WISHING COACH JOHN CALIPARI WELL
Submitted by Pastor Frank on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 12:37.
This morning I watched the news conference at Kentucky where it was officially announced that John Calipari was the new head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky.
It was disappointing and painful news as I, along with the entire city of Memphis, hoped that next year would be our year for a NCAA championship. We were so close last year, and this year, though we lost, we counted it a reloading year. Calipari had an outstanding class of recruits coming to Memphis and we all knew that next year would be the year. But I heard Calipari say that it was his “dream” to coach at Kentucky. Though he had signed the contract and it settled the matter, once he said it was his dream, then I decided to grant him the right to pursue his dream without hindrance from me. Everyone has the right to pursue their dream. When people pursue their dreams, it does not always line up with the expectations of others. As a matter of fact, the hard part about pursuing dreams is that we often have to disappoint people that are important to us. A person that cannot disappoint others will never pursue their dreams.
I wish John Calipari well. I know that many are angry, hurt, and disappointed. I wanted to have some of those feelings, but I do believe that if your dream does not align with the dream of the University and the City of Memphis, a person should move on. As good of a coach as Calipari was, there are other coaches. There are people who will dream the dream of a NCAA championship with the University and City of Memphis. All is not lost. Let’s pick up the pieces, come together as a city and find our new coach who is willing to dream our dream.
Believe that God will give dreams, if you ask God. And by the way, what is your dream and are you pursuing it? Let me know about your dreams and what do you think?
Submitted by Pastor Frank on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 12:37.
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Farewell to you Coach John Calipari, were going to miss you, we will all cherish the good memories that you had shared with us. I was struck with this line “Believe that God will give dreams, if you ask God” yes we have our own dreams and we have to remember to put God in the center of every plan in you life. Follow his path and ask for HIS guidance for he never gets tire of guiding us, HE will always be there for us. Have a faith on HIM and always persevere in life that all it takes for us to achieve all our dreams.
I think Brother Joe Lowery said it best for me: "to heck with your carreer, what is your calling?"
I too am disappointed, but not by Coach Cal's decision to follow his dream. As I know well what it is like to pursue a dream, I applaud him for being true to himself and taking advantage of his "opportunity of a lifetime" in becoming the coach of UK Basketball. My disappointment however comes from the manner in which he departed. My opinion . . . a MAN acknowledges and understands his responsibility to ALL within his influence, and he takes particular care to avoid unnecessary pain for those whom he cares for. I suspect that most of us have heard stories told of some incident where persons responsible for others have walked away under some guise and "cover of darkness", never to return again. Now, of course, while Coach Cal did return and address the Memphis Tiger Fan public, his "clandestine" departure 1) under the cover of darkness 2) in the backseat of a vehicle with dark tinted windows which was 3) driven by his wife 4) to the Memphis International Airport while 5) a fake departure was staged at Wilson Air, leaves me with a distasteful sense of distrust for him as a MAN. Yes, Coach Cal, you should be allowed to pursue your dreams. And yes, we must all be willing and able to understand that this opportunity is a part of a bigger picture for you personally. But come on now . . . "MAN UP!" Another T-I-G-E-R-S fan 4 eva!
I am also disappointed about Calipari leaving. My disappointment is not in him or his dream, but the fairytale feeling of a balloon that inflates and floats up in the air. Now, it has just popped! When the Tigers are winning, Memphis is like that balloon which fills with air gathering all races, all backgrounds, and all socioeconomical levels. Memphis temporarily forgets our polarity, the povety, and lack of educational funds, We had something positive to read about Memphis on a national level. It felt good to be one team, one city, one brotherhood, and happy!! I agree that one man doesn't make the team..ie even OBAMA. We must do our part to do better and let God..."The Man" guide our lives and dreams. Finally, it is so sad, as a graduate of U of M and member of MBCC, We(blacks/whites) can come together under a banner ff sports, but rarely fellowship under the banner of God??? As for my dreams, I have fulfilled some of my short term dreams and I am working daily on my long term dreams. True Blue Fan
This is what happens when the City cares more about the Coach than the players. Don't get me started on that one. At this point, Go UNC
Well said, Pastor Frank! We cannot fault the coach for pursuing his personal dreams and goals. I think one problem with everyone's disappointment is that we were to focused on the coach and the team instead of being focused on Jesus. Whenever we focus on man, there will be disappointments and heartache, but Jesus never fails!
Pastor Thomas, I know it is extremely painful for my husband to see the move of coach cal, but things, people, situations change and we have to go with it and pray for the best while asking the Lord to help us to adjust change.
Coach Cal's departure is hurtful, but we know the tiger fans have to move on. The way he left was distasteful.
People are disappointed in the coach not at him pursueing his dream but the manner in which he did it. All is well that ends well time to move on. With God's blessing loyal U of M fans will have that elusive championship one day. Praise Him Always!!!