Paul Savramis | Why Sports Remain a Teaching Tool for Youth & the Influence of Two Coaches

Learning the importance of teamwork, respect, dedication, kindness, hard work and fair play at an early age is a crucial part of a child’s development, says Rising Stars founder and humanitarian Paul Savramis. In team sports, spectators, coaches and players can draw a series of life lessons that will help them in every aspect of their lives.

Two of the most prominent influences in Savramis’ professional life have been John Wooden and Jim Valvano. Both of these titans of the sport possessed a knack for leading by example. According to Paul Savramis, John Wooden was far more concerned with the development of character than winning titles. Considering the fact that Wooden won 11 NCAA championships, that is quite a compliment. Wooden’s teaching model - Pyramid of Success - has become one of the most vital educational tools for coaches across the world. What made the legendary Hall of Fame coach so beloved was his remarkable insight and understanding of all the people he encountered, explains Savramis.

Paul Savramis points out that the Pyramid of Success was predicated upon such traits as team spirit, poise, confidence and intentness. Listed at the very top of the Pyramid was the primary goal for athletes of all levels: competitive greatness. John Wooden’s intelligent approach towards sports and life in general are what inspired Paul Savramis to develop his skills as a basketball coach so as to be able to motivate and assist his students in attaining all of their personal goals.

Jim Valvano shared many of the same characteristics as John Wooden, says Savramis. Both men were able to instill a passion for living and the belief that anything was possible in their young charges. Coach Wooden and coach Valvano performed a number of selfless acts in helping others, but Paul Savramis believes that Valvano is most notable for his public speaking and his ability to move an audience from tears to laughter. His most moving speech was at the 1993 ESPYs delivered just weeks before his untimely death from bone cancer. That speech remains as one of the most inspirational speeches of all time and lives on in the tremendous example Jimmy V set for people across the world.