UNC Greensboro Athletics: Spartan Summer Reading Strengthens Bonds On And Off The Court

Greensboro NC

16 August, 2021

9:57 AM

Description

Press release from UNC Greensboro Athletics: 8/14/2021 1:44:00 PM Story Links GREENSBORO, N.C. – For the UNC Greensboro women's basketball team, the summer break was more than time off. It was a chance for the team to reconnect and strengthen their relationships with returning players and build one with the newcomers. With a new season on the horizon, sixth-year head coach Trina Patterson thought of a way to help grow the team over the summer. The idea was to have the team read Row the Boat by Jon Gordon and P.J. Fleck. "The summer experience was a success." said Patterson. "We accomplished growth on the basketball court with player development, we saw considerable success in strength, conditioning and academics. Reading "Row the Boat" allowed for our staff and players to apply principles in the book such as dealing with the past, present and the future to our program's core values which are gratitude, integrity, servitude, unity, and humility." Aja Boyd, who returns as a graduate student after missing last season due to injury, thought the book was important to read, especially for the newcomers. "The book was an important read because I believe it introduced the true meaning of culture to our newcomers and a reiteration to our returners," Boyd said. "This team stands on five important core values: Gratitude, Integrity, Servitude, Unity, Humility. Jon Gordon and P.J. Fleck individually highlight each of those values through the book. I believe covering these topics not only helps our program but also helps us as women in and outside of our communities. By building and growing as individuals, it will definitely translate to the court and connect more as a team." With a book dedicated to the philosophy of never giving up, the players and staff had plenty of quotes that stood out to them that they will carry with them this season and throughout life. "The most meaningful quote to me was when P.J. said, 'One door closed and another opened'', said junior Excellanxt Greer. "I believe this quote is what will carry this team far this season. This quote can be interpreted with many situations. On the court, if one thing isn't on, like your shot, you can get assists or rebounds. If you have an injury and can't play, you can learn to raise your voice and communicate with everyone. "Also, in life, if you don't get the internship or job it may open up another opportunity. As a Christian, I do believe what is for you will come to you in God's perfect timing, so when one door or opportunity doesn't have the outcome you want, it's best to not get too down but look forward and make sure to maximize that next opportunity." The 2021-22 season is a clean slate for the UNCG women's basketball team. They look to return to the top of the Southern Conference and add another trophy to UNCG's case. Whenever the Spartans hit some adversity, they can rely on this passage from the book. "There's good things and hard things to get through. There's no bad things. Only opportunistic situations." Print Friendly Version This press release was produced by UNC Greensboro Athletics. The views expressed here are the author's own.