Mark was fortunate to spend a few years with Jackie Joyner-Kersee and learn from one of the best athletes of all time. Dr. Kovacs is on the Board of Directors for “Athletes For A Better World” which uses sports to develop character, teamwork and citizenship through commitment to an athletic Code of Living. For more than 20 years the Athletes For A Better World organization has run the John Wooden Citizenship Cup & the Vince Dooley Awards. Prior recipients of the John Wooden Citizenship Cup include Drew Brees, Jack Nicklaus, Mia Hamm, John Smoltz, Peyton Manning among others. This year’s John Wooden Citizenship Cup was held at the Collegiate Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta (April 28th, 2022) and the professional category recipient was Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Jackie Joyner-Kersee is one of the greatest athletes of all time in track and field with multiple gold medals. Her post track career has involved philanthropic efforts including creating the JJK Foundation and the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center in her home town of East St.Louis, Illinois. Other Board members include executives at United Way, PGA Tour Championships, IBM, Merril Lynch, Workday & Weather Channel.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee won three gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals in those two events at four different Olympic Games. Sports Illustrated for Women magazine voted Joyner-Kersee the Greatest Female Athlete of All-Time. Below are some of her core values and what makes her so special. We can all learn a lot from the information below.
- Confidence
Having confidence in our ability to do something increases our motivation to do it.
- Courage
Standing up for what you believe in, even if you stand alone.
- Risk Taking
Learning to navigate, manage, and assess risk so you can choose to take risks in a beneficial way.
- Critical Thinking
Remaining unbiased and open to all the facts, angles, and sides to an argument or situation.
- Determination and Grit
Having the resolve to carry out a task and the ability to get back up and move on after a setback.
- Desire
Having a strong feeling, wanting, or wishing for something, and choosing positive things as the focus of your desire.
- Dedication
Having the devotion or commitment to a purpose or task, and matching that passion to a cause that is bigger than yourself.
- Commitment and Hard Work
Sticking with something, even though it might not be fun or easy.
- Goals
Setting and maintaining goals to lead to achievement in every area of life.
- Passion
Learning how to fuel your passion in a way that enhances others, your community and beyond.
- Self-Respect
Demonstrating a sense of pride in yourself which leads to reducing risky behavior.
- Service
Learning the importance of giving back by serving each other, your school, or the community.
- Values
Developing values including personal ethics, spiritual or religious, political, social and aesthetic.
- Wellness
Understanding how proper nutrition, hydration, regular physical activity, positive thinking and adequate sleep enhances wellbeing.
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