DREAMS Speech...

D is for Discipline

R is for Respect

E is for Enthusiasm

A is for Attitude

M is for Motivation

S is for Sacrifice

It’s funny… I still remember this speech 20 years after first giving it. I guess I never realized that what I said to elementary, junior high, and high school kids would apply directly to me and my career many years later. Crazy!

So before I get ahead of myself, let me backtrack this story. My first job out of college was with Rockford Lightning in the Continental Basketball Association (otherwise known as the CBA). At the time I worked there, it was the Official Developmental League of the NBA. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. The owner of the league was Isiah Thomas…Now I am referring to the HOF "Bad Boy" from the Pistons, not the current NBA player, Isaiah Thomas. 

Growing up a HUGE Boston Celtics fan, I did not know how I felt about Isaiah Thomas being my boss. I remember the first time that I met him, I went in with all of this negativity in my head. This was the guy that helped beat MY TEAM growing up. My negativity toward him changed the very first time that I met him though. You see, he was a Chicago kid and a big Cub fan. When he learned that my last name was Holtzman, he got this huge smile on his face and asked if Ken was my dad or uncle. He went on to tell me about him being a big Cubby fan and that he thought my uncle was a heck of a pitcher. So, that along with Isiah paying for my grad school meant…that I liked the guy! 

The Rockford Lightning tried to get out into the community as much as possible. This meant that anytime there was a need for an appearance, we would do it…especially if it was in the schools. Usually we would have a player or coach go out and bring the mascot. They would talk about basketball, staying in school, working hard, etc. One day, we had a big assembly that we committed to that no player or coach could attend. I got approached to fill in for the assembly because they knew that I played basketball and loved talking to people. Well, let’s just say that this one time fill in turned into EVERY TIME…and I loved it.  

For the speech, I had to connect with the kids. I needed to convey that basketball is like life, and in order to get better you had to practice (and practice a lot). I tried to apply everything from the basketball court to their life. With this, I helped develop a D.R.E.A.M.S. speech that I would give to all of the schools.

D is for Discipline

Every basketball player needs discipline. They need to practice, workout, eat right, etc. in order for them to get better and achieve more (like going to or staying in the NBA). This applies to students too. If they want to go to college, they can’t just snap their fingers. They need to have discipline when it comes to doing their homework, studying, etc. 

R is for Respect

Every basketball player needs to have a lot of respect. From their coaches, to their players, to players that have played before them, they need to respect the game. This applies to students with respecting their parents, grandparents, teachers, principles, etc. 

E is for Enthusiasm

Every basketball player needs enthusiasm. This helps not only the player, but everyone on the team. It helps push people every single day, especially in practice. This applies to students with having enthusiasm for school. They need to have a strong work ethic so that they can learn and get better.

A is for Attitude

Every basketball player needs a POSITIVE attitude. Let’s face it, bad attitudes act like a cancer on a team. This applies to students with having a good attitude whether it be at home, school, or after school work.

M is for Motivation 

Every basketball player needs to be motivated. It is hard to just get up and start practicing, especially with all of the outside distractions. This applies to students with having the motivation to do well in school, do their homework, clean their rooms, etc.

S is for Sacrifice

Every basketball player has sacrificed a lot to get where they are. They had to practice when their friends were out playing. They had to eat well while others where eating junk. This applies to students. The sacrifices that they make each day will help them get better grades, get into college, and help them succeed.

I literally still remember giving this speech! Crazy! It is funny, everything I said years ago has applied to me and my career! It is so weird how life works.  

DREAMS are more than what you do at night!