Jacqueline Wilson’s Post

Can lessons learned on the field translate to success in the workplace? See how playing lacrosse has helped our Manager of DEI Strategies as she moves along her career path in our latest blog post!

The lessons learned are the lessons taught.

November 11, 2023: Michigan State has competed in the early season Champions Classic with Kansas, Kentucky, and Duke for so long it almost feels as if it has been going forever. The round robin matchup has been around since 2011 and will once again be a great measuring stick for these Spartans.  This year, MSU gets a talented Duke team who is coming off a 5 point loss to Arizona at home. Similar to last year where the Spartans faced national player of the year candidate, Oscar Tshiebwe, they get to face another in Kyle Filipowski. Filipowski is a 6'11" sophomore hitting over 50% from 3 and figures to be a huge challenge for MSU's defense. In an early matchup with plenty of story lines, one big one for MSU is their futility behind the arc. Their 2-31 shooting has been epically bad and needs to improve if they have any hope of competing with the Blue Devils. Also, Michigan State needs to avoid another slow and lackluster start or they may find no way to climb out the hole to compete. Are you looking for collegiate apparel including Spartan gear? There’s only one place we recommend you go to get your MSU T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts — Nudge Printing. (https://lnkd.in/gkW3SZix) Nudge is owned and operated by Gabe and Brittany, two MSU alums. The business is operated out of Michigan and screen prints super high quality products. They also have a large assortment of apparel for other schools as well as stickers for your wall, car, or computer. You can also buy our merchandise to sport around town where all the sales proceeds go to support the show. If you have a home in Michigan you know the importance of clearing water efficiently away from your home off the roof. Unfortunately, the outdoor beauty of Michigan means you have to deal with leaves and debris that pile up in your gutters. Sometimes, those gutters also can’t keep up with the rain or leave puddles by your foundation. If you live in the Grand Rapids area (Muskegon to Saugatuck to Rockford to Lowell) contact Kurt Stauffer at the Brothers that Just Do Gutters. (https://lnkd.in/gg6RKQN6). If you’re anywhere in the metro Detroit area the Brothers have you covered too! (https://lnkd.in/g2yGdG3u). They are real professionals who will clean, repair, or replace your gutters and protect your home quickly and efficiently with friendly service. Mention Final Four to get 10% off your gutter work. #MSUHoops #MichiganStateBasketball #MichiganState #DukeBlueDevils #Dukebasketball

Have you ever wondered about the preparation it takes to assemble the Fiesta Bowl, one of the biggest annual spotlights of college football? Well, here's your answer! 🏈 Andscape recently profiled Erik Moses, Fiesta Bowl's CEO, about keeping the 53-year-old organization visible with its signature game and economic impact for Arizona throughout the entire year. One of the organization's other initiatives includes the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, which hosted 26,478 fans at Chase Field in #DTPHX on December 26. Do you want to know the career path that led the CEO to his position more than a year ago? 🔗 below for Moses' professional backstory!

Because #football season is finally here and in honor of #nationalcollegecolorsday, the team represented our favorite college football team today! #funatwork #bestteam I also wanted to share a quote from Clemson head coach, Dabo Swinney, that resonates with me. It's simple, but can be applied to any aspect of life, and that's to "B.Y.O.G- Bring your own guts". So what does that mean? To me, bringing guts is similar to bringing grit...Grit is a combination of passion and perseverance in an effort to achieve long-term goals. Without passion, perseverance leads to burnout. And without perseverance, we simply give up. Grit gives people a mental toughness that enables them to persist — and even succeed — in the face of adversity. How we choose to show up every day matters! What College football team are you following and what does GRIT mean to you? #soliant #clemson #footballseason #grit #nationalcollegecolorsday

Lacrosse, more than a game, is a cultural heritage rooted in respect for people, places, and the sport itself. The Essence of Respect in Lacrosse: • Respect for Opponents: Play hard but fair, acknowledge skill, and avoid taunting. • Respect for Officials: Show maturity and sportsmanship by respecting decisions. • Respect for Coaches: Follow guidance, show gratitude, and foster a positive learning environment. • Respect for the Game: Uphold traditions, values, and rules; play with integrity. Respect for Yourself: • Constantly improve your physical and mental skills, contributing to the team's success. Respect the Surface: • Treat the playing space with privilege—keep it clean, volunteer, and leave it better for others. The Impact of Respect in Lacrosse: • Enhances sportsmanship, promotes character development, and preserves the game's integrity. Cultivating Respect in Lacrosse: • Lead by Example: Coaches and experienced players set the tone. • Educate and Emphasize Respect: Integrate discussions about respect into team meetings. • Encourage Open Communication: Create a space for respectful discussions. • Address Disrespectful Behavior: Promptly address any instances to maintain a positive team culture. In Conclusion: • Respect for lacrosse goes beyond wins and losses, fostering sportsmanship, integrity, and continuous improvement. • It's the cornerstone upon which lacrosse thrives, ensuring a bright future for the sport. Read more: https://ow.ly/wV9h50Qb3xn #SportsmanshipCulture #LaxValues

