Coach Turns Graduate Students into RockStars
| 10 December 2009
Presents Four Part Series at MTSU
Whenever Coach Micheal Burt receives the opportunity to speak to the next generation and "coach" them up he never balks at the idea. Recognizing a true need for mentorship in today's society, specifically for college students, Coach Burt has once again teamed up with Dr. Colby Jubenville, Graduate Sport Management Director at Middle Tennessee State University, to implement his developmental opportunities for students of the program.
Being a former MTSU graduate himself, Coach Burt understands the different difficulties students face and the many directions their lives are pulling them during and after college. Students from Dr. Jubenville's Sport Industry class were afforded the invaluable experience and wisdom entrepreneurs pay thousands of dollars to observe during a four part series featuring Leadership Expert and Business Entrepreneur Micheal Burt.
The series, filmed on campus in the Learning Resource Center's satellite room, focused on Voice, Leadership, Execution, and Culture which has quickly become regionally known as the foundation of Coach Burt's message. Messages that can be tailored to audiences of all walks of life, but these particular sessions were geared towards the training of college students trying to find their unique voice.
During part one of the series, Coach Burt conveyed the importance of adding value to any corporation, even if doing so without making money. The same premise he followed while coaching at the age of 18 for Woodbury Grammar and eventually with Riverdale High School where he became the youngest head coach in the state of Tennessee. During the first five years in his profession, Coach Burt made just over $6,000. Would you work that long, doing something you were passionate about, for that minimal amount of money? For Coach Burt money was never a concern because he understood that in order to be treated like a RockStar you have to perform like a Rockstar.
"Out of all the things I'm fortunate enough to do, one of my favorites may be speaking to college students," said Coach Burt. "Helping that age demographic to find their unique voice in life may be one of the single greatest discoveries of their college experience and I hope my message spoke to the hearts and minds of every student."
On the second day of filming, Coach Burt spoke about his success with the Riverdale girl's basketball team where he led the school to the AAA State Championship, the first in the city of Murfreesboro in 83 years. In order to achieve this seemingly unachievable feat, he had to create a systems-based thinking for his team to follow. Once he had the right people on the bus, the wrong people off, and people in the right seats that's when the team could truly move towards their dominant aspirations.
"The biggest component I have taken away is to take action in your life and not to take the negative as a negative, but as a learning experience," said Matt Patterson, a first year graduate student. "It has made me want to go out and be more proactive in controlling my own destiny. Coach Burt has a passion for helping others. It seems as if his drive comes from helping others and the more he does the better off he is. That's powerful and inspiring."
The third part of the series focused on time and energy and according to Burt, "We only get one life but if we work it just right one life is all we need." The five major concepts discussed were wake-up, dream-up, clean-up, listen-up, and pay-up. Once these five ideologies are mastered then one life is all that is needed.
"The ability to be selfish to choose my own path is a concept I've never really thought about," said Nathan Wallach, a graduate assistant for the MTSU Men's basketball team. "For so long I've been told to get a job, make money, and provide for my family, but Coach Burt has taught me the need to make myself happy through dominant aspirations before I can make those around me happy. There is a difference between being good at your job and enjoying your job."
Finally, Coach Burt wrapped the series up with his Legacy Management System focusing on the impact a person can have on several thousands of lives by touching just one. Building and managing relationships may be the single most important ingredient in our lives. In sales, these relationships can be broken down into suspects, prospects, clients, advocates, and promoters for life. Understanding the importance of persistence and building relationships that turn into promoters for life is the ultimate goal.
"After having the opportunity to hear Coach Burt's message through several different speaking engagements, it's refreshing to know that someone can be so passionate and bring that innovative message every time with the same enthusiasm," said Bruce Lund, graduate teaching assistant. "For Coach (Burt) it's not just a public service announcement but truly a life changing message that has done just that for me, and I continue to take away a different concept every time he speaks. He can tailor his message to any group because everyone needs a personal coach in their life."
Students of the Sport Management program and specifically the Sport Industry class recognize the opportunities the program and this series have provided them. Coach Burt has stirred an awakening within the class and continues to do so at a national level.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm Coach Burt presents with in regards to feeling capable of being able to achieve any dream and aspiration I have," said graduate student Steven Winfree "It has helped me think deeper into what truly drives me to get up in the morning. I have had some trouble trying to pinpoint exactly what it is that I am meant to do with my talents, but this series has helped me find my niche in the system."
As the partnership between Coach Burt and Dr. Jubenville progresses forward, the industry will continue to benefit through their innovations but more importantly, so will students.
"Coach Burt is a pioneer in both business and coaching. To be able to take basic instincts and build a philosophy around them and a system to succeed is amazing. I truly believe with the time he has shared with us, the people in our class will have a leg up on the competition," added Wallach.
Several students have agreed that this course and series has been the most beneficial class that they have taken throughout their educational experience in both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
"This has probably been one of the most eye opening classes I've ever taken because of the way it was presented and the introspective thinking that is required," said Patterson.
Through the relentless pursuit of knowledge, coupled with the relationships built within the area, Coach Burt is undoubtedly an innovator in his field. Leadership is an ability often talked about but Coach Burt articulates and defines it in a way that can be understood.
"From an educational perspective, I have always believed that their are multiple intelligences and we need to do everything we can to develop those other intelligences, especially the intelligence of leadership and the ability to articulate our value proposition," said Coach Burt. "Dr. Jubenville sees the big picture and teaches students how to 'gear up' to win in life. I hope they invite me back next year."
