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Search every verified Gregory Dale interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a 2012 keynote speech at the Legacy Lacrosse Cup, Dr. Gregory Dale, then a professor of sports psychology at Duke University, spoke about character, adversity, and the importance of attitude and effort. He told a story about a young boy in China who survived an earthquake and rescued classmates, and he discussed a Duke basketball player who was told by coaches that his negative body language on the bench was unacceptable. Dale stated that "how you handle adversity... says a lot about your character" and that players have control only over their "attitude and your effort," not over playing time. Dale also described a "no palms up" rule on the Duke men's lacrosse team, which he said prohibits whining to coaches, teammates, or officials. He told the audience that "at the end of the season, only three people will remember your stats" and that teammates will remember "what kind of person you were to be around every day." He encouraged listeners to "live your legacy today like you want it to be at the end of the year" and to view their sport as a place to have fun.
“27 of your classmates gone just like that. There were him and two other kids still trapped in the rubble. This kid found a way and got out after an hour and a half. He goes back in and gets the first guy, then the second guy, risking his own life because he was the hall monitor and it was his job to take care of his cl...”
“How you handle adversity, how you handle it when officials make bad calls says a lot about your character. When things aren't going well for you says a lot about your character.”
“There's a rule at Duke on our men's lacrosse team: no palms up. You never get to do this as a young man on our team because when you do this, you're whining to somebody—your coach, your teammate, or an official. That's a non-negotiable.”
“At the end of the season, only three people will remember your stats: you and your mom and dad. Nobody else really remembers your individual stats. Your teammates will remember what kind of person you were to be around every day.”
“You have no control over your playing time. Coaches have control over your playing time, but you can influence it. The two things you have control over are your attitude and your effort.”
“Michael Jordan, the most talented guy on the planet, worked harder than everybody else. If you're one of the more talented kids on your team and you don't work harder than everybody else, shame on you.”
“Josh Pner, a freshman walk-on for the Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team, played less than a minute a game but was voted the most valuable player on the national championship team because of his attitude and effort.”
“You will have a legacy; it's a matter of what kind of legacy you're going to leave. Write down what you want your teammates and coaches to say about you at the end of the season. Live your legacy today like you want it to be at the end of the year.”
“You need to view your lacrosse as a place to get away from everything else going on in your life. You started doing this because it was fun. Focus on what you control: attitude and effort. Enjoy every win, even if it's an ugly one.”
“Beginning of a new day, you've been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you're exchanging a day in your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. Let it be something good.”
This year's Cup was one of the best yet, due in part to our Key Note Speaker -- Dr. Gregory A. Dale, Professor of Sports ...
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