🏀 Inspired by tonight’s championship game, the close of #MarchMadness, and NC State's incredible Final Four run, I'm here to share a few takeaways from the #Pack I plan to apply to the other 11 months of the year.   1. Be Bold! Coming into the tournament, the NC State's Wolfpack was the ultimate underdog - when we all heard the rally cry “Why Not Us?” we were reminded that improbable does not mean impossible.   2. Know and Play to Your Strengths. Watching both the men’s and women’s teams hit their rhythm highlighted the importance of recognizing and leveraging individual strengths. Whether on the court or in the office, knowing when to pass the ball and when to take the shot yourself is a key to navigating challenging situations.   3. Don’t Let Your Past Dictate Your Future. Adopting Ted Lasso’s “Be a Goldfish” mentality, the Wolfpack didn’t let their season record define their trajectory. Though the men faced a rocky season and several challenging competitors, they clinched the #ACC trophy and proudly cut down the nets after the Elite 8 game last week. Alternately, the women had a great season and approached the tournament with continued grit and determination rather than overconfidence. We won’t get everything right, but if we focus on continuous improvement and being a great teammate, we will set ourselves up for future success.   4. Build a Legacy – Both teams set a precedent for excellence, painting a vision of what is possible for NC State’s basketball program. In the same way, the relationships we build now are the foundation for future interactions and partnerships.   As a lifelong #Wolfpack fan and recent alumni, I focused on my team, but would love to hear some highlights from your team’s season as well! 🏀 🐺   #NCState #FinalFour #GoPack #HowlBack #ThinkandDo North Carolina State University NC State Poole College of Management NC State Alumni Association NC State Athletics

My journey in basketball started in high school and led me to the Hall of Fame. Despite facing obstacles, I turned them into opportunities and succeeded in business and athletics. I learned the fundamentals of basketball at Louisville Male High School, and Kentucky Wesleyan College played a pivotal role in my professional growth. I am honored to be enshrined in eight Hall of Fames for my accomplishments. If you're interested in learning more about my personal development and professional growth journey, check out my inspiring story. The hashtags that describe my journey are #TurningObstacles2Opportunities #BasketballSuccess #OvercomingObstacles #InspiringJourneys #SuccessStories #ProfessionalGrowth #HallOfFameBound #LouisvilleHoops #KentuckyWesleyanCollege.

On this #WorldAthleticsDay, if there’s something you’re hesitant or nervous about doing, this is your sign to do it! As a sporty yet amateur athlete (I’m sure many people can relate to), I thought the day I packed up my lacrosse bag, put away my field hockey sticks, and deflated my basketballs moving out of boarding school was the last time I’d be playing sports competitively. (Many) years later, that itch to play was still very much alive, and after years of contemplation, I FINALLY made the move to join a recreational team (which I knew absolutely no one at). Scary at first and quite out of my comfort zone, the 1 hour practice and 1 hour game quickly became the highlights of my weeks. As the season comes to an end and with every pass and goal, there has been so much thrill, trust, cooperation, and camaraderie. Stepping back into team sports, I’ve also learned the harsh reality that with age, my body is not as resilient as it used to be. Missed training sessions hit harder, and recovery takes longer. But even after MANY turf burns, cuts, bruises, and (possibly) fracturing something, this sport and the rush of adrenaline it brings truly cannot be replaced. Our very new team with more than half, including myself, only joining this season - we brought the team that was 7th place the previous year to 4th and made it to the semi-finals. A small win for us and an optimistic outlook for the next season! TLDR: If there’s something you've been contemplating—whether it's revisiting an old passion or exploring a new one—dive in. Test your limits. I could’ve joined this team many years ago and gotten a lot more years of training under my belt by now, but hey, at least I’m doing it today. Now it’s your turn! Find your thing and go for it.

Last night, the Boston Celtics clinched the NBA championship in a remarkable victory. One of the announcers said it was Jayson Tatum's "growth through failure" that allowed him to succeed tonight. Tatum's relentless work ethic and ability to learn from past experiences (remember the 2022 Finals?) were on full display last night. His resilience and dedication, despite setbacks, paved the way for his success. Al Horford's story is equally inspiring. After 17 seasons, he finally won his first championship. His journey is a testament to the power of hard work and the true power of persistence. Success in business, just like in basketball, isn't about luck. It's about embracing challenges, learning from setbacks, and putting in the hard work. ➜ Life rewards effort. Each setback is an opportunity for growth. Failure isn't the end. Celebrate your challenges and embrace the lessons they bring. They are what lead you to a win. >> How do you use setbacks as a learning opportunity?