Coaching basketball isn’t just about perfecting techniques and sharpening skills; it’s also about instilling core values like respect, gratitude, and an understanding of the opportunities players have been given. For many, the freedoms we enjoy today are the result of sacrifices made by individuals who put their lives on the line, including athletes who paused their careers and education to fight for those liberties.
Over time, the act of singing the national anthem at major sporting events has often become more of a performance, losing much of its deeper meaning. Virginia Tech basketball coach Buzz Williams recognized this disconnect and felt it was time for his team to understand the true significance of this tradition.
“These kids need to understand why it’s being performed,” Williams explained. “Even though I don’t mind Lady Gaga singing it, there’s more to the anthem than just a song.”
To drive this point home, Williams delivered a powerful and emotional lesson to his team. He emphasized the history and meaning behind the national anthem, ensuring his players grasped the importance of respecting it and the ideals it represents.
Through this heartfelt gesture, Williams reminded his athletes that being part of a team—and the opportunities they enjoy—comes with a responsibility to honor those who made those freedoms possible. This was more than a lesson in sportsmanship; it was a lesson in gratitude and respect.