Best Sports Leadership Quotes & Sayings

I am not looking for perfection. I look for the best in me. — Martina Navratilova

First we become the best, then we'll become first. — Lou Holtz

It doesn't matter what anybody thinks of what I do. The clock doesn't lie. — Bonnie Blair

In my book success and winning are not always the same thing. To me, success is playing - or working - to the best of your ability. — Joe Torre

I don't pick on anybody who has a number above 30. — Mike Ditka

You've got to realize that in any competition there is always a winner and loser. When it turns out that you're the loser on a given day, you can be a graceful loser, but it doesn't mean that you're a loser in the sense that you're willing to accept losses readily. Concede that on that day you weren't the best and that you were beaten in competition. But that should make you more dedicated and hard working. It's wrong to accept defeat as a loser. Be graceful about losing, but don't accept it. — Nolan Ryan

There is no fun equal to the satisfaction of doing one's best. The things that are most worthwhile in life are really those within the reach of almost every normal human being who cares to seek them out. — B.C. Forbes

As a player, remember that the bench is not a prison, but an extension of the first group. Concentrate on the quality of your play when you do get into the game. If you play 20 minutes, play the best 20 you can possibly play. — Stan Albeck

I found out from my own experience that the best way to involve my daughter, Joanna, in sports is to participate with her. Recently, a mother asked me how I got my children to swim laps. The truth is, I've never asked my children to do laps. They see me do laps and want to do it with me. Parental participation is one way. — Donna De Varona

Australia has got some of the best sports people in the world, but we've also got some of the best scientists and innovators too, and that needs to be celebrated more. — Fiona Wood

Searching for funds to continue my skating career when I was 17, I called the Women's Sports Foundation in New York. The intern who answered the phone suggested that I might be a great candidate for the Travel and Training fund, and she sent me an application form. I applied for a grant. With the funds I was awarded, I bought a new pair of skates and a plane ticket to the 1988 National Championships, where I achieved my highest national finish. Four years later, I won the gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games. — Kristi Yamaguchi

Inner peace is not found in things like baseball and world championships. As long as I feel I've done the best job I possibly could, I'm satisfied. — Sparky Anderson

The unknown is the governing principle of war. — Ferdinand Foch

Never tell 'em how many lettermen you've got coming back. Tell 'em how many you lost. — Knute Rockne

Strive for perfection - never be content with mediocrity. You don't win until you conquer the little flaws. You don't beat these great ones until your form is perfect. This is true in all of life. A flaw in a product can ruin a business. A personal failing, a little one, can ruin a person's life. Don't be content with mediocrity - strive to live up to the greatest within you. — Bob Richards

We should learn ... to do our best for the sake of our communities and for the sake of those for whom we pave the way. — Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Set a goal and make a commitment to meet that goal. Do the best you can, but never forget your roots, never forget where you came from. After you have succeeded, look back and see if there are others that you might help to achieve what you have accomplished. — Larry Holmes

Bill Walton, UH Volleyball coach, after his player kept looking at him on the bench every time the ball hit the floor ... Next time you look at me I'll put you on the bench where you can see me better. My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy; you don't make them because they are cheap; you don't make them because they are popular. You make them because they are right. — Theodore Hesburgh

All through your life, you'll be faced with making a decision between two things-choose the one that is right. If they are both right, then choose the one that will make you feel the best about it at the end of the day. — Thomas Jefferson

A coach is someone who always makes you do what you don't want to do, so you can be who you've always wanted to be. — Leeman Bennett

In whatever sport of field of endeavor you are interested, you should do whatever is necessary to compliment your God-given talent with proper mental preparation so as to do "the best you can." The criterion should be to fully exploit your potential rather than to win at any cost. What more could anyone ever ask of you than to be the best you possibly can? — Bob Cousy

Winners bring reality up to their vision. Losers bring their vision down to reality. — Chuck Knox