The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team played yesterday in the “Elite Eight” of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament – otherwise known as “March Madness.” This means that out of 351 Division 1 men’s basketball programs, there are only eight teams left playing basketball. And one will become the national champion.
In the 85-year history of this tournament, the Tennessee Volunteers have reached this level of success only one other year, in 2010. So, yesterday was a big deal for anyone who is a Tennessee Volunteers fan, which I am.
As I write this post, the game has yet to be played. I don’t know if the “Vols,” won or lost.
What I do know is that I’ll be waking up this morning, either extremely excited about the Vols going to the “Final Four,” or a bit down that their wonderful season is over.
But, importantly, either way I’ll still be a Vols fan(atic).
Today, it’s not uncommon to hear our donors say something like, “I don’t like that decision,” or, “I don’t agree with how you are changing this program,” or, “I don’t like what I heard that person in leadership say,” or, “I don’t agree with how they are treating this group or that group.”
And, then, they might even say, “And that’s why I’m not giving to you any more.”
Winston Churchill described a fanatic as, “someone who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.”
Our work should be to create more fanatics for our cause. Our work should be focused on getting more donors, more alumni, more friends to believe more deeply in our mission. Believe so deeply, in fact, that one decision or one quote or one program change won’t change their minds.
Or change the subject. . .
Go Vols – I can’t wait for football season!
