Motivation with words; words optional

Followers of Marist Athletics are very well aware that the men’s basketball team has been struggling this season. As I type this, though, the Red Foxes are winning big in the Bracket Buster game vs. VMI at the McCann Arena. Anyway, no matter tonight’s outcome, I think it is safe to say it has been a somewhat disappointing season for the hoopsters to date; any team that has 20 losses can be safely classified in this manner. However, they still have time to turn things around and finish strong down the stretch here; there can still be magic in March, and March is just a few days away. And on the sidelines, they have their biggest cheerleader and motivator sitting at his customary spot on the end of the bench.

For the past 30-plus years, Glenn Marinelli has been the general of the training room, the head athletic trainer, the coordinator of sports medicine, and the chief Good Guy in the McCann Center. Who doesn’t love Glenn? Really. Is there anyone who is more generally well-liked than Glenn? Through the years and the decades, he has been a positive force for all Marist athletes. That hasn’t changed over the past 20 or so months, despite the fact that Glenn is now dealing with a diagnosis of cancer at a way-too-young age. Predictably, though, Glenn is handling it with the positive energy and enthusiasm for which we have always known and expected of him. As the men’s hoop team has fallen on hard times this winter, Glenn has done his part to help motivate them, and other athletic teams, on campus. I was chatting with Glenn the other day, and he was telling me about it, about how he is trying to fire up teams with his simple words. Below are a few nuggets Glenn has shared with the hoop team, and in turn other athletic teams in need of a positive energy boost.

Be proud of who you play for.

Be proud of who you are.

Remember the little things.

Be a player from the start.

Never surrender.

Never give up.

Never surrender.

Play together.

The words are simple, the sentiment genuine, the motivation sincere. But really, words are not needed. All you need to see is Glenn going about his business as usual each day, impervious to his medical challenges, positive and friendly in his approach and never, ever, ever, complaining about his situation. He has provided some words to live by above. The words are great; the man is even greater.