30 for 30: Survive and Advance

30 for 30: Survive and Advance

Holli Chaney, Paul Cozens, Ryan Gravley, Troy Paplomatas, Roman
Roberts
Emory & Henry College

HHP 324: Coaching & Officiating

Dr. Buchanan
February 10, 2016

Jimmy V (Valvano) is a coach remembered for his perseverance and the belief he
installed in his team. In ESPNs 30 for 30 film titled Survive and Advance, Coach Valvanos
legacy is brought to life in a historic run that his 1983 NC State team made to win the National
Championship. After an injury to star player Derrick Whittenburg, the Wolfpacks season slowly
began to decline. However, Jimmy V was able to keep his team focused on his main goal as a
coach: cut down a net. In the film, former players look back on practices where the only thing
they did was practice cutting down a net. The desire and vision that Jimmy V had to win the
championship gave life to his team, and this changed the culture to one that they all truly
believed that they could win.
Following the return from injury of Whittenburg, the Wolfpack began an incredible
stretch of the season. Entering the ACC tournament, they knew they would have to win in order
to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Dreadfully, they also knew this would mean taking down
all-time greats including UNCs Michael Jordan and UVAs Ralph Sampson. Despite the doubt
of others, NC State won the ACC title behind numerous comeback victories. Now, with
momentum, they made a run in the NCAA tournament as a Cinderella story and won the
National Championship against one of the greatest teams of all time, Houston.
Jimmy V was known for his innovative coaching techniques that helped them win nine 1point games en route to the title, but he now faced a new challenge he would not beat: cancer.
His ESPY speech about life is one that will never be forgotten and his legacy will shine forever.
His former players were impacted in a huge way from his positivity and they knew he always
believed in them. The Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research is still active today and leaves
an impact with one simple slogan: Dont give up Dont ever give up!

The very unique styling that Jimmy Valvano brought to his team is a style so admired that
it is still talked about today. As a coach, the fundamental science of that sport is so important and
is, generally, the main focus of a coach. In this case, many believed that Jimmy Valvano, because
he acquired such great knowledge of the game of basketball, made a phenomenal coach. Many
believe that the science that makes up being such a well-respected and successful coach, like
Jimmy V, involves knowing the anatomy of basketball as a sport. It is argued that the skillful
coach must have extensive sport-specific knowledge about the techniques and tactics of the
given sport (Hardman & Jones, 2007, p. 45). This quote is extremely powerful, when explaining
the complex domain of becoming a good coach. However, many do not realize that just because
someone may have a great deal of knowledge about a sport and how to play the game well, does
not automatically classify someone as a great coach. According to Chapter 3: Becoming a
Good Coach in The Ethics of Sports Coaching, In order to bring the second meaning of good
into sharper focus, we suggest that the Aristotelian notion phronesis (practical wisdom) is useful
(Hardman & Jones, 2007, p. 45). There are many good coaches around the world, but fewer
coaches that can truly be determined as great. Jimmy Valvano was a great coach.
We have one practice every year where they come up on the court, Valvano said in a
1987 speech, There are no balls, there are no drills, all we do is practice cutting the net down.
This is such an inspiring quote and alone gives a perfect image of the type of coach Jimmy V
was. This type of coaching goes back to the ethical and moral beliefs of what makes a great
coach. Although Jimmy V knew the game of basketball like the back of his hand, the time he
spent inspiring his team by different acts of success portrays a far better message than any coach
who is only focused on winning a game. When Jimmy Valvano had his basketball team
practice cutting the nets down, it became something the team expected to do. This was all part of

his notion of talking his team into dreaming big and then living those dreams out. The simple
pleasure of cutting down the net at practice became something that the team expected to do. This
notion became so powerful because it could relate to a variety of aspects that come from the
game of basketball. This is a prime example of what makes a great coach because if the team
developed many expectations, then it allowed them to work so much harder. If the team expected
to win, they instinctively learned they had to do everything in their power to win, all because it
became a routine for them.
Jimmy Valvano carried out a very unique and inspirational style of basketball leadership.
He taught basketball from a fundamental standpoint. He truly understood basketball from a basic
and scientific standpoint. Jimmy V began playing basketball at a young age, and had an
impressive basketball career himself. He attended and played basketball at Rutgers University
where he played point guard. He gained much of his coaching knowledge through playing the
game itself. In a journal written about coaching basketball by legendary coach Joe Wooten, the
evolution of coaching style is discussed. Wooten says Your philosophy starts forming the first
time you pick up and dribble a basketball. It expands as you participate in games and observe
them in person and on television. And it will continue to grow as you learn more about the game
and how to work with players. (Wooten & Wooten 1972) Basketball was Jimmy Vs entire life,
and he studied the game and learned how to coach players
One of the main parts of jimmy Valvanos coaching philosophy was the application of
hard work. He believed that anything could be achieved if a team can practice what is right and
practice hard. In his basketball-coaching journal, Joe Wooten highlighted his main points of
coaching philosophy. His main point went right along with Jimmy Vs style of coaching. Wooten
said to use basketball to teach players the intrinsic value of hard work, as well as what this type

of effort makes possible. Teach players to always outwork opposition. (Wooten & Wooten
1972) This philosophy goes had in hand with Valvanos coaching style. He would push his
players players to practice hard at every aspect of the game so that they would be prepared for
any situation. Jimmy V took this same mentality into his battle with cancer. He embodied the
phrase Never give up, and he showed everyone what true hard work and effort is.
For many people, basketball is just a game, but to the players of Jimmy Valvano,
basketball is so much more than just a game. Jimmy Valvano and N.C. States 1983 tournament
run is a story of believing and dreaming. The story that Survive and Advance tells about the
journey of Jimmy V and his team is so inspiring and portrays the many aspects that go into
coaching and playing. Survive and Advance is a perfect portrayal of Jimmy Valvano, N.C. State,
and a realistic image of what sports can mean. There are many ethical and moral issues that can
come from sports, and Jimmy V portrayed his morals throughout his coaching career in such a
respectful manner. According to Chapter 4: Objectivity and Subjectivity in The Ethics of Sports
Coaching, the question asked is, Do the moral requirements of the rest of life apply in the sport
world? (Hardman & Jones, 2007, p. 56). Jimmy V definitely made it clear that sports are so much
more than just a game and it is so important to take lessons we learn from the real world and
channel them into sports. Jimmy Valvano once said, No matter what business you are in, you
cannot run in place or someone will pass you by. It doesnt matter how many games youve
won. This quote from Jimmy Valvano portrays how big of a believer he was and that alone
speaks volumes as to what made Jimmy Valvano an outstanding coach, leader, and hero.

Works Cited
Hardman, A., & Jones, C. R. (2011). The ethics of sports coaching. Milton Park, Abingdon,
Oxon: Routledge.
Wootten, M. (1992). Coaching basketball successfully. Champaign: Leisure Press.