See a Little, See a Lot.

The first time I encountered the quote was during a heartfelt parents meeting in 2023, led by Andrew DiDonato, the Head Football Coach at Grove City College. It was a significant moment for me as my son, Dallas, was embarking on his journey as a freshman in the program, and the words offered a warm sense of reassurance, connection, and inspiration.

“See a little, see a lot.  See a lot, see nothing.”

– Andrew DiDonato

Coach DiDonato expressed his deep admiration for Coach Nick Saban, acknowledging the heartfelt impact Saban has had on him. He attributed the insightful quote to Saban, recognizing him as a significant source of guidance. The full quote from Coach Saban is the following:

“See a little, see a lot.  See a lot, see nothing. That’s discipline and eye control in how you play football…When you see a lot you don’t see anything and something bad happens.”

– Nick Saban

Coach DiDonato shared with parents a valuable lesson he imparts to our sons, which truly embodies the essence of the program: without concentrating on what truly matters, success can feel out of reach. He emphasizes this philosophy not just in the context of football, but in the journey of life as well. It’s one of the many reasons I deeply appreciate Coach DiDonato; he recognizes that life extends far beyond the football field, and his commitment to preparing our sons for success in all aspects of life is inspiring. He passionately instills a powerful motto, 4/40/Forever, in the hearts and minds of every player and coach on the team, leaving a lasting impact.

In the article on Grove City College’s website, Ministry on the Gridiron, Coach DiDonato says, “If you learn not to derive your fulfillment from football but to bring it to football, if your fulfillment’s in Christ … well it’s that fulfillment in Him, when you play the sport not only do you bear fruit but you get the ultimate fulfillment from playing it.” As a coach, DiDonato focuses on whole-person development based on the Great Commandment that we are to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind – because who you are off the field is who you are on the field.

“We use a slogan ‘4/40/Forever’ because we’re reminded – football is gonna last four years, their degree the next 40, and their faith’s gonna impact eternity forever,” DiDonato said. “It’s an amazing platform we have to not only teach character and sportsmanship but ultimately to point young people to Christ and ultimately what it means to glorify God and utilize the gifts that He’s given you.”

For me, “see a little, see a lot” means to focus on my two main responsibilities as a follower of Jesus Christ: to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love my neighbor as myself (Mark 12:30-31). Everything else flows from there.

The practical application of these responsibilities embraces a heartfelt approach: (1) I dedicate the first 15 minutes of my day to God, immersing myself in His Word, as I find that the tranquility of the morning enriches my spirit. (2) Throughout the day, I strive to be intentional in serving others, recognizing that this is the essence of being a servant leader. By placing God first, others second, and myself third, I nurture a sense of community and empathy in my daily life.

See a little, see a lot. Embracing this simple yet profound idea has genuinely transformed my life. I hold deep gratitude for Coach DiDonato and Coach Saban, who introduced me to these few meaningful words that help me articulate and teach it to others.