University of Kansas head basketball coach Bill Self has been in the news lately, and the news hasn’t been all positive, but he still showed a lot of class by showing up and speaking at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Steve Davis Luncheon last week at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel.

Self and his Kansas basketball program were issued a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA on Sept. 23. He was personally issued a head coach responsibility charge and his program was hit with multiple Level I allegations. All of this is a part of an FBI investigation of corruption in college basketball, that includes shoe manufacturer Adidas and its representatives.

Self, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, could face the prospect of suspension or dismissal if the allegations against Kansas are found to be true, and upheld by college athletics’ governing body. However, both Self and his university have countered the NCAA with allegations against the governing institution, as well as proof to support the basketball programs innocence. The case is now in the hands of the lawyers involved for both sides.

For Self, it may have been easy to keep his commitment to speak at the FCA event, even in light of the recent news. He’s a former player at OSU, and former head coach at ORU and Tulsa, so being in town for the day was a bit of a homecoming, and he certainly was surrounded by friends and fans who support him.

Self knew that he was speaking to several coaches and athletes in the room, and in his remarks, he mentioned the three things they need to do to have successful programs.

“You need to show up, but be fully present,” Self said. “There are too many distractions. How hard is it even when you talk to your spouse and we can’t even complete a conversation without having to take a call, or something’s going on and we get distracted? How many of you players come to practice with headphones on or not ready to practice? You have to be fully present in the moment. That’s one of our jobs, to show up, to be fully present to work and to grow.”

“Take ownership of what’s going on,” Self said. “Whatever’s happening, own it. I happen to be the basketball coach at a place where I’m never going to be the best coach there; Ted Owens was coach there. The big time is where you are at now. The place you are at now has history and tradition, and it’s your job to be the caretaker of all those that came before you, whether you’re a coach or a player. On top of that, it’s your job to contribute to that and to add to it.”

“Third, we have to provide experiences,” Self said. “Everybody you come in contact with you are providing an experience for them. Whether it’s a coworker, a secretary, a player an assistant coach, or whatever, you’re providing an experience. That experience needs to be fun, that experience needs to energize the situation, and that experience needs to add value.”

Win or lose his court battle with the NCAA, one thing’s for certain, Bill Self is a great coach and a true class act.

IN THE CROWD

Among those attending the FCA Luncheon were former Kansas and ORU head coach Ted Owens, former OSU head coach Eddie Sutton, and former Tulsa head coach John Phillips. There were also many former and current members of the ORU and TU basketball teams.