PROGRAMMED TO WIN
BRONCOS — FAMILY — PRIDE
This is the fourth installment in a series of 5 photo essays that explores a 5-year span of Montini Catholic High School Football. Below are links to the entire series:
Part I — RIVALS
Part II — WOODSTOCK
Part III — ORANGE SKY
Part IV — PROGRAMMED TO WIN
Part V — NOVEMBER REIGN
PROGRAMMED TO WIN
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don’t do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.” — Vince Lombardi
Some say winning is a habit. For Montini Catholic winning has become quite the habit over the past 6 years. This Saturday, November 22, 2014, at 1PM in Lombard, Montini will play in their 6th straight IHSA 5A semifinal playoff game. This time they will square off with Geneseo.
This photo essay is a hat-tip to the Coaches, Parents & Fans of Montini Catholic. It is their dedication, accountability, passion and support that act as a compass; a compass that points the young men of Montini Catholic football consistently in the direction of success.
The ever elusive secret to success. We want it, we need it, we buy books that promise to show us the magic formula, we pay obscence prices for the magic pill, that one thing that will do the trick, it’s easy, it’s simple…or so we are promised.
Why do we fall for it? It’s such a sham.
It’s not one thing, it’s never been just one thing. It’s not easy. Success takes a combination of things. Success is about harmony. In the football sense it takes coaches, players, families and fans pulling on the same end of the rope.
Ah, but what about talent? you may ask. Simply put, talent alone is not enough. Talent is necessary. But, we all know plenty of talented individuals that fade without reaching their potential.
How about hard work? One prominate author offered up a 10,000 hour rule. The idea of just putting in work is a nice way to motivate people, but life is not fair and you could work your whole life for something and never get your opportunity because of circumstance.
Now, that doesn’t discount the neccesity of hard work, grit and the determination to pound out those 10,000 hours. But I think there’s more to it than that and as the author asks…
Q: How do we build institutions that provide opportunities to work hard?
A: Sports are an institution that provides an opportunity to work hard. Here is a place where lessons are learned about grit, about talent, about opportunity and about courage.
Hard work begets preparation. Hustle and attitude beget opportunity.
When hard work, hustle and attitude collide you must have the courage to trust your ability to seize that moment as it hangs in the balance.
Success is rarely achieved overnight. Chris Andriano has been at it for 41 years as a high school football coach. There were lean years. There were successful years. They reached as far as the IHSA Semifinals 3 times from ‘82–’99. But in 1993 the Broncos made the playoffs. It is now 2014 and the Broncos have maintained a 22-year playoff berth streak.
So, in my opinion, Montini Catholic’s run of success boils down to 3 things: Broncos, Family, Pride…or put another way: The Coaches, The Parents, and The Fans.
BRONCOS
Carpe Diem — The Coaches
Seize the Day!
In 1995 I was a freshman at Montini Catholic, it was my first day of football practice…ever. I can recall freshman head coach John Cox’s message to the freshman…
CARPE DIEM, men! CARPE DIEM!
Its funny because we all sorta brushed off this jacked muscle-man speaking latin. But when you are 14 that’s what you do, you brush-off adult speak. I couldn’t tell you how long coach Cox had been belting out CARPE DIEMs to zit-faced freshman, but he was quick to instill in all of us new football players a sense of urgency, and a sense of pride. Letting us know, despite our terrible complexion and crackling voices, what was expected of us and what it meant to play ball for Montini Catholic and head coach Chris Andriano.
Some of us saw it as a challenge.
Some of us accepted that challenge.
And some of us remember that message nearly 20 years later.
Coaches are the heralds of tempo, the keepers of tradition, historians and mentors. They are a young man’s guide to athletic success. They evaluate and hone talent. They build repetitions into muscle memory. They watch film, notice tendencies and build a game plan. But all of that is in preparation for just one simple thing:
“If you get a shot at victory…make DAMN SURE you take it.”
And that has been the hallmark of what it means to be a Bronco. It’s a consistent trend throughout the years — going for the win. If you call yourself a competitor, I dont think you would want it any other way.
FAMILY
It Takes a Village — Mothers & Fathers
Real success requires more than what happens on the field. Maybe, just maybe talent alone can win a game here or there. Sure, some good coaches and top talent can hit a stride and could potentially win a championship in any given year. But it ‘takes a village’ for sustained success.
Everybody, all the time!
Family is the backbone of a successful football program. This is one concept that Montini Catholic has figured out.
Football is quite the communal sport. And I think that this is the reason we love it so. With 75-90 players on a playoff football team, thats roughly 70-85 mothers and 70-85 fathers, 105-120 siblings, you’ve got offensive coaches and their families and defensive coaches and their families, 15 cheerleaders with their parents, 12 Broncettes with their parents, alumni, etc, etc, etc. That’s a lot of people interested in what goes on inbetween those white lines on Fridays and Saturdays.
Fathers & Sons
Mama’s Boys
PRIDE
Maroon, Gold & White — The Fans
COME LET US CHEER FOR YOU MONTINI
WITH YOUR COLORS MAROON & GOLD
AND WE’LL CHEER JUST FOR YOUR HONOR
FOR YOU’RE EVER STAUCH & BOLD
AND WE’LL LEAD YOU ON TO VICTORY
AND WE’LL FIGHT UNTIL WE’RE THROUGH
SO, HERE’S TO YOU MONTINI HIGH SCHOOL
WE’RE ALL FOR YOU…
RAH! RAH! RAH!
prints are available, upon request, by way of my website:
