NCAA March Madness and the Face of Adversity

As I float 30,000 ft. in the air, I can’t help but reflect on what is undoubtedly one of the best weekends of basketball that I can remember. 

It all started with my daughter’s high school basketball team (Greater Atlanta Christian School) winning the Georgia AA state championship. The team hasn’t won a championship since 1977 and I must admit, it was one of the most exciting games I have ever watched. The sheer happiness on my daughter’s face as a senior, will forever be etched in my mind, along with her friends who have been our adopted children since 2nd grade.

Just when I thought the weekend couldn’t get any better, my beloved alma mater, West Virginia University, went on to win their first Big East Championship against Georgetown. This is a team that withstood the harshest of critics and unpopular sentiment to emerge not only a winner, but a champion for the State of West Virginia. Bobby Huggin’s Mountaineers were rewarded with a #2 seat in the East Region of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, as well as #5 ranking in the country. I have no doubt they will continue to overcome adversity and march on to the Final Four.

As an expansion stage venture capital fund, we are often challenged with the same level of adversity, whether it be winning new investments or helping our portfolio companies in creating competitive advantage. It’s not just the satisfaction of winning, but the adversity that we overcome in getting there. This is how we learn…by failing…reflecting …winning!

So next time, when you think the odds are stacked against you, never lose sight, just take one step at a time and you too will experience a perfect weekend of basketball.