Greg Tonagel -- Head Men's Basketball Coach -- Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats

THE LATEST

Dominican Republic Trip

The Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball team and staff recently returned from a life changing mission visit to the city of Santiago in the Dominican Republic.

During the week long trip, the team was able to witness first hand the poverty that is so prevalent in many third world nations. As in many countries in our hemisphere, western world influences are quite prominent in many areas, but in other places the evidence of clean water, sanitation, proper housing, and disease control are not to be found.

The team worked in an area where raw sewage literally ran down the sidewalks in the entire neighborhood. In spite of what westerners would proclaim as squalor at every turn, the power of God and the Message of the Gospel continue to go forward and are being embraced by a large number of Dominicans.

Our team was able to partner with a host, Global Outreach Ministries, in church construction, sports outreach and feeding hungry children. Team members were quite moved by the love and sincerity of the Global Outreach team and their dedication to serving the poor and spreading the message of Jesus Christ to those who are desperately searching. Many of our team members expressed sentiments that indicated this trip and what it taught all of us was the most profound and life-changing event of their young lives.

Everyone had the same question at the end of our adventure, "When can we return to continue what we have begun?"

The Experience

I wish I could somehow package up all the emotions and feelings that our team experienced during our mission trip to the Dominican Republic and so that you could better understand the incredible week that we had. We had set out to the Island of Hispaniola with two goals in mind found in Phil 2:1-11; “To become one in spirit and purpose and to have an attitude like Christ.” We came back with so much more. The experience of feeding hungry children at a food bank, digging a cistern for community water and hauling 7 tons of sand down a hillside so a church could be erected put the hearts and minds of all 15 of us in a place of humbleness. It was here in this place that our team began to experience the meaning of purpose; a purpose that is born out of passion and authenticity, a passion to love God and your neighbor with all your heart while possessing an authentic faith that goes beyond the surface.

Every morning we would wake up at 7 am before the hot Caribbean sun peaked, and we would spend time exploring the meaning of Philippians 2:1-11. We would soon take this ‘classroom’ theory into practice, as we would head off to a construction site. Encouragement was often a theme as the team worked in unison through the 100 degree heat. Drenched in sweat and covered in dirt never felt so good! Rarely was there a break taken because of the fear that we would not finish the project and the little kids would not have a place of hope. I was simply amazed and taken back at the shear determination to lend a willing hand not only to a teammate but a stranger in a far off country. There was passion put into every swing of the pick and scoop of the shovel. It wasn’t hard to be motivated as we worked in one of the most poverty stricken areas of the city. The locals just smiled at us in sheer gratitude as we pressed on.

After putting in full days work we had the opportunity to play in a highly competitive tournament put on by the Dominican Republic Basketball Association. Once again it was an absolute joy to see the team put into practice what they had been studying in theory. This was a team on a mission to play with purpose and passion. After a rocky opening game, we recovered and went on to win the championship! Even knowing that only a shower from a bucket would await us back at the dorm didn’t bring down the level of enthusiasm! After a great Dominican meal consisting of beans and rice, we would once again gather as a team and share our hearts and thoughts. I’ve been with some of these guys for many years and I was amazed at all the new things I learned. We all learned that everybody has a unique story to tell. There were so many rich experiences to draw from as we became real with each other. One by one, testimonies were shared, each one telling of a genuine and authentic life story. There was a strong sense of respect and peace amongst the team as we shared. It was at this time when I realized that we were accomplishing our two goals. In a powerful way, we were becoming one in spirit and purpose while having an attitude like Christ. Some things you cannot learn during a practice and it takes a unique experience. We are not the same team we were before we left the friendly confines of our comfort zone and headed off to a place that many would call dirty and poor. We found out that you must get dirty and poor before you realize that you are rich!

I have found that one of the biggest struggles in coaching is for our young men to grasp the concept of what the word ‘team’ truly means. This trip has brought new meaning to what we now call ‘team’.

1. Being a man means emphasizing relationships
2. You must possess a cause bigger than yourself

"I am third"

In my opinion, the greatest quality a student-athlete can possess is the ability to lead. Championship teams always have a defining leader. Some of the greatest figures in American history are so defined by their leadership ability. In basketball one must only look to Jordan, Bird and Magic. Each could do it all on the court but what separated them was their ability to lead. They had a knack for getting the best out of those around them. They brought truth to the saying that a “rising tide lifts all boats.”

We watch and evaluate many potential recruits throughout the year. As we sit in gyms across the Midwest, we are constantly looking for that special skill set or that intangible asset that makes one player stand above another. Every coach wants a “difference maker.” A guy who can help them get over the hump and take the team on to the next level. We believe that these difference makers often stand above others because of their leadership abilities. Not only are leaders born, but here at Indiana Wesleyan we are committed to developing our leaders. But what really makes a good leader?

Last Wednesday, May 21st, our team packed up the vans and headed off to the Ozark Mountains for a week we would never forget. We had the privilege of spending a week at K-2, a Kanakuk Christian sports camp located in Lampe, MO. Looking back to my college days, my time spent at Kanakuk as a counselor impacted and molded me as much as any experience I have ever had. Spending one on one time with Joe White is a unique and extremely rewarding opportunity. Joe is the founder of Kanakuk Kamps, He carries many titles including; coach, author, athlete and proprietor to name a few. Our guys found out first hand that you won’t outwork him, won’t out-serve him and won’t out-love him as he cares so deeply about relationships and individuals. To sum it up, Joe is a leader and he is passionate about equipping the next generation of leaders.

A mantra of Kamp is the “I am third” principle. This principle is based upon the understanding that a leader puts Christ first, team second and oneself third. Such thinking is counter-intuitive in today’s society. Our athletes are taught to put themselves first by looking out for their needs while making the team an afterthought. It has been exciting for me as a coach to watch my guys buy in to the ‘I am third principle’. To watch them figure out that it’s not solely about themselves but that there is a larger purpose to what we are doing creates a certain satisfaction that is hard to match in the coaching profession. I truly believe that the depth to which we will understand this principle will determine our team’s success next year.

There is something about sleeping in the mountains, hooping it up in the early mornings, wakeboarding in the afternoons, and finishing the night off with worship and inspirational speakers that draws a team together like no other experience. We had a lot fun at Kanakuk but more importantly we left with a greater understanding of what it means to lead. Because to realize our goal of being #1 next year, we must learn to be third.