Anson Dorrance Core Values

One of my favorite coaches to read on is Anson Dorrance.  He is the Head coach of UNC Women Soccer.  His book "A Man Watching" is one of the best books I have ever read.

Head Coach Anson Dorrance is now in his 31st season as the Tar Heel head coach. His teams have an all-time record of 673-33-21 (.940). Under Dorrance, UNC has won 20 national championships, including 19 NCAA crowns and one AIAW title, 19 regular-season ACC titles and 19 ACC Tournament championships. During his tenure, Dorrance's teams are 132-7-4 in ACC regular-season games, 54-0-3 in ACC Tournament matches and 100-7-1 in NCAA Tournament games.

From The Carolina Creed:
"I will excel athletically by committing myself to performance excellence, team success, and continual improvement."

1. We dont whine.  The individual can handle any situation and nver complain about anything on or off the field.  (The True Joy in life is to be a force of fortune instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy." George Bernard Shaw)
2. The truly extraordinary  do something every day.  They have remarkable self discipline and everyday has a plan to get better. 
3. We want these 4 years of college to be rich, valuable, and deep.  This is that the focused individual is here for the right reason to get  an education.  Life is led with proper balance and an orientation towards intellectual growth and against the highest public standards and most noble universal ideals.  
4. We work hard.  The individual embodies the "indefatigable human spirit" and never stops pushing.  Relentless in training. (The difference between 1 person and another, between the weak and the powerful, the great and the insignificant, is energy- invisible determination...This quality will do anything that has to be done in the world, and no talents, no circumstances, no opportunities  will make you a great person without it." Thomas Buxton)
5. We don't freak out over rediculous issues or live in fragile states of emotional catharsis or create crises where none exist..  Be even keeled and unflappable.
6. We choose to be positive.  Nothing can depress or upset this powerful and positive life force.
7. We treat everyone with respect.  
8. We care about each other as teammates and as human beings.  Be non-judgemental, inclusive friend that never says a negative thing about anyone and embraces everyone because of their humanity, with no elitist speration.
9. When we dont play as much as we would like we are noble and still support the team and its mission.  This remarkably noble, self sacrificing, generous human being always places the team before themself.
10. We play for each other.
11. We are well led. This is the verbal leader on the field that is less concerned with popularity and more concerned about holding everyone to their highest standards and driving their teammates to their potential.
12. We want our lives to be never ending ascensions but for that to happen properly our fundamental attitude about life and our appreciation for it is critical.  This is that humble, gracious high achiever that is thankful for everything and has a contagious generosity and optimism.