The projector displayed an intro slide for a presentation entitled, "Tale of the Tape: 44 Years of Lessons Learned". The conference room is filled with Arizona Athletics staff members from just about every department in McKale Center who RSVP'd in record fashion for the Human Resources event. The author of those lessons learned walks up to the front of room and kicks things off.

"Good morning everyone. I want to start things off by thanking all of you for having me. It's an honor to speak to you all."

Arizona Softball head coach Mike Candrea, winner of eight national championships and an Olympic gold medal, begins his talk on five decades of coaching, leadership and development. He does so while speaking to an audience that doesn't include a single head coach or assistant from any of Arizona's athletic programs. The January session is part of the department's Career Development Program for Aspiring Leaders series aimed at employee development and growth.

The program features leaders from Arizona's administrative and coaching ranks, including Director of Athletics Dave Heeke, as well as prominent speakers from outside sports. It's just one of the many new initiatives born out of part of Arizona Athletics' "Wildcat Way" strategic plan, including one that's fittingly named "People: Developing Our Greatest Resource". With a department staff in the hundreds, Arizona Athletics is investing in the holistic and professional development of all staff members.

Candrea's talk is a blend of inspiration, motivation and humility. The man with 1,611 wins at the helm of the Arizona Softball program speaks as much about culture and leadership as he does about being the son of a classically-trained jazz musician whose father attended the prestigious Juilliard School. He connects with a room full of employees from Development, Ticket Sales and Facilities among other departments.

"I focus on three C's as a leader of a program," Candrea notes. "I must be competent, consistent and caring and not just with my players. That's how I am with everyone who touches my program from administration to support staff to the grounds crew who drag the infield."

His talk is shifts from how his philosophy has changed over the years and his poignant words strike a head nod from every person in attendance.

"I love hearing from experienced people, especially those who are as distinguished as Coach Candrea," said Melissa Ascher, who works in the McKale Center Ticket Office as Associate Director of Database and CRM. "As I've learned from this experience, everyone has a different part in athletics with responsibilities that vary. Being a leader is important and as Coach Candrea pointed out, not everyone needs to be a leader. If you're not, then you have to be on the same page and be a "follower" to get to the same goal. This is ultimately what we're all here doing. How he coaches and builds character is such a strong foundation for life that I feel it's something we should all be instituting."

That in lies the beauty of the Friday morning leadership seminar. One of the greatest college coaches, of any sport, is rubbing elbows and sharing his life philosophies with coworkers who have never coached a team in their lives. Arizona Athletics allows opportunities for employees to grow, develop and learn from everyone who dons the Block A, everyone whose on the same team.

Arizona Athletics may have 21 programs, but as a Hall of Fame Softball coach will tell you, it takes a team and everyone who works to support those 21 teams is part of a pretty special team of Wildcats.