Athletes are competitive by nature especially during the prime of their career. However, many reach a point in where they either feel too old, or are told that they are too old for the game. They fall into a sedentary lifestyle as armchair athletes who only feel capable of cheering from the stands.

Mike Chanenchuk, 53 years old, was not one of those players. A former three time Lacrosse All American at the Naval Academy, he was sitting in the stands in July 2009 to watch his son play for the Whitmore Group team (a team that I sponsored) in the championship game of the 2009 Lacrosse Summer League. Only nine players showed up for the game, which wasn’t enough to field the team. Vincent Sombrotto, the player coach for the Whitmore team looked around for what to do. Sombrotto, a 4-time USA team player and national lacrosse hall of fame member who was 50 years old himself, went into the stands and asked Chanenchuk to dress for the game so that his son’s team wouldn’t have to forfeit.

So Sombrotto and Chanenchuk, both in their 50’s, were competing against college players in the prime of their careers. More amazingly, they stayed on the field for the entire game since the team had the minimum number of players and no substitutes were available. Thanks to their willingness to push beyond their limits, the team went on to win the game and the championship.

Interestingly, during the same month that Mike Chanenchuk saved the day for his son’s lacrosse team, 59-year-old Tom Watson tied for first place after 72 holes at the British Open Golf Championship at Turnberry. While he eventually lost in the playoffs, the accomplishment of getting this far was stunning for a 59 year old since the oldest winner of a major golf championship was a full 11 years younger. That player was Julius Boros who won the 1968 PGA championship.

Athletes considered past their “prime” can still play at an elite level if they don’t buy in to perceived limits. Limits are often imposed on players, or the team that they play for, based on generalities – not the specific player. Those that stay in the game and push beyond any limits often prove that there are still glory days ahead of them.

Many businesses fall into the same inertia as athletes. As they become mature businesses, they may buy in to the notion that they can’t be as nimble as smaller or younger competitors. They become stagnant, complacent and sometimes fat. But companies that ignore conventional wisdom, set high goals and continue to innovate may find that age is just a number.

Jim

7 Comments

• 

  By david woycik, December 4, 2009 @ 11:09 am

  id rather have a pizza delivered to the bevch than score a goal!!!!
• 

  By Howard E. Greenberg, December 4, 2009 @ 11:54 am

  James;

  Hope all is well with you and I trust you had a nice thanksgiving.

  I read your article on age and athletic performance and its relationship to business and just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it.

  You know that as we age, we have been able to gain through experience certain skills that were not available to us in our youth.

  I have personally gone through this as my sons grow up; Zachary is now 18, a high school senior at Smithtown East, straight A average, national honor society, quiz bowl participant, cellist, varsity wrestler and track hurdler, black belt with MMA training and even though he is incredibly fit and strong (135 pounds); I can still wrestle with him (in short bursts at least and be competitive) all because of knowledge without regard to age.

  He may be stronger but I know and can anticipate what he is going to do and counter it and of course use my weight advantage.

  My youngest, Evan, is 14 and just as fine as his brother and I can still take him on–but he is tough and it takes all I have just to keep him from really hurting me.

  Anyway, thanks for message; it was inspiring as were the other articles and I loved reading about all of the junior high, high school and college accomplishments. Keep it going and you never know, maybe you will get back on the field again.

  Hope to see you around and be well.

  HEG
• 

  By Wally Walkup, December 7, 2009 @ 6:05 am

  To my old attackman foe,

  Jimmy, you’re right on! Regardless of the sport, regardless of the records and regardless of the score, sports mirrors life. How we react on the field is usually a template how we will react in life. Of course, we can change and improve how we react to adversity as we mature.

  I don’t miss the game as much as I miss the comradeship. The game within the game. The private conversations in the locker room and on the field.

  And I miss going one on one with Hollywood!

  Merry Christmas!

  Wally Walkup
• 

  By Mark R. Boyko, December 7, 2009 @ 8:34 am

  You just struck a pure 4 iron into the cup! I can draw a paralell in what I see on a daily basis. Come world time to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.
  The golf industry has become sort of sedentary in nature, the muscle behind all the hype in creating interest and participation has just atrophied.

  James great blog!

  Mark R. Boyko
  Seven Springs Golf and Country Club
• 

  By Howell Posner, December 12, 2009 @ 12:56 pm

  Jimmy, for further proof of your position consider Dara Torres making her fifth US Olympic Team at age 40 and bagging 3 silver medals in 2008 at Bejing.

  Be well Jimmy!

  Howell
• 

  By mom, December 22, 2009 @ 5:17 pm

  As always Jim I am so impressed with your command of the english language and the profound ability to express yourself so well. You are gifted in so many ways, I am so blessed to have you for my son.

  We are in agreement age is just a number and today I feel great and I feel somewhere around your age.

  Love you, Mom
• 

  By CJM, December 23, 2009 @ 2:43 pm

  As always, well done Jim. If only more folks could apply your philosophy to business and sports. Myself included.

  As an equestrian we only improve with age. It takes time to develop the skill, scope and knowledge to negotiate a serious course.
  Have a super Holiday
  c

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