Real Life Can Sometimes Imitate

REAL LIFE CAN SOMETIMES IMITATE motion pictures, especially in the realm of sports. In the 2001 NCAA women’s basketball title game, Notre Dame’s Ruth Riley relived a scene from her favorite film.

Two Indiana institutions—Notre Dame and Purdue—squared off in the championship. The Fighting Irish started slowly and fell behind 19–7, but Notre Dame narrowed the gap to six at halftime.

The Fighting Irish continued to battle in the second half, and when Alicia Ratay nailed a three-pointer the score was tied 62–62 with 4:02 remaining. Not about to give up the lead, the Boilermakers regained a 66–64 edge with a little more than a minute to play.

Riley tied the contest 66–66 at the 1:01 mark. Then on defense the 6-foot-4-inch post rebounded Shereka Wright’s missed shot, enabling the Irish to set up a game-winning play.

With the clock winding down, Notre Dame fed the ball inside to Riley. Fouled by Wright, Riley went to the line for two shots. Recalling the scene from the movie Hoosiers where two free throws decided a state high school championship, Riley sank the first. Following a Boilermakers time-out, she canned the second as well.

Purdue’s Katie Douglas missed an 18-foot shot at the buzzer, giving the Irish a 68–66 triumph and its first national basketball title. Riley, named the tournament MVP, scored 28 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked 7 shots in the contest.

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POINT Ruth Riley followed the instruction of her coach during the championship game. But more than that, she remembered the example of the players and of Coach Norman Dale in the movie Hoosiers. She imitated their basketball skills and faith in their abilities. And Riley brought home victory.

The writer of Hebrews instructs us to remember Christian leaders who have taught us in the past. We must look at the outcome of their life and imitate their belief and faith. Then we will have victory in life.

GOAL! Think about leaders in your life. Perhaps they include a parent, a coach, a teacher, or a youth pastor. Consider their positive leadership qualities. Thank God for leaders worth imitating.