🧠 From Scottie…

Monday morning I went on a bike ride in my neighborhood. I approached a red light and I’m waiting to cross the street when I hear someone say, “Hey! Nice wheels!”. I soft smile, and say “Thanks you too!” as I quickly and regretfully realize it was a man in a wheel chair telling me this.

😅 

Any who, I kept riding my bike. Because I wanted my morning smoothie. I’m not sure where the guy in the wheelchair went, but I’m sure he thinks I’m an asshole.

Speaking of wheelchairs, we’re going to talk about Phil Knight and Shoe Dog today. When Phil started Nike, one of his founding employees was former University of Oregon athlete, Bob Woodell. Unexpectedly and abruptly in college, he suffered a tragic injury that made him paralyzed and tied to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

That’s the reason I brought up my own wheelchair story.

💰️ How The Founder of Nike, Phil Knight, and His Book, Shoe Dog, Relate to The Growth of Women’s Basketball

If you’re not familiar with Phil Knight, I’ll give you a little background on him. Phil is the Founder of Nike and writes about the creation and journey of his company beginning in 1962. He shares the challenges, triumphs and sacrifices along the way, which offer valuable lessons for not just entrepreneurs, but anyone who seeks to persevere and achieve their goals. After reading the book, I noticed correlations between Phil’s entrepreneurial journey and women’s college basketball that I wanted to share.

What a coach could learn

• A quote by Phil in the book says, “Each new date brought 50 tough decisions that needed to be made, right now, and we were always acutely aware that one rash move, one wrong decision could be the end. The margin for error was forever getting narrower, while the stakes were forever, creeping higher…” From 1962-1980, Phil and his team of misfits were creating what we would know more prominently today, Nike. But each day the company grew and became more successful, as the quote says, even more problems would arise with the room for error getting smaller and smaller.

• Much like the world of women's college basketball, where coaches face the ever-increasing weight of expectations, this quote serves as a reminder of the daily challenges that arise. As your coaching career progresses, especially when transitioning to a new team with a reputation for success or failure, the stakes heighten with each passing day and game.

• Just as Phil encountered a barrage of decisions, you too will face an onslaught of issues that demand immediate attention and resolution. With each victory, the spotlight intensifies, and so do the accompanying problems. The room for error narrows, leaving little margin to stumble. However, it is precisely in these high-pressure situations that true leaders emerge. The ability to make calculated decisions, to navigate the tough choices with clarity and composure, becomes paramount. Coaches, take solace in Phil Knight's journey.

• While each decision may seem daunting, remember that his team of "misfits" persevered and ultimately triumphed. They embraced the challenges, rising above the noise and doubt. The same holds true for you. Embrace the difficulties, knowing that each problem presents an opportunity for growth and success.

• If you’re a coach, there are a lot of good nuggets for you in Shoe Dog. The way Phil had to assemble his team for Nike, the way he went through hundreds of variations of shoes under different names, parallels to how a coach builds a team. If you end up reading the book or have read the book, let us know what you think.

What a player could learn

• Phil Knight was a distance runner at Oregon University. His coach was Bill Bowerman, one of the most well-known and successful track coaches, and Phil’s first business partner for Nike. What stuck out to me the most was Phil’s (and other collegiate and professional athlete’s) relationship with Bowerman. When he first got the idea to start a shoe company, the first person he reached out to to get feedback on his first version, was his former coach, Bowerman. Phil sought Bowerman's insights, ideas, and even design requests, recognizing his remarkable skill set. Eventually, their collaboration led to the birth of Nike, with Phil and Bowerman joining forces in a 51/49 partnership.

• The relationship between Phil and Bowerman is really interesting to me. For players: your relationship between a coach and a player can be transformative. While the head coach may play a crucial role, never underestimate the value of your connections with other members of the coaching staff. The assistant head coach, the director of player development, or even the recruiting coordinator—all these individuals can contribute to your growth and success. Just as Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman forged an extraordinary alliance, so too can you find inspiration and guidance from those who surround you.

• In the realm of women's college basketball, coaches and staff members become more than just mentors. They become your champions, confidants, and trusted allies. They provide not only tactical guidance on the court but also invaluable life lessons that shape your character and mold your future. Their support extends beyond the game, nurturing your personal growth and helping you navigate the complexities of life beyond college. So, embrace the camaraderie with your teammates and everything that comes with a college experience. And while you’re at it, you should check out Shoe Dog too.

You can buy the book here

👂️ This Week’s Locker Room Drama

What’s been going on in the world of women’s college basketball recently? We’ve got you covered.

• Minnesota’s Threads account (Instagram’s Twitter competitor) is currently ranked #1 in content. Let’s see if it translates into the season

• Top recruits for 2027 and 2028

• Chloe Pavlech, former social media guru at Overtime, influencer, and Baylor coach, opens up on Threads about her treatment at Overtime

👇️ Video of The Week

Have you seen the TikToker wo plays the game “Is she gay or does she just coach/play women’s basketball?” It’s funny. Check out Cheryl Reeve’s video below

@jcubedhax

Replying to @anna_keep_scrolling a legend #wlw #lesbian #gay #basketball #isshegay

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