This lesson on unity was taken from the Fall issue of “Coaches Outreach” by Tommy Maxwell. I felt it was a good lesson for not only coaches and players but also parents who want to have unity in our community and on our teams. We must understand that it takes everyone focused as one to accomplish anything great.

These six “body life” principles should help each coach lead his or her own team.

1. Unity starts with understanding that you are not on the team because of your own doing; you are there because you should work as one and not by yourself.

2. As a member of the team, we all must grow in knowledge and understanding.

3. We all need correction and discipline.

4. We all need to understand our influence on others.

5. We each are gifted and needed.

6. We should see others on the team as essential to our mission.

In looking at these principles, we as coaches, players and parents should think in terms of teamwork and oneness. It is inspiring and downright exciting when any team is effective because it is hitting on all eight cylinders.

As a community and school, let us get our Badgers hitting on all eight cylinders, and remember the six principles that will bring unity among us.

Joey McQueen is the Lampasas High School athletic director and the Badgers’ head football coach.