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By Mary Schaefer
IASA Director of Communications and Marketing
Sue Enquist, a former UCLA coach who has achieved more
national championship titles (11) than anyone in NCAA Division
I softball history, is frequently asked how individuals discover
the champion in themselves every day.
“It’s really a discipline. The minute your toes hit the floor you
must take five seconds to remind yourself you don’t have to
be perfect,” said Enquist. “The problem with the love affair of
being a champion is everybody is in love with the medal, the
trophy, which is the last 10 seconds of the season. Do your
best every day and be mindful of the little things, pay attention
to the details.”
Enquist will share some of the techniques she has learned
in coaching champions in her presentation at the closing
session of the IASA Annual Conference on September 28th.
Her keynote will focus on a renewed road map for personal
excellence, including actionable principles to launch your
sustained improvement in work, home and play.
Throughout her career, Enquist said, she’s noticed a common
theme in successful people is they pay attention to the details.
It’s a skillset she’s tried to emulate.
The daughter of a chemical engineer and World War II veteran
and nurse, she articulates her philosophy of life, leadership
and competition in three words: Prepare, love and honor.
“I was an ordinary kid. I was not blessed with an amazing
physique but was surrounded by people that put a high
value in preparation and attention to details, process and
discipline,” said Enquist. “The second thing I learned at a very
young age is there are going to be things you like to do and
those activities you don’t like to do.” She is thankful for the
teachers, family and coaches that helped inspire her to be
her best.
Above all, she coaches the importance of staying committed
when everybody is ready to check out and not be part of the
game or process.
“Being able to love the class, love the game, love the
challenge on its hardest day will separate you from everybody
else because that is when everybody quits,” she states. “So
the idea is really around loving the game, including loving
academics unconditionally because average people slow
down or quit when it gets hard.”
In 2006, Enquist retired after 36 years as a UCLA student,
coach and administrator. She has been honored with
inductions to six Hall of Fames including the UCLA Hall
of Fame, USA Softball Hall of Fame, National Fast Pitch
Coaches Association and International Women’s Sports Hall
of Fame. She’s extremely proud of the graduation record
during her coaching years, which reached a level of 98.5
Friday, Sept. 28—9:30am
CLOSING GENERAL SESSION
Competitive
Greatness 24/7:
Sue Enquist
Excellence
Never Blinks