Summum Bonum
(Highest Good)
The Summum Bonum, or "highest good," is the ultimate concept of success within an organization. The Summum Bonum transcends monetary gain, awards won and promotions earned. In football, the concept transcends championships, conference and national awards, scholarships and draft positions. The Summum Bonum is a human goal, that must concern something larger than one's self.
My Summum Bonum is that every athlete who plays for me leaves our program a better human being than they were when they came to us. This goal doesn't weigh one area of excellence against another and it doesn't subordinate academics or social responsibility to football ability. My Summum Bonum insists that my guys leave our program as the highest quality people possible. This is a transcendent goal, one befitting the concept. The linked essay below explores the concept in greater detail.