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Terry gained his fame by playing as the "hole" man, a position just two meters from the opponent's goal, similar to the role of the center on a basketball team. This tough position requires a player who is equally tough, extremely determined, and very focused, as Terry understands better than anyone else does.

"Someone once said that the ideal two-meter man has to be able to get hit on the head with a two-by-four and not show emotion. There are no limits on the number of fouls in a water polo match. The "hole" man has been known to be fouled more than 100 times in a game. Imagine being hacked by Shaquille O'Neal 100 times in a game. In spite of the fouls, I have to stay focused on the game and never show a negative reaction."

"Staying focused applies to the way I go about my everyday life. Staying focused is one of the reasons that Olympic sports are such a fine metaphor for living. Staying focused and in control of our emotions can make all the difference in the world between success and failure."

Terry's focus helped him achieve great success, and buoyed him to the position of captain for the U.S. water polo team. As captain, Terry honed his leadership skills and learned how to keep himself, and his team, focused on the goal.

"I learned that the best kind of leadership comes from 'the quiet man,' the one who leads by example. I always tried to be the first one in the water for practice -- to work harder than anyone else. In the heat of battle, I realized it was better for me to take the heat for something that went wrong. It helped to keep the team motivated and focused."

Terry's leadership and focus resulted in three Olympic medals for the U.S. water polo team. This focused, quiet man became a champion in life.

The Olympic Spirit in YOU!
Terry Schroeder became an exceptional Olympian because he remained focused on winning an Olympic medal, and, as a leader, he committed to overcoming obstacles and achieving success for his team. Do you have obstacles that keep you from doing something you enjoy?

• List some things that you consider to be your obstacles.
• Take one obstacle at a time and list ways that you can approach and overcome the obstacle.
• Using your list, make a plan that will help you overcome the obstacle.

More Athletes

Ann Meyers Drysdale Bart Conner Billy Mills Baron Pierre de Coubertin Gail Devers Greg Barton Henry Marsh John Naber

Karch Kiraly Mary Lou Retton Matt Ghaffari Milt Campbell Nadia Comaneci Nancy Hogshead Paul Gonzales Terry Schroeder

For more great stories about Olympians, ask your librarian for books about Olympic spirit, including Awaken the Olympian Within complied by John Naber, and The Olympic Dream and Spirit, Vol. 1, 2, and 3, with Bob Schaller.