Northern Kentucky University athletics was the topic at the Sept. 30 Florence Rotary Club meeting.
NKU men’s basketball coach Dave Bezole and NKU Athletics Director Ken Bothof were the guests.
Bezold spoke on developing the complete athlete. He outlined three key components:
First: be supportive in developing a balanced athlete. This entails offering opportunities for personal development outside the standard expectation. This means assisting athletes with life issues while creating a balance to family and recreational activities.
Bezold said this was very challenging for coaches. However, he said, “We need balance.” The goal should be equipping athletes to flourish in the “real” world – a world after their last senior game.
Secondly: incorporate stewardship into their lives, achieved by exposing them to areas of service. The basketball program strives to have a complete understanding that NKU is functioning for the greater good in society and serving others. He told of the impact that his athletes were having in Newport Intermediate.
Thirdly: through conceptualization, point the team towards success in the long run. And that may mean a trade off between what’s important today versus tomorrow, and making choices to benefit the future.
Bothof found great report with the Rotarians when saying he applauds the club’s “service above self” motto. He said he is excited that NKU President Geoffrey Mearns, and the entire campus community, understands the important role intercollegiate athletics can play in the life of a university.
Bothof’s focus, during these first six weeks, has been working on a strategic plan to guide NKU toward full-fledged Division I athletics. He said servant leadership is essential. This entails, firstly, that the servant leader asks the question: How can I best serve our university, coaches and student-athletes?
For Bothof the answer has been in providing staff, coaches and student-athletes with the resources and leadership necessary to be successful in competition, the classroom, and life.
Secondly, the servant leader must do three things well:
1. Define your mission and values (what are the rules governing behavior).
2. Set your standards (how will you define and measure excellence).
3. Determine accountability (discuss gaps between standards and performance) – understanding that this is really not negotiable.
Finally, and most importantly, is the “buy in.” As Bothof put it, “the ability to influence people to willingly and enthusiastically help you achieve a common goal.”
