A letter from Garrett Stutz: What I wish I knew at the start of Wichita State career
Editor’s note: Below is a letter submitted to The Eagle by former Shockers standout Garrett Stutz, who is back in Wichita, which he calls his “second home,” for his quarantine in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The 30-year-old reflected on his Wichita State career, which spanned from 2008-12, and offered advice to the college athletes of today’s generation.
When hearing about the record number of transfers in college basketball this spring, I can’t help but wonder, ‘Why?’ Is it the kids? The coaches? This age of technology? Or outside uncontrollable factors?
It is very difficult to enter the recruiting process as a 16-to-18-year-old kid and expect to make a decision that will directly impact your life for your entire college career and indirectly affect the rest of your life. I could write another article entirely about my recruiting process and what kids need to be aware of as they go through the same process.
This letter is meant to be my advice to a new athlete their first day on campus. The foundation of this letter can be adapted to any college and any sport. In light of all of the transfers the Shockers had this spring and the fact that I’m an alumni, I decided to make this specific for the incoming men’s basketball players at Wichita State.
To have been a college athlete was a great blessing that I am thankful to have experienced. I enjoyed my college career and maybe knowing these things at the start would have made my life a little easier and allowed me to enjoy my college experience even more.
Here are the things I wish I knew at the start of my career:
It’s not about me
There are so many components that make up a successful organization and you are just one piece. Each and every person that makes up that organization is important. As soon as you get the idea that your position is more important that someone else, then you have started feeding your ego for your own desires. When everyone is focused on their own desires, you lose the common goal of the organization.
Expectations
Be ready to be pushed physically and mentally harder than you can imagine. There are going to be long days when you can barely lift your hand to get the shampoo on top of your head. Days where mentally you will want to give in. When you start to struggle you will brainstorm 1,000 reasons to stop, but you only need one reason to keep going: You don’t want to fail.
You will go through shooting slumps, you will make bad reads, and you will make mistakes, but the only time you truly fail is when you quit. Everything other than that is an opportunity to learn, find solutions, overcome adversity and better yourself.
Coaches
Coaches are there to coach on and off the court, and Coach Marshall is one of the best coaches in the country at separating on and off the court. There were many times he would yell and ride me through a three-hour practice, but the second it was over, he would pull me aside and say, ‘I can see you’re struggling. Come over for dinner and spend time with the family tonight.’ We have spent hours together never talking about basketball.
As far as on-the-court coaching goes, you’re going to get broken down at first. Every player goes through this, no matter how talented you are or how hard you work. The coaches are going to break you down with good reason: You are young, you don’t know everything and it’s not about you.
There will come a point where you have to decide if you can’t take it anymore and transfer or quit. Or you can look at yourself in the mirror and decide to overcome the constant breaking down and rise up to earn the respect of the coaches and your teammates. When this happens, the coaches no longer are pushing against you. Instead, they are holding you up, pushing you higher and further than you could go on your own.
At times it might not seem like it, but every coach wants to see their players succeed. When the coaches get on you, it is for your benefit. You are not always going to agree with the methods the coaches use to push you, but I promise that if you fight through it, you will become a better player, a better teammate and a better person. One key piece of advice is to listen to what the coaches are telling you, not how they are telling you.
The teammates
The opportunity to develop a bond with your college teammates is something you will not experience again in your life. You will see them for hours every day for multiple years. Your teammates are in the same season of life, going through the same trials and discovering the same things you are.
The highs and lows you experience in a few short years can amplify the brotherhood you share. If you get to the pro level, the locker room has a completely different feel. There are a lot more dynamics at play when you are older and playing professionally.
Don’t let your relationships be only about basketball. Learn more about your teammates off the court than on. After graduation, you may be spread out all over the world. So build a relationship strong enough that forces you to stay in touch throughout the years, no matter how far away you are. I admittedly have been terrible about keeping in touch over the years.
Fans
Appreciate the fans. Most Shocker fans are extremely loyal. Every fan will have their opinion and you will never be as good or as bad as they say you are. One thing is for sure though, every game you will have 10,000 fans screaming their heads off hoping for the best for the team. Make the extra time to connect with the fans through a little conversation, taking pictures or letting your personality show.
Leadership
This is the most underrated skill a person can develop. Leadership is also the hardest attribute to acquire. Even when you do earn the outward label of being a leader, it’s an internal struggle of striving for, but never arriving at, being a complete leader.
Accountability and conflict are unavoidable when being an effective leader. Hold yourself accountable before you hold your teammates accountable. Take the blame before you pass it on someone else. Reach the point where you think, ‘What could I have done to help my teammates avoid making their mistakes?’ Getting in the mindset of accepting blame is one of the highest honors a leader can take upon himself.
Players would rather be corrected by teammates than yelled at by coaches or, even worse, booed by fans. Conflict with the right intentions can be very good. Whether you are holding someone accountable or being held accountable, conflict is likely to happen. Do not shy away from it, but embrace it. You cannot sharpen a sword without friction. Conflict with ill intentions is like cutting yourself with the same sword you’re trying to sharpen.
Better the community
You have been given an amazing platform; don’t waste it. Stand up for the causes you believe in, whether you are passionate about faith, religion, rights or protesting wrong-doings. Use this platform to make an impact and further your cause.
People will recognize you everywhere around town. Even if you have had a terrible day or game, be friendly and personable every time someone approaches you. Try to never have a bad interaction with someone in the community. When at events, don’t alienate yourself. Go out of your way to make someone’s day. You have no idea how one positive comment or something small, like remembering someone’s name, can have such a big impact on a child or person.
Pay it forward
This is a brotherhood, something special that very few people get to be a part of. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the players before you. Reach out to the players that will follow behind you. You will learn an immense amount of knowledge during your career, so share it with others. You never know the degree to which you can help or impact someone.
Being an athlete in college can be an amazing experience. The skills you learn and the personal growth you can achieve will help enhance you as an individual. The relationships that can be forged with teammates, coaches and fans can be a blessing and life-altering. Do not waste the opportunity you have been given. Enjoy every second of it.
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