As March rolls around each year, the buzz surrounding March Madness fills the airwaves. Whether you’re a die-hard college basketball fan or someone who typically doesn’t follow sports, it’s hard to ignore the excitement of the NCAA tournaments. This annual event brings together hundreds of college basketball teams from across the country, all vying for a coveted spot in the tournament.
The term “March Madness” perfectly encapsulates the frenzy that surrounds these tournaments. It’s a time when schools big and small, public and private, come together with a common goal. For a brief moment, the persistent political polarization and vitriolic social discourse fades into the background as fans rally behind their teams. Their beloved team will compete their hearts out to make it through the final four games of the tournament, winner take all.
A Reflection Opportunity for Higher Education Leaders
From a higher education leader’s perspective, March Madness presents a unique opportunity for reflection and learning. First, it serves as a powerful example of unity, bringing people together from diverse backgrounds and locations. Regardless of differences, everyone is focused on the same objective – winning the championship at the Big Dance.
March Madness and the Pursuit of Truth
More importantly, March Madness is a tournament of truth, of facts, percentages and statistics as well as inner truths of courage and grit. Each team’s path to victory is laid out clearly, with rankings and seedings determining matchups. It’s a finite game, as Simon Sinek would say, where there are clear winners and losers. In a world where truth and knowledge are increasingly debated, the straightforward nature of March Madness is refreshing.
In a world where truth and knowledge are increasingly debated, the straightforward nature of March Madness is refreshing.
This emphasis on truth raises important—even essential—questions for higher education. In today’s post-truth era, there’s a pervasive sense of skepticism toward institutions and the discernment of truth and facts. Universities have historically been the vanguards of truth-seeking and polarity thinking, serving as arenas where debates unfold and truths are discovered and rediscovered. This pursuit of truth is at the heart of our existence—veritas is our raison d’être. Indeed, the foundational underpinning of sovereignty itself is rooted in building consensus around a set of facts. Further, there has been a pervasive erosion of optimism, especially among our youth, coupled with an ever-increasing struggle to discover meaning, purpose, and direction.
In theory, this should be a Golden Age for higher education. Why isn’t it?
Reclaiming the Guardianship Truth
Are we still the guardians of truth, as we once were in our monastic origins? Have we veered off course from our fundamental purpose in pursuit of alternative objectives? Are we deeply rooted in our core purpose? Do we cultivate, encourage, and embrace broad diversity of perspectives? Do we represent the embodiment of civil discourse and the ability to agree on common values or universals in the face of differences? Do we cultivate personal growth, optimism, flourishing, and resilience? In a society where winning arguments often eclipses real problem-solving (i.e., our current system of governmental “vetocracy”), it’s imperative that we cultivate skills to do all of these. We must reclaim the essence of polarity thinking and doing—the foundational purpose of universities.
We must reclaim the essence of polarity thinking and doing—the foundational purpose of universities.
Our Forever Business
Of particular importance, it is imperative that we recognize that unlike tournaments, we are in the “forever business,” engaged in the perpetual pursuit of our core mission—we’re playing in an infinite game. Our fundamental aim is to enrich lives, foster growth, ignite curiosity, and cultivate new knowledge. Or, as Plutarch eloquently describes, to kindle a fire of discovery that transcends boundaries and time. Unlike the structured competition of a tournament, our “truth” is dynamic and evolving, emerging from effortful research and discovery, scholarly discourse, diverse viewpoints, and rigorous civil debate. In this infinite game, there are no definitive winners or losers; rather, our focus is on enduring social impact and sustained growth—which are wins for all. Rankings and comparisons hold limited relevance in the realm of infinite games, often diverting attention and resources from our overarching purpose. Perhaps this shift in perspective can help elucidate our seemingly insidious shift from acolytes of knowledge to consumers of education.
In this infinite game, there are no definitive winners or losers; rather, our focus is on enduring social impact and sustained growth—which are wins for all.
The concept of March Madness as a tournament of fact is particularly striking. In a post-truth world where facts are increasingly contested, the clarity and transparency of the tournament’s structure are a welcome reminder of the importance of truth. As we celebrate this year’s Final Four and crown our champions, let’s also reflect on the broader meaning of the college experience.
Higher education, or more aptly, higher learning, inherently possesses the ability to unite individuals, cultivate community, and promote collaboration amidst intricate challenges. Its fundamental purpose is to elevate human potential, instill optimism, and propel progress. Universities stand as vital pillars of democracy, embodying principles of inclusivity and enlightenment. If we can fervently support our teams during March Madness while in sports arenas, surely we can also act as agents of healing and solidarity for our nation in the arena of life.
Let’s make March Madness not just a celebration of basketball, but a celebration of truth and learning. As higher-education leaders, let’s embrace polarity thinking and reaffirm our purpose-driven commitment to our core mission. This is our opportunity to shine and to show the world the transformative power of learning and discovery. Let’s make every month a celebration of truth, not just in March.
Let’s show our game.