ASHTON KUTCHER'S SPEECH

It's been all over television and the internet, but in case you haven't seen it yet, you need to watch this video of Ashton Kutcher's speech at the Teen Choice Awards.  What phenomenal and powerful messages from this native Iowan (and Hawkeye fan!).  Take a look at the video here:

GUS BRADLEY'S CLIMB TO THE TOP

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Coaches:  check out this article about the incredible coaching journey of Gus Bradley, the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Great stuff, linked here

WHAT MADE MICHAEL JORDAN GREAT

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On the TV show "Open Court" on NBA Network, Steve Kerr, a former Chicago Bulls player and teammate of Michael Jordan, was asked what made Jordan so great when he was a player.  Here is what Kerr responded with:

"I think just the will to win and the way that manifested itself in practice.  Everyday was a battle, whether it was a scrimmage or a shooting drill, it didn't matter.  He wanted to win so badly, and that established the entire culture.  Here's the greatest, most talented player on Earth, who's working harder than anybody, so if that doesn't establish who you are as an identity as a team, then I don't know what does."

Some great words to describe the work ethic that made MJ so elite.  And the best part of Kerr's words is that anybody can bring that mentality and attitude to whatever they do!

WELL-WRITTEN LETTER FROM AN ATHLETE TO HIS PARENTS

Check out this insightful letter, written by an athlete to his parents that was shared by the site "Proactive Coaching" on Facebook and then also shared via Twitter.  It has generated thousands of "likes"on Facebook.  The link can be found here

VIC FANGIO INTERVIEW

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If you're a coach and if you like to read, you'll love bits and pieces of this candid interview with Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, linked here

ANDRE WOOLRIDGE

Cedar Rapids Gazette

One of the greatest Iowa Hawkeye basketball players of all-time is former point guard Andre Woolridge.  Check out this article from the Omaha World-Herald, which catches up with the Hawkeye great, linked here