FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Recently we had a visit from a very popular college coach who is a proven winner on and off the field. I’m referring to Ray Tanner, coach of the University of South Carolina baseball team, which has won the College World Series the past two years in a row.
Winning this prestigious title is tough enough the first time around, but to repeat as champions is a very difficult task, considering the quality of competition at this level and the fact that the tournament is a relatively small number of games. Tanner wasn’t here to brag about his success, his team’s accomplishments or anything like that.
If you have ever heard Tanner talk, you know that he is one of the most humble, unselfish and caring coaches in college baseball, or in any other sport for that matter. Tanner also heads up the Ray Tanner Foundation, a charitable enterprise that helps poor children and children with medical issues.
Tanner came to Fort Jackson to visit the Soldiers of the Warrior Transition Unit at Moncrief Army Community Hospital. He spent some time talking a little baseball, but also took some time to explain to them what’s really important in his life.
Tanner relayed a story about a frightening experience that he and a team of U.S. ballplayers once had in Nicaragua, during a time period in which there was much unrest and instability in the Central American country. Tanner, who was coaching Team USA, remembered how confrontational and surreal a situation was getting for himself and his team during a game. The Nicaraguan fans were becoming rowdy and began yelling at his team, Tanner recalled. Meanwhile, machine gunners were standing on the dugouts in case the situation erupted and called for them to step in. Tanner said his team lost the game and he was glad it did.
Fortunately, the situation never got out of control. His team was later whisked away, escorted to a hotel, where it was sequestered until the players could leave the country safely. Tanner said that following this scare he made a pact with himself that every day is a good day.
“And every day when I wake up, it’s going to be a beautiful day,” he said. “There are going to be some choices to be made, and I am going to make some good choices.” That’s some pretty solid advice. There is no question that Soldiers can understand those thoughts and appreciate them. I would venture a bet that many of our WTU Soldiers share similar feelings.
Regardless, the Soldiers enjoyed the visit, judging by their comments. They could definitely connect with the coach and his credo about life.
“It’s never about him (Tanner),” one Soldier said. “It’s never about what he has accomplished. It’s about the bigger picture. You can relate to that as a Soldier, because when you go on a mission, it’s not about you.”
During the course of his visit, Tanner kept his hosts in awe, yet humbly conceded to them that they probably know much more about adversity, realism and perspective than he does. I am not sure about that. I think both the coach and the Soldiers know a good bit about loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
Yes, I am referring to the character traits that we call our “Army Values.” And, yes, both the coach and the Soldiers are tuned to the same frequency. Although they might not have recognized it, that fact did not escape the observation of MACH’s deputy commander for nursing, Col. John Nerges, who summed it up this way:
“He (Tanner) talked about developing people, trust, and commitment to the organization. He talked about the Army Values in a different language. He called them different things, but they were the same as our values.”
Why is it not surprising that the best mentors stress fundamentals and values?
Army Strong and Victory Starts Here!
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