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Listen To Your Lawn-Man



 In 1981 the pressure was on. Could I prove  I was a valuable starter on the varsity football team my sophomore year?  I felt confident playing receiver, but there were still some missing pieces I needed that could bring everything together. A large piece of what I was looking for showed up one day during the first week of practice. It came as I was in line for a drill when I got a nudge on my shoulder pads. I was thrown for a loop when I turned around and saw a gentleman dressed in a dark green uniform, but without his mower. He began giving me pointers about how I should run patterns against my defender.

I had never seen him before and I thought to myself? " Why is a lawn-man out here at practice telling me how to play my position? I looked around and  saw all of the other coaches in their gear except him. It was very strange. Later it was announced that the lawn-man was invited out as a volunteer coach. Then I thought, we must be desperate!

Getting past the lack of uniformity was tough initially. But being the respectful young man that I was, I continued to take in what he had to say. After a week passed I started looking forward to seeing him at practice. The lawn-man , coach Bob Bergmann, I later found out played at Clemson University. Because of him I was able to develop into one of the best receivers in the county. 

Fast forward years later at Murray State University- practice was just dismissed by head coach Frank Beamer. He held the receivers out on the field to get in extra work against the defensive backs in one-on- one drills. I reported to the corner of the field where Coach Beamer met our group. When I arrived he looked at me and said, " Marc go on in, you don't need this". Even now my former teammates remind me of how good of a route runner I was while playing for the Racers.

As an athlete you don't forget moments like that. Having a legendary coach give such a high praise in the midst of your peers was an endorsement that will live forever. But I  did not forget who helped get me to that level.

More than two decades went by before I would cross paths with him again. Coach had sold his successful  business, Bergmann's Lawn Service. But he was still making an impact on young people in the class ring industry. I was very excited to see him while I was on staff at a local high school.  I shared the story about  Murray State. Watching his face light up was like being on the field again! I still contact Coach from time to time to remind him that I am still listening to the lawn-man.

Many of us have a passion to develop and become great at something. But too often we have a fixed idea about how things will come together and whom we will learn from. Are you open to learn from someone who does not look the part? When I reflect on my initial interactions with Coach Bergmann and think about why I was able to connect with him, there are three things that come to mind.

1.  Listening to coach speak with a Confident Voice helped me look past his attire.
2.  I had a Strong Desire to play college football and understood that he held some missing pieces to my dream.
3. He gave me Specific Strategies for growth.

In the field of life be prepared to have a lawn-man show up unannounced. And remember, their outward appearance may not meet your expectations, but if you listen for the confidence, and the specific strategy, they just may be the one. The desire is up to you.





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