A New Chapter--A Son's Perspective
October 5. 2015
What began four years ago as an idea to connect fathers with sons and give dads a behind the scenes look at the program their sons play in has turned in to one of the highlights of the year. Whether it is going to a Cubs game, playing basketball with an NBA player, or going out on a charter fishing boat, relationships in our program have deepened as we have welcomed our dads to peek behind the scenes of the IAm3rd Way. Here is the third in a series of blog posts written by the men who were on the 2015 Father/Son Retreat, spent whitewater rafting in West Virginia. This entry is from Freshman guard Micah Davis. You can view the first post, written by Tony Marlin, HERE. You can view the second post, written by Jonny Marlin, HERE
Indiana Wesleyan University Basketball is all about winning. We're one of the winningest program in the country, especially over the past few years. Yet I have realized quickly that in this program, winning is 3rd. It's 3rd to putting God first, and pursuing life-long relationships and growth second. No one helps us do that better than our fathers, and that is why our Father/Son Retreat is such a special experience. This past weekend, we had 13 players and 13 dads who were all present along with the coaching staff and their fathers. I thought I knew my teammates coming into this trip, but when I saw them with their father, whom their DNA runs through, I started to see a bigger picture of who they were created to be.
Growing up, my dad and I had a saying that came from the greatest movie of all time--The Lion King. I would say, 'we're pals right? And we'll always be right?" My dad would reply "Yes!" Up until last year, I saw my dad as well--my dad. But this past weekend defined for me part of what my relationship with my father is becoming and will be for the rest of our time on Earth--friendship. This weekend I was able to see and feel how relaxed everyone was around his father. I believe it is because we are all men. As all of us young men grow up, we look to the older men--our fathers--as friends, confidants and mentors.
On the last morning of the retreat, overlooking a beautiful West Virgina canyon, we stood as a team admiring God's beauty. My dad shared how he felt so happy and blessed that I was in a place where I could grow spiritually, and that I was surrounded by godly men who would help me fulfill my potential. He never mentioned how he was going to hold my hand through the next four years, or how he would be there every waking moment. He acknowledged that a new chapter had begun; that it was my turn to grow up and become a man. It was a very powerful moment between my dad and I. In some ways, it felt like a spiritual initiation into the next phase of life, and the next phase of our relationship. I also heard both of our seniors, Jonny Marlin and Josh Mawhorr, speak powerful words about how God is working in their lives and how they believe God will work through our team this year. Their dads stood proudly by their sides, relishing in the incredible men their sons had become.
So, on the weekend eve of our first week of practice, and in preparation for the 2015-2016 campaign, I'm confident saying all 13 of us will be walking on the court with a little more confidence knowing there are men by our side who love us unconditionally, and are willing to do whatever it takes to see us succeed. We learn to be fearless and to be 3rd from the men who go before us, our fathers. Man, we got it good!
-Micah Davis, Freshman