Ironically, the sports blog you're about to read was originally set to run last Sunday. What makes it ironic is that it focuses on a message delivered by a coach to his athletes.

 

The blog was bumped back a week because of the spontaneous message and actions by Bridgeport High School football Coach Josh Nicewarner following the Indians' recent 22-21 loss in the Class AA semifinals to Fairmont Senior.

 

What really makes it ironic is that the blog you're about to read partially centered on a message last year to a team that came up just short of winning what would have been a third straight state title. The rest of the blog centered on the message that followed by this coach when his team found redemption and won a state title.

 

In both cases with this coach, his words showed - in the same manner that Nicewarner displayed - how you handle yourself in victory and defeat is as important as the result itself.

 

With that in mind, it was in the early winter months of 2015 when I was told by a handful of parents, and even an athlete or two, about a speech Bridgeport Cross Country Coach Jon Griffith delivered to his team – in particular the boys team – after finishing second in that season’s Class AA-A state meet at Cabell Midland High School.

 

In that meet, the Indians weren’t just favored to win. They were favored to roll to victory as they had not lost a meet all year and, in most situations, the results weren’t all that close.

 

Instead, the Indians lost by practically the slimmest of margins – two points – to Berkeley Springs. Griffith, who probably wasn’t preparing to give a consolation speech, had to do so nonetheless. In the midst of heartbreak for his athletes and his team, Griffith had the pulpit to himself and had a choice to deliver whatever message he could.

 

The message, as I wrote about last November and can be found by clicking HERE, was powerful. It was a message of how sports shaped you and how you decided to react to success and failure molded you. There were no excuses and no pity offered. Instead, there was a message and a challenge that apparently reverberated with those returning this year.

 

As we know by now, the Indians won their third title in four years. This time, however, his best speech wasn’t delivered after the meet. Instead, it came a little more than a week ago – Nov. 17 to be exact – at the Cross Country team’s year-end banquet.

 

Apparently, ad-libbing a speech in defeat isn’t the only thing Griffith is good at. With plenty of time to pull his thoughts together and actually write them down, Griffith delivered another powerful message about what it all means again.

 

The message was commanding of attention not only because it was on point, but because it wasn’t boastful. It wasn’t about dominating the foe. It was, once again, about life and how hard work pays off.

 

Jon Griffith showed how a coach should be in victory and defeat. Bridgeport coaches are good at that and it permeates through so many sporting venues. He showed honor, humility, understanding and compassion in both situations to all his student-athletes in every sport he’s involved with. That, in the end, is the bigger picture. You also would have heard the same tone I'm told in speeches given by assistant coaches Nathaniel and Gina Lutyens.

 

“I never sat down and wrote out a speech before and this was the first time I did that. I usually just wing it like I did (in 2015),” said Griffith. “ … Honestly, the message I gave this year, last year and pretty much every year revolves around the same thing.

 

“We’re tasked as coaches that the things we teach in athletics, whether it’s cross country or track with me, that there are life lessons in all aspects to be gained and not just in sports,” he continued. “There are values and the same principals of hard work, dedication and persistence that are so critical to becoming successful in all phases of your life. That’s the message I’ll always try to deliver.”

 

Perhaps that message is a big reason why the cross country and track programs are enjoying unparalleled success. You’ll read about that success here on Connect-Bridgeport over and over. What you won’t read here or hear elsewhere, is Griffith, who once gave speeches while coaching Josh Nicewarner on his track squad, crowing about it.

 

I encourage you to first read the story above. I then encourage you to read what Griffith had to say this year by clicking HERE.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Jon Griffith being interviewed after this year's state title win, while Jimmy Lacaria and Mark Duez are shown after being the top two finishers for the Indians. Coleton Marsh is shown in the bottom photo during the home stretch.