Forbes contributor Steve Cooper says there’s a simple way to separate two candidates who appear equally qualified. Ask each of them “Have you every participated in sports at an elite level?”

Then, go with the athlete, Cooper writes.

And studies back him up.

“Current research indicates that individuals who have competed in elite level athletics, i.e., collegiate, international, or professional level competition possess higher levels of emotional intelligence than their non-athlete counterparts,” says psychologist Richard Mendelson.

Among athletes, Cooper posits, wrestlers are the cream of the crop. “Wrestlers,” he writes, “have a capacity to push themselves harder than most and display an unrivaled mental toughness.”

And, heck, even Socrates backs him up. Socrates is credited with saying: “I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler.”

Cooper goes on to explain that because of wrestlers’ training regimens, discipline, endurance, and ability to control their body weight, they make excellent employees.

There’s lots more to this thought-provoking column, so check it out. What do you think? Do athletes, especially wrestlers, make outstanding employees?

—Positive mentors. A great coach can influence an athlete’s life in countless ways. “When kids have early, positive experiences with coaches, they continue to seek out and learn from mentors who can help them with school, jobs, and other interests,” writes education.com contributor Lucy Rector Filppu. Being taught by a smart, supportive coach helps kids learn that if they’ll listen to an expert (and not just insist they already know everything) they’ll likely get better. A great lesson for being “coachable” in sports AND life!

—The 3 “P’s”. They’re kinda like the 3 R’s, which give children the basics they’ll need to begin their academic lives. Likewise, the 3 P’s — practice, patience and persistence — equip kids with the skills they’ll need to become composed, ambitious adults. “Whether it’s showing up to practice when you’d rather be home playing Legos, waiting your turn on the sidelines, or doing the same drill over and over again, the three ‘P’s’ of team sports translate into important life lessons,” writes Rector Filppu.

Check out this great article to learn lots more benefits of team sports. It’s truly remarkable how sports can impact a person’s life long-term!

My Midwest swing had me pass through Madison at UW for their student-athlete awards night – the Buckingham’s – http://www.uwbadgers.com/acad-services/buckinghams-awards.html.  Bridget Woodruff, Doug Tiedt, Jason Holtman and the entire UW (https://twitter.com/BadgerAcademics) team did an amazing job putting on a night to remember.  Who knew Badgers played guitar, danced ballet and sang opera?  “Find your greatness” was a theme – I thought about this quite a bit and I realize greatness is a relative term.  UW sets the bar mightily high.  Your excellence in the classroom, on the field, in community and now in Madson’s State Street Theatre is crystal clear.  Thanks for having me.

Finally, I am just leaving the N4A regional in Minneapolis.  Granted, shock value is (pretty) high for this dude from Carolina when he sees that much snow in late April but what an amazing time.  Lynn Holleran and her team from the U had it wired (http://gopheracademics.com/?SPSID=39781&SPID=3310&DB_OEM_ID=8400).  The campus is beautiful.  The facilities were outstanding.  And the people topped it off.  Great sessions and even better getting a chance to see and meet so many.  PS – if you have not been to a “Sota-Social”, just know you are missing out.  Thanks for having me.

Which takes me full circle – the N4A community (https://twitter.com/nfoura) reminds me (and vice versa) of my cousin Kelli.  Selfless and in it for the right reasons.  Your accomplishments are amazing and need to be recognized.  What’s more, your devotion and commitment are second to none and should be known as exemplary.  You are in it for the kids.  Tough to argue that logic.  You are genuine advocate of the student-athlete and should be VERY proud…Very inspiring – so again, thank you for having me.

Keep thinking student-athlete….and keep doing good.  And you will do good.

The study, which aimed to learn more about different types of college students, opened the minds of the skeptical researchers to the academic and real-life benefits of athletics. Turns out, it was the student athletes — not the general student population — that scored highest in all seven intangible academic areas the professors determined contribute most to future success: critical thinking, self-awareness, communication, diversity, citizenship, relationships and leadership. All seven!

“I’m the faculty member who used to say athletics is a waste of time, and it’s stupid,” Dr. Will Barratt told ESPN. “Once I looked at this data, I realized I was wrong. I still don’t go to games, but I do understand the educational value behind athletics.”

Suddenly, Barratt viewed “jocks” in a new light. “While student athletes enter college at a lower academic level than non-athletes, they progress at almost double the speed and contribute more in those intangible areas,”  he told ESPN. One possible reason student-athletes received such high marks is the structured schedule they are required to keep. Non-athlete students head off to college and enjoy their first taste of live-it-up, Mom’s-not-here freedom, but athletes’ lives remain heavily structured and monitored.

To read ESPN’s funny and thought-provoking story about the Indiana State University study, click here.

Make meal time, friends time. Your friends understand you’re slammed during your sport’s season. Since student-athletes should be eating three balanced meals each day, use this time to meet with your pals. “Set up breakfast, lunch and dinner dates with your non-student-athlete friends to catch up on life,” advises Kelly Clayton in a USA Today article. “This tip not only gets you into good eating habits but also lets you unwind and have a social life.”

Stay in shape all year. This doesn’t mean you should continue to exert yourself at mid-season levels throughout the summer. Allow your body to relax and recover from the pounding it took, but don’t lose everything you built through hard work and dedication.

