Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt pioneered women’s college basketball and guided the Tennessee Volunteers to eight national titles in her 38 seasons at the university. She led the Lady Vols to 1,098 victories—the most in Division I college basketball history (men or women). Summitt was a college women’s basketball coach for four different decades. She was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 and was named the Naismith Coach of the Century in the same year.

Coach Summit was committed to excellence in every aspect of her program. Here are three of her leadership lessons on excellence:

1. 1. “Success is a project that’s always under construction.”
   2. “Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.”
   3. “You can’t always be the most talented person in the room. But you can be the most competitive.”

Coach Summit refused to lower the bar or rim when it came to excellence. It never mattered how hard it got; she was known for her competitive spirit.

1 Thessalonians 2 – Commit to Excellence

The Apostle Paul never coached a basketball game but was equally committed to excellence in chapter 2. He was bold (v. 2) and didn’t back down when he faced conflict. He was motivated to please God rather than men and seek His glory (v. 4).

His goal was much greater than winning basketball games. It was to become more like Christ. Throughout his life, he demonstrated love and commitment toward advancing the gospel wherever the Lord could use his influence.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete are motivated to please God rather than men. They know their strength and motivation come from Christ. Rather than seeking flattery and being manipulated by others, they are committed to the goal of Christlikeness.

Bible Memory Verse – For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (LSB)