Fabry Chris - The winners manual: for the game of life

What Other Winners Have to Say...

The accumulation of quotes and stories that the Winners Manual provides has been the rudder guiding my life.

Bobby Carpenter, former OSU linebacker, now playing for the Dallas Cowboys

The Winners Manual was where I would go every morning to reflect on the gifts I had been given and to share a common bond with my teammates.

A. J. Hawk, former OSU All-American linebacker, now playing for the Green Bay Packers

At both Cincinnati and Michigan State, the Winners Manual has allowed our teams to focus successfully on the intangible fundamentals that are so critical to a young mans life on and off the field. In essence, it has given us the ability to harness the human spirit!

Mark Dantonio, head football coach, Michigan State University

Being able to apply lessons from the Winners Manual to practices and games gave us a great advantage. My teammate Bobby Carpenter was a walking, talking winners manual!

Mike Nugent, former OSU kicker and 2004 MVP, now playing for the New York Jets

The Winners Manual was a great reference for me. When I was having trouble on the field, or doubted myself in the classroom, I could refer to it for well-needed guidance.

Donte Whitner, former OSU safety, now playing for the Buffalo Bills

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The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life

Copyright 2008 by Jim Tressel. All rights reserved.

Front cover photo copyright Paul Sakuma/AP Images. All rights reserved.

Interior photos used as part openers copyright by Connie Tressel. All rights reserved.

Photo Insert

Photo of a young Jim Tressel is from the Tressel family collection and is used by permission. Photo of Tressel family copyright by Baldwin-Wallace College. All rights reserved.

Photos of Lee and Eloise Tressel copyright by Baldwin-Wallace College. All rights reserved.

Youngstown State University photos copyright by Youngstown State University. All rights reserved.

Photo of Ohio State University vs. Northwestern game and photo of Ohio State University vs. Michigan State game copyright by Connie Tressel. All rights reserved.

Photo of Troy Smith and Jim Tressel copyright by Connie Tressel. All rights reserved.

Photo of team at the 50 yard line copyright by Connie Tressel. All rights reserved.

Designed by Jacqueline L. Nuez

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible , New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked TEV are taken from the Holy Bible, Todays English Version. Copyright 1966, 1971, 1976 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tressel, Jim.

The winners manual : for the game of life / Jim Tressel with Chris Fabry.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-4143-2569-9 (hc) ISBN 978-1-4143-2570-5 (sc)

1. SuccessPsychological aspects. I. Fabry, Chris, date. II. Title.

BF637.S8T67 2008

650.1dc22 2008021255

Build: 2013-04-19 13:59:08

This book is dedicated to all the difference makers in my life. Of course, my mom and dad, Eloise and Lee Tressel, whom I miss every day. My wonderful wife and friend, Ellen Jeanne, who has unselfishly partnered with me to serve others. And my biggest fans and supporters, Zak, Carlee, Eric, and Whitney. You are the best, and I am so proud of you. I was blessed to have two awesome older brothers, Dick and Dave. Thank you all. I love you!

Foreword by John Maxwell

When Coach Jim Tressel asked me to write the foreword for The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life , I was honored. Having grown up in Ohio, I am keenly aware of the impact of Ohio State football and the positive influence that the Buckeyes coach can have throughout the state and the nation. Recommending this book allows me to introduce Jim Tressel and his coaching and teaching philosophy to some people who might not yet have had the opportunity to get to know him.

Over the years, I have had the good fortune to interact with Coach Tressel and the Buckeyes on numerous occasions. I am proud to say that they have used some of my materials in their pursuit of excellence, and I have had the opportunity to speak to his teams during the 2004, 2006, and 2007 seasons. I have also had the privilege of reading the team version of the Winners Manual that Coach Tressel has developed over the past twenty-two years with his teamsthe foundation for the book youre now reading. One of my own books, Talent Is Never Enough, was inspired by a page in the teams manual that describes qualities that do not take talent but are essential to the ultimate success of a group.

In the time Ive spent with the Buckeyes, it has become obvious to me that the coaching staff has a plan for the development of the whole person, the complete student-athlete. I have been with them in the meeting room, the locker room, and on the sideline. The Buckeyes are focused, competitive, caring, loving, tough, and classy. They have a passion to be winners! The young men who play football for Ohio State have a healthy perspective about themselves, which allows them to express their abilities in a highly competitive world, both on and off the field. They truly seek to reach their full potential.

Each chapter in The Winners Manual will illustrate a different fundamental that Coach Tressel has identified as essential for winners. You will study the fundamentals through a combination of quotes and anecdotes, culminating in a personal game plan that will help you apply the fundamentals to all phases of your life. No matter what position you play in life, these fundamentals will serve as great training for your contribution to whatever team youre on.

My professional goal is to add value to peoples lives every day. Coach Tressel shares the same passion. If you work through the principles in this book and implement them, you will benefit from The Winners Manual and have value added to your life that you will certainly want to pass on to others.

Acknowledgments

Thank you, first and foremost, to all of the men, women, and families of our United States military, past and present. Their unselfish service and sacrifice have allowed us the freedom to safely chase our dreams in this wonderful country and to seek to be winners in the game of life.

Thank you to all the coaches, players, and dear friends who have shared their lives with me for so many years. I have been so blessed to work with you and grow from your loving examples.

Thank you to Joe Malmisur, Andy Geiger, and Gene Smith, extraordinary athletic directors who have given me a chance to serve. To Mark Summers, who has been there for me, on and off the field, since we played together at B-W. And to Doc Spurgeon, who has taught so many people that love makes the difference if you truly want to serve.