Shortly after Prime took its 4th second place
finish at a national event (Dallas PSP), the paintball community was dealt a
mini off season as things between the PSP and the NXL were being ironed out (or
not for that matter). It was expected
(<<< operative word there) that we would meet this opportunity with
the same fervor and zeal we do a normal off season… with blood, sweat, hard
work and determination to improve our game.
We have always prided ourselves on that.
It doesn’t matter if it is 103 degrees outside or if we are shoveling
snow off the field before practice, members of Prime could be found practicing
and honing skills. If you are a member
of Prime, you have pretty much said goodbye to the majority of your weekends
throughout the year. That is expected because that is how we, since the
foundation of this team, did things and how we found initial success. It is also how you grow as a team and as a
player. That’s what Champions do… they
sacrifice and this program, or any program for that matter, should do the same
if they wish to build a winning, competitive team.
That didn’t happen after Dallas…
We were “okay” with a 2nd place. After all, it was our first event in D1 and
we did “okay”. We got our groove after
the prelims and proved we “deserved” to be there. I personally (see previous blog post – The Riddle of Steel) tried to motivate
myself and others on the team into recognizing we were on the cusp. I fear I may have given players an out or
rather, a way to rationalize our performance. My mistake. But I learn from them and hopefully this
version of Prime does too.
Instead of taking advantage of the time given us to hone our
skills, work as a team and improve upon our performance like we have in the
past, we fell into complacency. That is
the only way to describe it without becoming foul mouthed. We become complacent. Complacent means “feeling so satisfied with
your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any
harder”
Boo-yah…
Granted, no one on the team believed that and no one on the
team ever came out and said that (nor would they). However, it is the only way to describe what
happened. Perhaps subconsciously? I don’t know.
All I do know is that team members began to focus on other things almost
as if to say, “we can play in that division, we will be fine!” not realizing
that the other teams were not being complacent.
I am by no means saying that the Prime guys can’t have lives. That is not the point here and my statements
should not be construed as such.
What I am saying
is, somewhere along the line between last season and this season, that fire,
that drive, that quest for winning lost its way. You cannot afford to become complacent for
one second in the competitive national paintball scene or you will simply
create new adversity… one that is difficult to overcome. Was the team burnt out? Were we working too hard too often and now we
were tired and wanted a reprieve? Maybe.
I faced my own adversity prior to the first NXL. I injured myself and was unable to attend the
event (the irony being I did so after posting the last blog – see Cowboy Up from last month). I have been healing for the past several
weeks. Those of you who know me know
that I push things and I have a tendency to push too hard. Well, it caught up to me. If I really want to overcome my injury, I
need to listen to my body and my doctor and follow a strict regimen. So far, I have done so because I want to play
with my team. I have done it because
that is what is EXPECTED by normal rational teammates who want me as a teammate
at the next event. I have had to go
against my nature in order to overcome.
I will not miss the next event. That’s
how I view things and how I had hoped my teammates viewed things. We were on the cusp… meaning we should have
continued with what we were doing… we should have listened to our “doctor” and
realized we should have tried harder to make it happen. We didn’t.
The first NXL was not our finest moment. For the first time in 3 seasons, Prime failed
to make Sunday. I heard all sorts of reasoning. Team members were quick to rationalize one
thing or the other. But deep down, I
think everyone on both squads (our D3 squad did not perform well either) knew
the real reason. No one put in the time
needed. No one committed the effort that
is required to win. No one was on that
practice field as often as they should/could have been. D1 teams are next in line for the pro
division and we were anything like a team vying for a pro spot leading up to
that event. The proof is right there in
front of the squad. Prior to Dallas, we
had some of the most in depth and intense practices we have ever had and it
equated to a 2nd place finish in division 1 paintball (a 3rd
place for D3). Contrary to that and prior
to the first NXL in Cleveland, we had some of the most automaton (going through
the motions, lets practice what we are good at and that should make up for what
we are bad at mentality) practices with scarce participation from all members and
it equated to a 2-2 performance topped with a 13th place finish.
There are consequences to action or, in this case, inaction. And it hit us in the face…hard.
We are re-evaluating because we were shown that we may not
have what it takes to be a professional program. That is why Prime was started. A grass roots program to work our way up to
the professional ranks. We are almost
there but to be honest with you, I don’t want it if we can’t compete. I don’t want it if the guys don’t give
150%. I don’t want it if we are just
going to be a flash in the pan. I don’t
want it so I can say we are “pro”. I
want it because we earned it. I want it
because we can do it. I want it because
we can win. I want it because the guy
behind me, in front of and next to me in that matching jersey wants it. And I will always do what I can to help my
boys achieve that. Can all the members
of the program say that to one another?
If not, you better call me because we need to have a talk.
Say what you will about us.
Love us or hate us, I know what the soul of this team is and I hope to
see it again. I saw some of it this past
weekend when professional player for San Antonio X-Factor, Grayson Goff came
out and banged with us in 100 degree weather.
I hope to see more of that in action and deed, not just word.
Gen. George S. Patton said, “Success is how high you bounce
when you hit bottom.” Here’s to one hell
of a bounce after Cleveland. Whatever
Prime decides to do prior to Virginia Beach, you can rest assured it is in the
best interest of the team.
Be water my friends,
*On a side note, I
want to take another moment to remember my friend, Boca Loca himself, Coach
Paul Richards. Words can’t express the
sincere feeling of loss at his passing. Rest
In Peace, Top.