“Coaches are always preaching how it is easier to stay in shape than to get back into shape, and it’s the truth,” Clayton writes. “Staying in shape can be as minimum as riding a bike for 30 minutes four times a week!”

For five more great tips about keeping your game, grades and relationships on track during the season, check out this story.

Topics to include:   

• Self awareness and academic planning
• Self leadership
• Habits of successful students
• Career development
• Transition into the workforce

Please join us by following the instructions below:

1. Please join my meeting.
   https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/627307480

• Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) – a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone

•  Dial  1 (213) 493-0603 Access Code: 627-307-480

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                  Meeting ID: 627-307-480

Dates:

• February 27^th
• March 6,13, 20,27

Time:

• 1pm EST

From: http://tammyerickson.com/january-2013-newsletter

The Next Generation — the ReGeneration — Will be Steeped in Reality

Latest TEA Research Identifies Unique Characteristics of New Cohort and Major Implications for Business

They save, defer gratification, and accept the need to compromise. They improvise and demonstrate initiative. They are committed to solving tough problems and facing resource shortages head on. Sound like people you might like . . . or would like to hire?

Tammy Erickson Associates’ latest research identifies these as characteristics of the Re-Generation, kids roughly 17 and younger. Today they are our children or grandchildren; increasingly, they are our customers; and soon, they will be our employees and colleagues in the workplace.

We’ve just completed a survey of members of the Re-Generation in the U.S. Some of the surprising headlines include:

• 56% are already saving for a specific purchase they hope to make in the future
• Only 12% strongly agree that a nice home is an important status symbol; only 9% strongly agree that a nice car is
• Only 44% say they are likely or very likely to ever have a mortgage
• The number one thing they wish they were learning in school is how to get a job
• 37% believe they learn more outside the classroom than they do in school

These and other characteristics found in our research have major implications for business and business leaders. For example, the Re-Gens’ habit of saving and willingness to defer gratification means that businesses’ ability to attract them to impulse purchases of major items through financing offers will lessen. The popularity of “old fashioned” models for purchasing, such as lay-away, will grow. The financial industry will need to shift to meet the Re-Gens’ preference for debit cards and pre-loaded purchase cards, over credit. Any business based on credit or financing arrangements must re-think now.

Avis’ recent acquisition of Zip Car reflects a savvy recognition of another important trend: the Re-Gens’ preference for renting. The bicycle rental businesses appearing in many major cities and online options for renting luxury apparel are other examples. Re-Gens will combine their comfort with technology and their financial caution to find creative approaches to access goods. All companies should consider how the trend toward on-demand rental will impact their business models and seek innovative approaches to spread costs over a broader network of individuals.

Let us know if you’d like to learn more about the implications of the Re-Generation on your business. Get ready now!

Warm regards,

Not too long ago, Coach Saban was in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and after two years, posted a 15/17 record for a .469% winning percentage.  He left the Dolphins and as an ESPN personality said last night, accepted the Alabama job with his tail between his legs.

This makes me think about my favorite metaphor for careers – “careers are like a surfing contest.  You better be a great surfer.  But to win the competition, you need to catch the right wave.”

Coach Saban rolled the dice and took the risk on the NFL.  After two years, he did not find the right wave.  He jumped on the Alabama wave and is riding that for all it is worth.

I congratulate Coach for winning the national championship.  But I also congratulate him for successfully managing his career into one of the best success stories in the history of college football.

Knowing which waves to ride is all the difference in the world…

“The Aspire Group offers a wonderful opportunity for our student-athletes to launch their careers.  The Aspire Group’s leadership, culture and training all signal an outstanding place to start a career and we are very excited to begin our partnership with their team.  Our shared passion for student-athletes will most certainly make for a successful partnership,” says Vin McCaffrey, CEO of the Game Theory Group.

“As The Aspire Group adds Fan Relationship Management Centers (FRMC) across the globe, recruiting the top talent continues to be a high priority,” stated Bill Fagan, SVP & GM of The Aspire Group. “Our experience in hiring over 250 recent college graduates indicates that former student-athletes display many of the key characteristics needed to be highly successful in this industry.  Partnering with Game Theory enables us a direct connection with the most qualified candidates fresh from college.”

The Aspire Group is the global leader in Fan Relationship Management in both college and professional athletics.  Their goal is to provide their clients with “a distinct competitive advantage by maximizing organizational and marketing effectiveness, growing revenues and building an avid and sustainable fan base.”

About the Game Theory Group International

Game Theory Group International LLC provides comprehensive services for the development of the student-athlete.  Game Theory Group’s Collegiate Athletic Network uniquely positions them to work with employers in hiring student-athletes.  To learn more, please contact them at contact@gametgi.com or visit us at http://gametheorygroup.com/ .

About The Aspire Group

The Aspire Group is the global leader in Outsourced Ticket Marketing, Sales and Service for the Sport and Entertainment Industry operating 25 Centers in five countries on three continents. Founded by Dr. Bernie Mullin, The Aspire Group partners with its clients to maximize revenue, people and organizational performance, providing ongoing strategic and implementation support in executing and maintaining highly innovative sales, marketing, management, and operational systems and programs. This is best embodied in the Fan Relationship Management Center, the fastest growing arm of the company, operating in multiple locations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom; and soon to be open in Sydney, Australia.

For more information visit www.theaspiregroupinc.com