Be good on and off the field, at home and at work and the universe will bring you what you need.

That was the message that two-time Olympic bronze medal winning soccer coach John Herdman gave to a gathering of 330 sponsors, dignitaries and athletes during his keynote speech at the Red Deer College Athletics Scholarship Breakfast on Tuesday morning.

Herdman, the head coach of the Canadian women’s national team, spoke about some of the strategies he used to take a team that was at one point one of the worst in the world and guide them to back to back Olympic bronze medals in the span of a couple of years.

“The complexity that sits under that is in the character side of your life is being able to do all the little things the right way. Not trying to push for excellence every day just keeping that consistency of being good and knowing that that will transfer onto the field,” Herdman said.

“Just keep it simple, be good and that good often leads to greatness.”

Herdman’s talk was the highlight of the annual event, which raises funds for the RDC Athletic Leadership Fund, which goes to support student-athlete scholarships.

The event also saw the presentation of two Scott Builders Student-Athlete Leadership Scholarships to RDC Kings volleyball setter Luke Brisbane and Jordanna Cota of the College’s indoor track and cross-country teams.

“I am very honoured. I think it’s just such a special opportunity. There’s so many other student athletes here that I think could have had this award as well, so to be chosen as the female recipient is just unbelievable,” said Cota, who had a standout cross-country season finishing second in the ACAC and sixth in the CCAA, being named to both the ACAC All-Conference and the CCAA All-Canadian team. She also placed second in the 3,000m for indoor track this season.

Brisbane echoed Cota’s sentiments saying the award was a, “Huge honour.”

“To be recognized not only as an athlete but as a student and a leader as well, is something that I definitely strive for,” said the third-year Bachelor of Commerce student.

Brisbane captained the Kings men’s volleyball team to their second straight CCAA gold medal while also volunteering as a coach and mentor for the Kings Volleyball Club program and as a peer tutor at RDC.

zcormier@reddeerexpress.com