{"id":854,"date":"2015-09-14T14:26:17","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T19:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=854"},"modified":"2017-02-15T12:15:41","modified_gmt":"2017-02-15T18:15:41","slug":"the-power-of-teamwork-is-universal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/the-power-of-teamwork-is-universal\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Teamwork is Universal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reading time: 2 minutes<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Many strategies in successful teamwork are universal, so a coach\u2019s words of wisdom often hold\u00a0meaning across\u00a0sports, groups or organizations. Such was the case when Maryville\u2019s wrestling<\/a> coach, Mike Denney, recently addressed Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 2\/6, of the U.S. Marine Corps. Denney shared his knowledge with the Marines, but he gained valuable inspiration, as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent three days with the Marines, and really felt a connection,\u201d Denney says. \u201cIt was a great experience. I love tradition, history and what they stand for. They use symbols and mottos, and our Maryville wrestlers do, too. They\u2019re building an elite, fighting group, and we\u2019re building a competitive group. And, you know, their ages are the ages of our guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Denney was invited to provide the distinguished Guest of Honor remarks for the battalion\u2019s annual Battery Ball held at Camp Lejeune in N.C., in August. It was anticipated the Marines would deploy sometime this fall, and he meant to send them off with full hearts and clear reminders of their training and discipline.<\/p>\n

In the time he spent with the group, Denney watched them train, toured their facilities, \u00a0and heavy equipment, met with officers and sat in on briefings. \u201cI wanted to learn as much as possible,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The Marines reached out to Denney on the recommendation of First Lt. Matt G. Ford, the battalion\u2019s executive officer. A former wrestler, Ford first met Denney when the coach was asked to work with his Nebraska national high school team in preparation for a tournament. The two forged a strong connection, and have kept in touch ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got goose bumps looking at their team unity,\u201d Denney says of his visit. \u201cThe Marines are noted for that. They\u2019re a band of brothers\u2014they have to be. Their lives depend on it. So, you can see why I connected with them. How do you create that team power? They\u2019re striving for it just like we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following his address, Denney was presented with a plaque that reads, \u201cThank you for your words of wisdom and motivation.\u201d The Marines were so appreciative of his coaching strategies, they also adopted the Saints wrestling team\u2019s battle cry: \u201cOOOSSSS!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a privilege, pleasure and honor to be part of it. I felt their unity, their team power\u2014their core,\u201d Denney says. \u201cI\u2019m called to do what I\u2019m doing; they\u2019re called, too. I told them, \u2018You\u2019re our world team. You\u2019re after my heart.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/i>Love<\/span>0<\/span><\/span><\/a> <\/i> <\/i>