I saw a story on SportsCenter this morning the likes of which I don’t think I’ve never seen before. Tony Bennett—the head basketball coach at the University of Virginia—signed a contract extension but turned down the accompanying raise.
Bennett is not only one of the good guys of college athletics, but he is a bonafide follower of Jesus (see https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/basketball/2018/03/15/virginia-coach-tony-bennett-says-his-faith-in-christ-is-the-greatest-truth-i-know/). He is also at the center of one of the greatest redemption stories in all of sports. In 2018, his Virginia team was the very first #1 ranked team in its regional to lose to a #16 seed in its first tournament game. There was quite a stigma and blemish that came with that loss. Imagine the sense of elation when his same Virginia Cavaliers—who came into the 2019 tournament with a #1 seed in their regional—moved through the tourney and won it all, defeating Texas Tech in overtime to win the national championship.
As you can imagine, a school with a coach that won the national championship wants to not only reward, but also hold on to, that coach. That’s where the story that I heard on SportsCenter so struck me. Apparently Bennett agreed to a contract extension but turned down a significant raise. Citing the fact he is already well compensated and quite comfortable, he requested that the funds be used to increase the compensation packages of his staff (who are not paid near the amount that he is) and assist the other coaches and other athletic programs at the University of Virginia. In addition, he indicated he plans to donate $500k to a career-development program launched for former and current University of Virginia men's basketball players. Mind you, he's not redirecting half a million from Virginia in lieu of a salary increase; that's an extra $500k already in his pocket. And while his total compensation package is such to where he’s not barely scraping by, at the same time a half a million dollars isn’t exactly a drop in the bucket.
His decision to do what he did illustrates a couple of key principles as it relates to leadership and living out a commitment to Christ: (1) If we are a leader, we must see beyond that which is immediate and/or right in front of us and grasp the bigger picture—in fact, part of what it means to be a leader is that we have a big picture perspective. One of the characteristics of a leader is to not only see further and wider than others see, but to also appreciate how they fit into the bigger picture and respect/appreciate/do what they can to support others who are part of the effort. Tony Bennett clearly does that. (2) When a leader willingly sacrifices for his/her team, it engenders respect and admiration from those with whom they serve. While I don’t know any of the members of Tony Bennett’s staff, I feel certain this is the case. A leader who will do something like Tony Bennett did is one for whom those who work around and/or under him will run through a brick wall or take a bullet.
As followers of Jesus we strive to emulate one who, at great personal cost to himself, willingly sacrificed his own well-being so those around him could reap the benefits and experience a wonderful blessing. Tony Bennett illustrates that we can each find ways to do that which will positively influence and impact the people around us. He also demonstrates that when we do, it testifies powerfully and profoundly to the presence of the One who dwells within.