Coach,

The Texas Way isn’t just a set of resources — it’s a way of life for your athletes, coaches, and community. This month, we’re focusing on a simple but powerful truth:bad sportsmanship shows up when there’s a gap between expectation and reality.

We’ve all been there. You expect to win, but by halftime you’re down. You expect a call to go your way, but the ref sees it differently. In those moments, expectation and reality collide — and you have a choice. Do you cling to your unmet expectations and invite bad sportsmanship? Or do you embrace reality and keep playing The Texas Way?

Playing, coaching, and supporting The Texas Way means refusing to get stuck in what “should have been.” Instead, we act on what is — and choose attitudes and actions that move our teams forward.

Here are three practical ways to install this month’s emphasis:

1. Play the Video & Print the Poster

Think of the October emphasis like a new play in your playbook — it won’t matter until you install it. Make time with your athletes to watch the video and work through the discussion guide. Slow down. Ask the tough questions. Align your team around what it really looks like to Play The Texas Way.

And then make it visible. Print the poster and have every player and coach sign it. That signature isn’t just ink on paper — it’s a commitment to live out The Texas Wayevery time they compete.

2. Talk to Coaches, Players & Fans

Culture is built in conversations. Keep talking with your coaches — especially your younger ones — about how to interact with officials. Model it, teach it, and remind them how much it matters. Do the same with your players. Equip them with the words and the confidence to rise above unmet expectations when the pressure is high.

And don’t forget your fans. Parents and supporters help set the tone. Share the October emphasis on SportsYou, social, or wherever your community connects. When coaches, athletes, and fans all pull in the same direction, The Texas Way becomes the standard.

3. Promote the Program & Tell Your Story

Don’t keep this to yourself. The work you’re doing is worth celebrating. Share the impact of The Texas Way with your administration and School Board. Post about it. Tell the stories of athletes and coaches who are living it out.

This isn’t just about reducing ejections or improving sportsmanship — it’s about shaping young men and women of character through education-based athletics. That’s a story your community needs to hear.

Final Thoughts

Coach, every conversation, every signed poster, every story told is another brick in the foundation of The Texas Way. Keep installing. Keep equipping. Keep telling the story. The impact you’re making will last far longer than a season.

If I can support you or your district, or if you want to share your story, email me at Mackey@2Words.tv.