Sports PR| Injuries Don’t Stop Triangle Teams

Hurricanes, Colleges Get Wins Even Without Key Players

“No man is an island,” said philosopher John Donne. Had Donne been born a couple of centuries later, he probably would have enjoyed watching legendary basketball coach Dean Smith’s Four Corners scheme at UNC. But Triangle sports teams have been plagued with worrisome injuries as of late, and missing those key players is critical.

Judging by actual performances, however, things are looking up. There’s a public relations lesson to take from this.

The Carolina Hurricanes are missing a slew of skaters, most notably winger Justin Williams, a valuable goal producer who is out for four to six months. Both UNC and N.C. State’s football squads have struggled with gaping personnel holes, from quarterbacks T.J. Yates and Russell Wilson (respectively) to Heisman hopeful Brandon Tate, whose Tar Heel career ends today with news of a ligament tear. Even Dean Smith’s old team, the Roy Williams-led UNC basketball Tar Heels, is dealing with an injured Marcus Ginyard, and they don’t even take the court until November.

Fret not, Triangle fans. The whole is more than the sum of its parts. (Aristotle this time.)

• The ‘Canes are 2-0 going into tonight’s matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, and a balanced offensive streak led by Eric Staal has local hockey fans breathing a sigh of relief.
• UNC’s football team is 5-1 after quarterback Cam Sexton led the Tar Heels to a win over Notre Dame on Saturday. The team still boasts a deep receiving corps to fill Tate’s role.
• N.C. State will rely on its coaching strength and performance in the clutch against teams like East Carolina when the Wolfpack take on Florida State in a nationally-televised Thursday night game.
• As for UNC’s basketball team? Ginyard’s backup is Danny Green, arguably the best sixth man in the nation.

The problem with some attention-grabbing headlines is that they are allowed to dictate public opinion with a broad brush. It’s easier to lose confidence than it is to gain it, but there’s certainly room for optimism. (For example, many financial analysts now are saying to gobble up undervalued stocks left reeling after last week’s massive selloffs while they are at a premium.)

Don’t let a troublesome part drive the discussion about your company or team. Rather, keep the focus on the results of the whole. The philosophers were right, even if they couldn’t tell you what a spread offense is.

Does your company have public relations needs in Raleigh?  In North Carolina?  Visit the MMI Associates Web site for more information.  Any questions?  Leave us a comment or give me, Patty, a call at 919-233-6600.