Billy Donovan's Trip With His Son

Jeff Goodman is a great writer on college basketball for FoxSports.com. He wrote this article on Florida coach Billy Donovan's trip to Africa with his son.

The story and Donovan's adventures are great. But what struck me most was Donovan spending time with his son watching TV and dreaming big dreams. And more importantly, making those dreams a reality.

It's great watching fathers teach and lead their sons.

Family First

Brent Sutter is a successful NHL coach in the middle of a re-building project with the New Jersey Devils. But last week, Sutter did the unthinkable in the eyes of most professionals - Sutter walked away from his job to be with his family 3,000 miles away.

"It might not be the right decision for some people," Sutter said, "and that's fine. I don't look at it like I am quitting on anything. I threw two years of my life and made a big commitment 3,000 miles away from where my life was and tried to do everything I possibly could to accomplish a goal. So by me doing that my life has suffered in other areas, and those areas to me are bigger than the game."

After spending several weeks deciding whether or not to return to the Devils, he finally decided to go home to run a family business and actually be with his family.

"I just wanted to make sure I never looked back and regretted it. To be quite honest, I had a decent sleep last night for the first time in seven weeks."

I don't anything about Sutter spiritually. But he made a decision few professionals make, choosing family over the pursuit of their career. And for that, I admire him and tip my hat to him.

Wayman Tisdale

We lost one of the great men who ever stepped foot on a basketball court. I remember first seeing Wayman Tisdale when he dominated college basketball for the University of Oklahoma. Then for years he was one of the leading scorers in the NBA.

But even greater than his basketball prowess was Wayman's love of God, of people, and of life. He continued to use the gifts God gave him after he finished his basketball career by becoming a Grammy Award winning jazz bassist. And as much fun as he appeared to have playing basketball couldn't match the obvious fun he had creating music.

We lost a man way before we should have. We can all learn from Wayman to make the most of the days God's given us.