Players Are Supposed

PLAYERS ARE SUPPOSED to respect their coaches. And oftentimes, through hard work and extra effort, coaches develop respect for their athletes.

A special relationship between University of Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma and basketball player Nykesha Sales made for a unique start to a basketball game in 1998.

Sales, the 21-year-old senior forward, tore her Achilles tendon against Notre Dame just prior to the Huskies’ season finale against Villanova. At the time, Sales had scored 2,176 career points, one less than UConn’s record holder, Kerry Bascom-Poliquim.

The situation appeared hopeless. Sales, a deserving player, wouldn’t break the record. Then Coach Auriemma spoke with his friend, Harry Perretta, Villanova’s coach. Geno proposed letting Sales score an uncontested basket to open the game. The Huskies would then allow Villanova to score. In theory, the competition would begin 2–2 rather than 0–0.

Perretta agreed. Auriemma also approached both schools’ athletic directors, presidents, and the Big East commissioner. He requested approval from Bascom-Poliquim. Everyone gave the go-ahead.

The contest began with Connecticut’s Paige Sauer tipping the ball to guard Rita Williams, who handed it to Sales. Although hobbling, Nykesha dribbled toward the basket and banked a shot off the glass and through the net. The UConn players then stepped aside to allow Villanova’s basket as Sales left the court as the all-time scoring leader for Connecticut.

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POINT Nykesha Sales put her heart into UConn basketball. It seemed a shame that she wouldn’t hold the all-time scoring record. Her coach wanted to help her achieve that well-deserved goal. Auriemma examined the alternatives. His upright character dictated that he involve everyone in his plan. His integrity allowed nothing less.

And it worked. Sales got the record honestly, and the coach and the university maintained their integrity.

Integrity pleases God. True integrity involves more than simple honesty. It means upright character with sound judgment and no hint of wrongdoing.

In the Bible, David understood that he had not always acted honestly. But at the end of his life, the great king prayed the dedication prayer at his son Solomon’s coronation. In his words to God, King David acknowledged the importance of integrity.

GOAL! Have you watched or played for a coach with integrity? If so, what specific situations demonstrated the quality?