As we sit here on a very cold Saturday morning in late March in New Jersey scrolling through the numerous storylines about St. Peter’s University’s run to the Elite Eight, there is one word that again smacks us in the face that needs to be recognized.
Joy.
Now there is going to be much cliched writing about the Peacocks because this is so unprecedented, but what is more than cliché…its very real, that this unique story has shone a light on many of those who the spotlight misses, and who we kind of forget from time to time in the big deal world of sports, media and entertainment.
There is a great piece in America, read it here, that highlights the real winners in the St. Peter’s run…a school that is clearly identified as blue collar, Hispanic and African American, unlike every other school that made the men’s or women’s fields. There is also a great point that unlike most of the schools in both fields…Notre Dame is another that highlighted cause in their on court shirts (Pray for Ukraine)…St. Peters players, all of which except folk hero and NIL star Doug Edert, are of color, chose to wear shirts that deliver “Black Lives Matter” as a message. Again with all the cutesy Peacock sayings they could have had, they chose a cause that is reflective of who they are, whether they walked off the court in the MAAC semi-finals, against Kentucky, or…who knows when.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 25: Hassan Drame #14 of the St. Peter’s Peacocks reacts with teammates on the sidelines in the first half of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) 
They reflect who they are.
Back to Joy again. St. Peter’s run has cast a light on people that normally don’t get that chance to revel in the communal glory of big time sports. It’s something you watch from time to time, maybe you go to a game or two or buy some merch, but its not what you do for your vocation. You went to St. Peter’s you are a nurse, you are in finance, you teach, you work in the tech space, but you aren’t rallying around the Peacocks on a cold Tuesday night in January. Now this communal joy of sports is you…for the first time, maybe for the last, but it is a glow that you share. I have seen the faces of many personally…the admin assistant at the National Lacrosse League, former colleagues in athletic administration and media who worked at St. Peter’s, friends form Jersey City who went to the school because it was the right affordable option, whose joy is real and palpable and very special, and we all share that joy as well for them.
That’s what St. Peter’s run has meant.
It has brought joy, unexpected joy, to many who would never, ever have expected it, and that’s what has made it so special, even more so given what we have all…all…gone through the past two years.
Now do I think that when this ends that there is going to be this massive windfall that will change the lives of millions around the Jesuit University of New Jersey? No. Corey Leff had a good piece Friday about how the “Cinderella Experience” is not as real or prolonged for schools as people think. Short term, yes. Longer term in the form of dollars flowing in to all MAAC schools, yes that helps. But is St. Peter’s going to have a massive transformation? No. And guess what, it shouldn’t, because that’s not who St. Peter’s is.
Hopefully there are some prospective students who have seen the run and might apply, and there are some alums who have never thought about giving that may open up the check books and remember that this school helped get them to where they are. That’s a good thing. But the reality is whenever this run ends, that some glow will fade, coaches, and maybe players will move on, and Jersey City goes back to being Jersey City. Nothing wrong with that. It doesn’t detract, it’s not sad, its really just life, especially in a world that is more and more about the present, and the immediate present.
None of that detracts from the joy though, and the reminder that this team…these individuals…knew who they were and they continued to fearlessly execute. Joyfully.
Many times the pressure brings relief and overwhelming emotions, not just joy. With St. Peter’s we see joy. It’s the same in the business we are in, or probably I would hope, in any profession, or in any relationship. When you are in it for so long, you get lost in the weeds and forget how much fun things can be, or how much joy an industry like sports and entertainment can bring to others.
No matter how driven you are, you should be able to convey the good to others. I am convinced that a smile and more importantly, positive passion and enthusiasm are invaluable, whether you are a third grade teacher or Shaheen Holloway. There is too much sadness in the world, if you love what you do convey that publicly.
Often times people may seek you out for career advice or some counsel which has nothing to do with the day to day duties of work. Some are young people starting out, others are in the midst of career change or are going through some unusual episodes, and sadly even more are people who have lost their way and are struggling to find a new fit. I certainly don’t have all or sometimes most of the answers, but I do know that as I have said before, a job does not define you, just like a University or a high school does not define a teacher or a student. You help define it, and that’s how you make your impact. Finding that little bit of joy in all is what makes this ride so special.
No one said it was going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the ride right? Whether we are high school students or award winning artists, we only get one shot at this, so let’s not miss the opportunity. We are all in it together.
Hey am I always the happiest of people? Ha, that’s funny. However I do find joy in something, anything every day, and now that the weather is getting a little cooler (and we have some momentous family occasions coming) I’m hoping that joy is conveyed to others we pass along the road. It has certainly been conveyed back to me in some notes and emails I have received from folks who I tried to help, or just listen to for a few minutes. The pleasure to all…was mine. Being able to help, for me, even a little bit, is very joyous.
St. Peter’s run, to those we know and those watching from a far, is a joy to behold, and it may not be able to convey for the long haul, but don’t stop trying. The impact they have had in such a small window in the prism of time is remarkable, and it is something that will bring joy as the next stage starts…whatever that is for all who have witnessed it.
March Madness? Maybe. More like March Joyfulness.
Strut Up.
