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Breaking Down The Linfield Football Culture
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Year-in and year-out, the Linfield College (McMinnville, Ore.) football team piles up winning seasons. With an NCAA-record 56 consecutive seasons with a winning record, the culture of football at the small, private school located 40 miles southwest of Portland is the driving force behind the success.
The coaches can expound about Xs and Os with the best in the business, but when you ask about the reason why the Wildcats are successful, people associated with the program always point to the “culture,” as evidenced by the highlighted characteristics on the pictured card that can be found throughout the football area of the athletic department.
The characteristics surrounding the “L” include: Caring-Service; Strength-Fitness; Academic Career; Family Values; Faith-Ethics-Character; and Football Family.
Head coach Joseph Smith says beyond what is accomplished on the field, the true spirit of a Linfield football player resides in these values.
The back of the card lists the “Linfield Football Culture” broken down by four main categories: Team, Attitude, Excellence and Class.
TEAM
Trust. Trust in each other’s integrity and abilities. The team trusts you to do your job. The team trusts your word and consistency.
Unity. Come together as one. Show solidarity. Keep an open, honest, direct and respectful line
of community with everyone on
the team.
Enthusiasm. This fuels the team. It is contagious and infectious.
ATTITUDE
Mental Toughness. Everyone involved in the program must
embrace change, prepare for chaos and adjust to it. Look at
adversity as something that provides danger, but also opportunity.
Input = Output. You control what you put into your mind (turn off the television and read).
Believe. Know that the day will go in your favor until the final horn sounds.
EXCELLENCE
Work Ethic. Have a blue-collar attitude. Do not take short cuts and do it right the first time.
Accountability. You control your choices. Be on time. Simplify your life. Don’t make excuses or offer explanations.
Developmental Focus. Constantly seek to learn.
Self-Referent & Process Focus. Success is measured relative to our potential. Focus on preparation and efforts — not the outcome.
Football Intelligence. Be an expert on our system.
CLASS
Integrity. Your reputation is based on what others think of you. Do the right thing in public and in private. Be honest and humble. Offer forgiveness.
Respect. Play the game the way it was meant to be played.
