M E R I N G R A C E

LIVING MY BEST LIFE

[M E R I N G R A C E @MerinMcDermott]

My experience at Aquinas has been nothing but so amazing and especially having the best coach @lewisrobbo , I could ever ask for. Also shout out to the best teammates ever and i’m so SO blessed!

[Aquinas Women's Soccer @AQWSoccer]

Congratulations to Merin McDermott as she was recognized at the National Soccer Coaches Convention today, representing our program as a United Soccer Coaches All American!

[JJ Watt @JJWatt]

The woman in the photo grew up literally down the road, won 4 Utah state championships (1 in this exact stadium), Gatorade Player of the Year twice, National Player of the Year, scored the fastest first goal in USWNT history…

Could probably be worth a mention, but idk.

[Jamy Bechler @jamybechler]

DEVELOPING MENTAL TOUGHNESS

"You get mental toughness because things are hard. You've got to embrace hard.

Tough times make hard people. Easy times make soft people...

You've gotta learn to overcome things that are hard." (Nick Saban)

[SoccerGirl @SoccerGirlFC]

LYNN WILLIAMS DESERVES TO BE THERE 🗣️

[M E R I N G R A C E @MerinMcDermott]

@qdoba why don’t you do doba wednesdays anymore? :(

[M E R I N G R A C E @MerinMcDermott]

I would not leave horan’s forehead unmarked in the box.. ever

[GVSU D3 Hockey @gvsuhockeyd3]

Warmups are underway for the second game of pool play!

[Connor Moore @ConnorMoore_7]

f*ck it, new USWNT video drop because we back and play for another trophy Sunday

[Athas Zafiris @ArtSapphire]

Sam Kerr vs Stupid White Bastards. Undefeated.

[The Women's Game @WomensGameMIB]

REPLAY OF JAEDYN SHAW GOAL. A BEAUTY

[U.S. Women's National Soccer Team @USWNT]

Cat’s outta the bag!

Welcome back, @catarinamacario 🫶

🎥 » @AttackingThird

[Michigan State Hockey @MSU_Hockey]

That's a HUGE go-ahead strike by Reed Lebster!

[kira 👾 @kirawontmiss]

i will do ANYTHING to experience this level of hype again

[Jamy Bechler @jamybechler]

COST ASSOCIATED WITH LEADERSHIP

"Have to make hard decisions that'll negatively affect people you care about...

Be disliked despite your best attempt to do the best for the most...

Be misunderstood and not always have the opportunity to defend yourself."

~ Kirby Smart

[Jamy Bechler @jamybechler]

CULTURE IS EVERY DAY

"Culture is habits. It's what you do every day. It's your standards." (Porter Moser)

~ via @PorterMoser @OU_MBBall

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Nick Saban said, "There are 3 things we can't have: We can't have complacency, we can't have selfishness, and we can't lose our accountability."

Accountability means taking ownership.

It means holding everyone to the standard.

Accountability is not only what you do, but also what you don't do.

It's foundational to trust and building trust within yourself and your team.

Success doesn't happen without accountability.

6 Principles of Accountability:
1. Acceptance - It means acknowledging your responsibilities and taking ownership of your actions to move forward. Know what you want, believe in it, and make it a priority. Be clear and specific about your values, standards, and environment.

2. Clarity - It means defining the standard and the expectations you expect from yourself and others. This is essential for communication. When you have a clear standard, you have a roadmap to follow, and it makes accountability much easier.

3. Honesty - Be honest with yourself and others. Be truthful and transparent about your actions, decisions, and outcomes, even when they are challenging or unfavorable. Build trust and credibility by being honest with others (and yourself) when you don't meet the standard that was set.

4. Courage - Have the courage to admit mistakes, address problems, and take corrective actions. There will be times you fall short, but having courage means demonstrating a consistent commitment to accountability and growth. By being courageous, you build confidence in the process.

5. Leadership - People do what people see. Set the tone and be the example of change that you want to see. Leadership means leading others and leading yourself by embracing the standard. When leaders hold themselves accountable, it sets an example for others to follow.

6. Trust - Accountability thrives in an environment of trust. When you trust yourself, you know what to expect. When you trust others, you can expect them to stick to their word because you know their values, standards, and what they stand for. Communication is easier when you trust people.

"Failing to hold someone accountable is ultimately an act of selfishness." - Patrick Lencioni

[Aquinas Women's Soccer @AQWSoccer]

#9 AQ Women Top #8 John Brown 2-1 to Advance to National Quarterfinals #SaintsMarchOn

https://t.co/07Bkh92IbQ

[Jamy Bechler @jamybechler]

WIN THE GAME IN YOUR HEAD FIRST

"Players and people break down mentally before they do breakdown physically. You're not just training them to run, jump, and do things. You're training them, hopefully, to think under pressure." (Geno Auriemma)

~ via @TheCoachJournal

[Front Office Sports @FOS]

Erin Matson is the most decorated field hockey player in UNC history.

After graduating, the Tar Heels offered her the head coaching job — making her the youngest in NCAA athletics at 23 years old.

In year 1, she's led her former teammates to a #1 ranking — and just won the ACC.

[MACtion @MACSports]

🏆 Coach of the Year 🏆

Western Michigan's @lewisrobbo has been named the 2023 MAC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year!

@WMUWomensSoccer | #MACtion