Bill Belichick has been called the brains behind the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, the man who constantly preaches to the team about teamwork. On Sunday, May 2nd the National Football League's top coach will give New England Tech graduates some pointers on success and teamwork when he delivers this year's commencement address.
It's been just a few short months since Belichick hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy above his head in celebration of Super Bowl success. It was a hard won, heart- stopping game and the second Super Bowl win in three years for the New England Patriots. The coach credited with leading the Patriots to Super Bowl victory for the first time in franchise history, then back again for a repeat win this year, says success on the football field and in life comes down to just one thing. Preparation. "There are no shortcuts to being successful," says Belichick. "In the end, it's being prepared and doing everything you can do competitively to win."
Having a team that puts working together ahead of individual success doesn't hurt either, and teamwork, according to Belichick, can be as powerful in business and in life as it is on the ten-yard line. "Any time you have a group of people committed to the same goal, that's very powerful," says Belichick. "There are certain things you can do individually, but so many things take a coordinated effort. If you can find a way for people to align their goals, find a way where everybody's winning, then there's incentive for everyone to pull together."
Belichick has been known to use songs, books and videos to motivate his players to pull together. He says the ultimate success comes in reaching your potential. "The most important thing is being self motivated and self starting. It has to come from within."
Some people live for football. Belichick has lived a life filled with it. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1952 and raised in Annapolis, Maryland. His father played fullback for the Detroit Lions, then coached at the U.S. Naval Academy for 33 years. "I admired his passion for the game and also his work ethic," says Belichick. Growing up around football greats also had an influence. Belichick's childhood heroes were Joe Bellino and Roger Staubach, both Heisman trophy winners at the Naval Academy. "I looked up to and admired them not only for their playing ability and work ethic, but for the unselfish nature of their play," Belichick says.
That unselfish playing style, the cornerstone to teamwork, is a quality Belichick seeks out in his Patriots. It's no coincidence that the New England Patriots star players deflect the spotlight when they are interviewed and credit their teammates and coaches for success. "That's the way they are. The way they think," says Belichick. "Those are the qualities we look for when we bring them into the organization."
Belichick was a standout athlete in high school and college. He's been inducted into Annapolis High School's Hall of Fame. He lettered in football, lacrosse and squash while attending Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. He earned three letters in football, competing at two positions, center and tight end, and was named captain of his lacrosse team.
Belichick earned a bachelor's degree in economics, and considered several career options, but by his senior year of college he knew he wanted to coach. At the age of 23 he got his chance and was named special assistant to the head coach of the Baltimore Colts.
Bill Belichick is now entering his 30th season as an NFL coach. He's worked with Detroit, Denver, the New York Giants, Cleveland, the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. He built a reputation as one of the league's premier defensive coaches, and at the age of 38 became the youngest head coach in the league when he took the helm with the Cleveland Browns in 1991. In 1996 Belichick joined New England as an Assistant Head Coach and was a key contributor to the team's first division title in 10 years. He returned to the New England Patriots as head coach in 2000, following three seasons with the New York Jets.
During his career, Belichick has contributed to 13 playoff teams, including nine division champions, five conference champions and four Super Bowl champions. What gives him the greatest pride? "Being part of four Super Bowl championships certainly," says Belichick, "but having three children, watching them grow and be successful, that's been good, too."
Belichick urges New England Tech graduates to find jobs they're really interested in and love to do. He says it's important to spend quality time with your career and with your family, but to also make time for friends. "At this point in your life you have a chance to create a lot of relationships and make lots of long-term friends. Commit time to those relationships. As you get older, those will be some of the best relationships you'll ever have."
Bill Belichick will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters at New England Institute of Technology's 63rd commencement ceremony. Graduation exercises will begin at 11 a.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence.

Community Leader Deborah A. Smith to be honored at Commencement

On Sunday, May 2, 2004 New England Institute of Technology will honor a woman who has earned the respect of political, business and religious leaders for her many years of professional and personal service to her community. Deborah A. Smith will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree during this year's commencement.
Smith currently serves as a key advisor to Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri, working as Director of External Affairs in his administration. She draws on decades of experience in community service. Smith spent much of her career working in the banking industry with a focus on community affairs. She was instrumental in developing community outreach programs, spearheading affirmative action and implementing highly successful job training for workers lacking traditional skills.
"Deb Smith has a tremendous talent for bringing people together and helping them work through their differences to achieve the common good," said Richard I. Gouse, President of New England Tech. "She is dedicated, smart, practical and has the ability to motivate others. It is a privilege to recognize her achievements."
Smith taught elementary school in Chicago where she helped students learn how to succeed in the classroom and in the world by listening to and understanding others. She applied her own lessons as she built a career in corporate community affairs. She sought out positions on powerful community advisory boards and worked to make a difference. She defines success not in what she's done or even who has been helped, but in the relationships she's formed.
"I love people, I just love people," Smith says. "I find there are so many levels that we can connect with people on and what we discover is we have more in common than differences. Just by being who you are you can have an impact on the lives of others."

Smith has served on state boards and committees overseeing higher education, human services and criminal justice. She's tackled issues ranging from homelessness to health care. She's represented Rhode Island at national Catholic conferences and taken time to teach religious education classes to children in Wickford. She says a deep and abiding faith guides her work.
"I believe that each and every one of us is sent here with a plan in mind. My goal is to fulfill that purpose and the plan that God has sent me here for."
As New England Tech graduates begin new careers, Smith urges them to take some time for themselves. "Spend some time getting to know who you are and being comfortable in your own skin," she says. "When we know ourselves, we don't allow people to dictate our behavior. We become better listeners because we're not on the defensive and in our listening we have the ability to hear what the other person is saying, to understand their motives."
She also encourages an active role in the community. "We're all interconnected to each other. We just can't live an isolated life," Smith says. "Where we have children we have a responsibility to teach them to be good citizens, we have to teach them about giving back."
Although Smith has received many awards in recognition of her work, New England Institute of Technology is pleased to present her first honorary degree.