforts that have transformed Kentucky baseball.??

While we wait for the Cats to take the field this weekend in Omaha, Nebraska, let’s continue to draw inspiration from Coach Mingione’s leadership:??

• Lead by example: Get in the game. By demonstrating our commitment, we inspire others to do the same.?

• Empower your team: Coach Mingione empowered his assistant coach to lead from the dugout. Similarly, we should trust our team members to take charge, fostering a culture of accountability and empowerment.?

• Invest in team development: Provide learning opportunities to unlock our team’s full potential.?

• Create a positive and inclusive culture: Create an environment where every team member feels valued and motivated to succeed.?

• Celebrate achievements and milestones: Recognizing each other’s contributions fosters morale and a sense of pride in our collective accomplishments — and leads to continued success.?

• Embrace challenges: Baseball, like business, is often full of uncertainties. We must embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation, remaining agile in the face of change.?

• Stay focused: Coach Mingione’s commitment to his team has propelled Kentucky baseball to new heights. Similarly, let’s stay focused on our vision for the future and the goals we’ve set as a team.?

Go Cats!