"The Playing Fields Of BSC"

Recently, at our annual “Welcome Back” meeting of all student-athletes here at Birmingham Southern College, new President General Charles C. Krulak took the time to inspire us with the words of The Duke of Wellington and we would be remiss to not convey his thoughts here in this space for our extended Panther family out in the blogosphere.

Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, was a prominent English statesman and military leader who served as both Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the British Army. “The Iron Duke”, as he was known in some circles, distinguished himself as an unmatched military mind and leader of men as he led allied forces to victory over Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo (1815). (Editor’s note- a manlier nickname, I have never seen.) In reference to this victory, Wellington is quoted as saying,

“The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.”

Eton College, founded by King Henry VI in 1440, is widely considered to be one of the finest independent boys’ schools in the world with an alumni list that reads as a veritable “who’s who” of British statesmen and political leaders. The Duke attended Eton from 1781-1784 and would go on to send his sons to the prestigious institution as well.

At first glance, it would seem that any correlation between the athletic fields of a college and the grim realities of war is metaphorical at best, but the Duke was not a man to mince words or make flippant remarks. Wellington simply knew what coaches and athletes at Birmingham Southern College have known for years; the strength of character forged in sport is not something to be taken lightly, and cannot be merely confined to the lines of a field or a court. Just as the seeds of victory for Waterloo were planted at Eton, our former players are quick to trace the origin of their successes in life back to their playing days on The Hilltop.

Here in the Basketball program, we couldn’t be more proud of our recent successes on the court; coming off back-to-back championship seasons, our future couldn’t be brighter. But as coaches, we take a larger measure of pride in aiding our athletes to lay a quality foundation for the rest of their lives- a foundation forged in the fire of competition as we join arms to do battle again in the SCAC conference, a foundation of character and brotherhood that is sure to support the heavy bricks of success our athletes will lay down long after the last basket is made, the sneakers are hung up and the lights are turned off.

Go Panthers.

-Jonathan Vines