Villanova's Attitude

On this day, 37 years ago, Villanova (as an 8th seed) upset Georgetown becoming the lowest-seeded team to win the NCAA Tournament. Since then, they have won two more National Championships and are getting ready for their Final Four matchup on Saturday against Kansas. Villanova has a tough challenge against the Jayhawks, especially with the loss of one of their top players, Justin Moore, who tore his Achilles in their previous game against Houston. However, we can never count out Villanova because they're very well-coached and not dependent on any one player. Jay Wright has been the head coach at Villanova since 2001, and during that time, he has built a consistent and formidable program. While becoming one of the best coaches in all of college basketball, he’s also one of the most likable and easiest to root for - even for neutral fans. I have family who lives in the Philadelphia area and they are all big ‘Nova fans. My cousin is already down at the Final Four, so I texted him to ask what makes Wright special and what themes represent the program. He explained that attitude is one of the main principles, and how as a fan, he even wears a team bracelet with "attitude" on it. Having written a book titled Attitude: Develop a Winning Mindset On and Off the Court, Coach Wright makes sure the team keeps a positive attitude, which is crucial this week with Moore being out. After timeout huddles, the team chants, “Attitude! Attitude!” That is their mantra as they stay focused on keeping the right attitude when stepping back on the court. Coach Wright explains, “...whatever is happening, good or bad—we might have just gone on a 20-point run or be on the road down 10. But whatever just happened, that’s over. Done. The one thing we have control over is how do we come out of this huddle. When we step on the court, what’s our attitude? Are we coming out positive? Are we coming out humble? Are we coming out hungry? We control that.” He also says, “I learned how important the right attitude is—that’s why I wrote the book. It’s a concept that permeates everything you do as a basketball player, as a person, as a husband, a father, a team captain.  We all bring our attitude to every situation. How do we walk into a room? How do we meet people? How do we respond to challenges? To adversity?” No question playing with the right attitude has paid dividends for the Villanova program, so today I'd like to unpack what our attitudes should look like. Attitude is defined as, “A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior.” As followers of Jesus, when we think like Him and exude an attitude of Christ, then our behavior will reflect Him. So attitude begins with how we think, what we focus on, and how we view our circumstances.

Similar to what Coach Wright asks, we can consider, “When we step into our day, what’s our attitude? Are we coming out positive? Are we coming out humble? Are we coming out hungry? We control that.” Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:8 (NLT): "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." One of the other keys to having the right attitude toward life and other people is to follow Jesus’ example based on what Paul writes in Philippians 2:3-5 (AMP): "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit , but with humility , regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus ...” Additionally, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) implores us to "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." Coach Wright says this about attitude: “It’s a concept that permeates everything you do.” So if that’s true, what kind of attitude do we have today and what kind of attitude do we want to have? As we watch Villanova on Saturday and hear them chant, “Attitude! Attitude!” let’s be challenged to control our attitude...and adjust it to align with Jesus and God’s Word.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to think about things that are pure and right. I pray that my attitude would reflect Jesus in all I do as I desire to be humble, thankful, and joyful. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKS: 1. In what ways do you need to adjust your attitude in life? 2. How and why does attitude permeate every area of your life?