using a pedestal when you have a chance

“this has to be a time for change.” – Pat Kelsey, Winthrop basketball coach

I was done writing about the Connecticut school shooting until I turned on ESPN yesterday morning and saw the Winthrop basketball coach after their game with Ohio State.

He had his moment in the spotlight.

And he could have used it to talk basketball <and do the infamous ‘primetime interview for the next job’> but he didn’t. He used his two minutes of spotlight to say something more important than his career or basketball efforts … he talked about important stuff.

Winthrop basketball coach Pat Kelsey used the power of his microphone after his team played No. 4 Ohio State Tuesday night to voice his opinion in the wake of the elementary school shootings in Newtown, Conn. Most times I am pretty stubborn about ‘right time, right place’ actions. In other words … there are some places where it is inappropriate to express personal points of view. And the wrong times to do so. This is proof I can be wrong. The message he delivers was nothing his audience expected nor probably wanted … and he said … well … “screw you” … what I have to say is more important. And he was right.

This may be one of the most worthwhile 1:40 viewing time you will do today.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/college-basketball/winthrop-coach-comments-on-school-shooting-1111235

“I know this microphone is powerful right now because we’re playing the fourth best team in the country. I’m not going to have a microphone like this the rest of the year, maybe the rest of my life. And I’m going to be an agent of change with the thirteen young men that I get to coach every day and the two little girls that I get to raise.”

This guy is my hero for today. A great expression of character.

Well done Pat Kelsey. You don’t know me but I sure as hell know who you are today.

Written by Bruce