Not All Superheroes Wear Capes: The Power of Extraordinary Things

I’ve been blessed with having many superheroes in my life, and not one of them wears a cape. It’s amazing how ordinary people can do extraordinary things to help and inspire others. They may not have superpowers, but the impact they make is truly heroic.

When I was in high school, one of my coaches told me how much he enjoyed seeing me in the hallways in school because I always had a bounce in my step and a level of energy that lifted others around me.

Throughout the years, I faced numerous challenges and adversity, both professionally and personally, that challenged my resilience and often threatened to drain me of the seemingly boundless energy I gave to others.

However, I was raised to understand that someone always had it tougher than me and never to feel sorry for myself. Don’t feel sorry for yourself; fight through it and move on.

Over time, I developed the ability to learn vicariously through others’ struggles, and instead of diminishing my challenges, I paid attention to what helped them continue to grow through their adversity.

Sure, I was incredibly inspired.

More importantly, I developed the tools necessary to grow through my own adversity. After many reps of creating order out of complexity and chaos, I developed a quiet confidence that allowed me to thrive. 

When Ordinary People Do Extraordinary Things

One of my superheroes is Dave Yates.

We recently gathered to celebrate his success and well-deserved recognition. He is Head Girls’ Basketball Coach at Fremd High School in Palatine, IL and this summer, he will be inducted into the IBCA (Illinois Basketball Coaches Association) Hall of Fame with a resume that is nothing short of remarkable:

• 1992-92 Gordon Tech HS Boys Assistant Basketball Coach
• 1994-96 Lewis University – Men’s Graduate Assistant Basketball Coach
• 1996-97 Mesa High School (AZ)– Boys Assistant Basketball Coach
• 1997-2000 Highland High School (AZ) – Boys Head Varsity Basketball Coach 
• 1999-2000 2nd Place in State Class 5A (22-9)
• 2001-2002 Mahomet Seymour Head Boys Basketball Coach (15-11)
• 2002-2006 Fremd High School Assistant Boys Basketball Coach
• 2006-Present Fremd High School Girls Basketball Coach (419-135)
• 12 Conference Titles
• 10 Regional Titles
• 4 Sectional Titles
• 4 Super-Sectional Titles
• 2020 State Champs
• 2017 4th Place in State
• 2015 & 2016 2nd Place in State
• Five Time IBCA Coach of the Year (2013, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
• 2019 National Federation of State High School Association, Girls Basketball Coach of the Year

 

These numbers alone will give you legendary status, but the fact that Dave is coaching this season puts him in a different stratosphere than most. 

Last spring, Dave was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma Mutliforme. An awful, hideous, and unforgiving form of brain cancer. 

 

The average glioblastoma survival time is 12-18 months, while 25% of patients survive more than one year, and only 5% survive more than five years. This disease cannot be cured yet, and the longest survivor is 20 years.

Those numbers, like the ones on his coaching resume, do not matter to Dave nor do they affect his commitment to his players and students.

According to one player, “Coach consistently shows up for us, and that makes us consistently show up for him!”

Former teammates, high school coaches, peers, and friends gathered on the floor as Dave was presented with a plaque, and the moment’s significance was not lost on any of us.

Dave, though, had a game to coach, and at the end of the first half, one of his star players yelled at her teammates to “give me the f’ing ball.” When the second half started, that star player was still sitting on the bench because selfishness is not tolerated, while selflessness is the standard in that basketball program. 

The post-game was a blast and full of laughs as we told stories at The Donkey Inn. Don’t judge the name; it is a great spot! Two things happened while we walked out that put Dave Yates on full display. 

First, I noticed only two other guys in the otherwise empty bar, and they seemed to be waiting on something. Then, as we moved toward the door, one of the men approached Dave, introduced himself, and said, “You do not know me, but my son had you in Math, and hands down, you were his favorite and most impactful teacher. Just wanted to say thank you and wish you well.” 

Then, in the parking lot, I asked Dave if he could sleep in the next morning after a long, emotional evening, and he simply replied, “No, I have a 7:30 am meeting at school I need to be at.”

As I drove home, I thought back to when Dave and I worked together at Lewis University. They were two of my favorite years of coaching, and a lot of that had to do with Dave being there. He studied the game, taught the game, immersed himself in recruiting, worked with our players on their class work, and even pulled some all-night study sessions with them.

It was always about the team and never about Dave.

He did not boast, complain, oversell, or avoid accountability. Dave never had a hidden agenda and was always willing to challenge the status quo, often giving us a competitive advantage. 

Dave challenged me just by exceeding his own standards every day, which in turn made me raise my own. 

He is a relentless competitor and winner in every area of his life.

Even now, as he is in the biggest battle of his life, Dave is focused on the team.

When asked what drives him, Dave responded, “I really enjoy developing a team, seeing how good we can become by the end of the year, you know, that togetherness.”

Now I Ask You

A big part of my work is asking my clients the right questions to help them develop into high-impact coaching leaders. I want you to reread this note while thinking about your world, goals, and abilities. 

What is your biggest takeaway from this article, and how can you apply it to your world right now?

 

 

 

You may also want to read: Extraordinary Leaders are Consistent

 

This was originally published as a weekly newsletter from Ed Molitor, Coach and CEO of The Molitor Group. If you’d like to receive the weekly newsletter, submit the form at the bottom of this page to subscribe.