The Struggles Are Preparing You

On Friday, the world lost a remarkable leader, George Raveling.

If you aren’t familiar with his story, Raveling grew up in poverty in Washington, D.C., and was an orphan by the age of 13. The odds were stacked against him from the jump. However, his mindset was never one of a victim but a victor.

Basketball became his lifeline. After a successful career at Villanova, he began his coaching career. In 1972, he was named the first Black head coach in the Pac-8 Conference, a historic breakthrough that came with both opportunity and pressure.

His coaching journey had incredible highs but many lows. He faced discrimination, losing seasons, and carried the weight of expectations few could imagine. Off the court, he experienced one of history’s most iconic moments—standing behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the “I Have a Dream” speech, and being handed the original copy of King’s words. That mix of triumph and trial defined his journey: history and hardship walking side by side.

A few years ago, I listened to his book, “What You’re Made For,” to gain insights into coaching, but I left with a lesson in leadership. He wrote,

That is the mindset that you and I need to keep in mind. Your tests will serve as a testament for someone or something else later on. The struggles you’re facing today will not be wasted. They are forming and shaping you to be stronger.

A few years ago, I put a quote on a coffee mug that Raveling would have loved: “Only leaders who are tested become great.”

So when life feels heavy and you are being tested, remember George Raveling. Remember what he overcame to make a positive impact on thousands of players and millions of lives.

Your struggles aren’t a punishment; they are preparation.

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