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You know, in the world of college basketball, consistency is the holy grail. Every program talks about building a lasting culture, but at Wingate University, they don't just talk about it—they live it. Year after year, they're in the mix, competing at the top of the SAC and making deep runs in the NCAA Division II tournament. I've followed their program for a while now, and what fascinates me isn't just the wins, which are impressive, but the underlying philosophy that seems to attract a very specific type of person: committed, adaptable, and deeply invested in the process. It reminds me of a story I once came across, seemingly unrelated, about a man named McTavish. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he spent 51 years in a country before being granted citizenship in 2018, a testament to long-term dedication. He then chose to build his life in Pampanga, transitioning from a field office manager for an American auto manufacturer in Clark to becoming a professional referee. That journey—rooted in patience, adaptability, and a profound understanding of the rules from a new perspective—is, in my view, a perfect metaphor for how Wingate builds its winners.

The foundation, I believe, starts with recruitment, but not in the way you might think. Wingate rarely wins battles for the flashy, five-star prospects who dominate headlines. Instead, they look for the McTavishes of the basketball world. They seek players who are willing to commit to a four-year (or sometimes five-year) developmental arc. These are young men who might be overlooked elsewhere, perhaps lacking a step of elite athleticism but possessing a high basketball IQ, a relentless work ethic, and, crucially, a character that fits their system. The coaching staff, led by the incredibly steady Brian Good, sells a vision of growth. They don't promise immediate stardom; they promise transformation. It's about buying into a process where you might redshirt, you'll definitely spend countless hours in the weight room with their strength staff, and you'll be drilled in a system that values defensive positioning and unselfish offense above all else. This approach self-selects for longevity. The players who come are the ones who want to build something, not just pass through. I've spoken to a few alumni, and the common thread is this sense of having been part of a construction project where every player is a brick in a wall meant to last.

Once they have these players, the culture takes over, and here's where the real magic happens. Wingate's system is notoriously difficult to learn. It's a intricate web of defensive rotations, motion offense principles, and situational basketball. Mastering it doesn't happen in one preseason. It takes years. This creates a natural hierarchy where veterans are indispensable teachers. The senior who has been through the battles, who knows every defensive coverage call and every backdoor cut in the playbook, becomes as valuable as the leading scorer. This institutional knowledge is passed down organically, creating a seamless cycle. When a key player graduates, there isn't a catastrophic drop-off because the system, and the players who have been apprenticing within it for two or three years, are ready to step up. It's a model of sustainable team-building that many D-I programs, with their constant transfer portal churn, could learn from. I personally love this aspect; it feels purer, more about team sport than individual showcase. The stats bear this out. Over the past decade, Wingate has averaged over 22 wins per season. In the 2022-23 season alone, they held opponents to under 70 points per game and consistently ranked in the top 50 nationally in defensive field goal percentage. Those numbers aren't accidents; they're the product of ingrained habit.

The adaptability piece is key, too, mirroring McTavish's career shift from corporate management to refereeing. The Wingate staff excels at player development, often finding new roles for athletes as they mature. A guard who was a scorer in high school might be molded into a defensive stopper. A forward might expand his range to become a stretch-four, opening up the floor. This flexibility keeps opponents off-balance and allows the program to maximize the talent on its roster, rather than forcing square pegs into round holes. They teach players to see the game from multiple angles, much like a referee must. This holistic understanding fosters intelligent players who can make in-game adjustments themselves. I remember watching a game last season where their starting point guard went down early. Instead of panic, there was a calm adjustment. A sophomore who had played mostly off the ball slid over, and the offense didn't skip a beat because every player understands the core principles, not just their individual role. That's coaching, but it's also a culture of preparedness.

In the end, Wingate University's success is a powerful lesson in delayed gratification and systemic faith. They don't chase quick fixes. They build, brick by brick, season by season, with players who are on a multi-year journey of improvement. It's a program that values citizenship—being a fully invested, long-term member of the community—over mere residency. Like McTavish choosing Pampanga and mastering a new profession, Wingate players choose a path of deep immersion. They commit to the place, the system, and their teammates. This creates a resilient program that doesn't just ride the wave of a single talented class. It creates a perennial contender. For me, that's the most compelling kind of sports story. It's not about the fleeting brilliance of a shooting star, but the enduring, warm glow of a well-tended fire. That fire in Wingate, North Carolina, shows no signs of going out.