Art imitates life. I've shared the narrative archetype previously. With the release of the movie, "The Odyssey," it's worth reviewing Odysseus's values that helped him survive the two decade-long ordeal.
Loyalty
Odysseus endured trial after trial to return home to Penelope after a full two decade absence.
Basketball - different types of loyalty occurred. Jerry Tarkanian stayed at UNLV for less than half the money he was offered to coach the Lakers. Finding his agent murdered in the trunk of a vehicle sent a powerful message to "The Shark." Jay Wright was offered big money to coach in the NBA but stayed at Villanova.
Wisdom
Odysseus had to navigate tricky waters despite hearing Siren calls and escape from the Cyclops. He told the Cyclops that his name was "Noman." After Odysseus had put out the Cyclops' eye, when the Cyclops called for help blaming "Noman," he got no assistance.
Basketball - wisdom manifests in many different forms in the game. Some programs are smart enough to hire a top coach (e.g. Geno Auriemma to UCONN in 1985). Coach Mike Krzyzewski always advises, "Surround yourself with great people." Impose discipline. Every great coach such as John Wooden, Bob Knight, or Pat Summitt, keeps players in line, one way or another.
As players went off for the summer, Wooden gave them a new basketball. It had better not return in mint condition after summer play.
Piety
Odysseus knew enough to pray to the gods for both mercy and assistance. On multiple occasions, they intervened on his behalf.
Basketball - Don't dismiss divine intervention, looking through the prism of history.
Perseverance
Twenty years away from home, yet Odysseus remained undaunted in his homeward bound mission.
Basketball - some forget that John Wooden won his first National Championship at UCLA in his 16th season. It took Dean Smith even longer, 21 years at North Carolina. Some called him a loser, but Smith said, "I never felt like a loser."
Justice
Odysseus had his vengeance upon legions of suitors and a dozen corrupt servants who inhabited his home.
Basketball - Dean Smith was a social justice pioneer. In 1964, he integrated a segregated Chapel Hill restaurant by dining there with a Black theology student and a local pastor. He later broke the ACC color barrier, recruiting Charlie Scott.
Title IX is another example of basketball justice. Enacted in 1972, it prohibited sex-based discrimination in education. This changed the landscape of basketball by requiring that schools provide equal opportunities, funding, and facilities to female athletes.
Summary
Trends in the arts often overlap with societal change, not always for good. Propaganda in film accompanied the rise of fascism in the early 1930s, well-documented in The Boys in the Boat.
Be on the lookout for 'teachable moments' for our student-athletes.
Lagniappe. Be coachable.
LEnacted in 1972, this federal law prohibited sex-based discrimination in education, fundamentally altering the landscape of basketball by mandating that schools provide equal opportunities, funding, and facilities to female athletes.
