The bench tells the truth about a team. We need to be clear about what it represents. The bench is not a place to sulk. It’s not a place for shame. It’s not where you disconnect, and it’s not a scoreboard of minutes played or a measure of your worth. If anything, the bench exposes whether we truly understand Unity—that this is bigger than any one role, any one game, or any one stat line (i.e. minutes played, etc).

 

   The bench is a stronghold of Passion, where energy and enthusiasm are felt by all, even when you’re not on the court. It’s a beacon of Humility—thinking of yourself less while choosing to celebrate others more. Your body language matters. Your voice matters. The bench is active, visible, and powerful because culture doesn’t take plays off.

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   Our Bench Gold Standard also reflects Servanthood and Thankfulness. We celebrate teammates regardless of score or role. We bring the juice when it’s hardest to do so. We lift others even when our personal agenda isn’t being met. The bench reveals who you are when the game isn’t about you.

 

   The bench even extends past the final buzzer. We pick up the trash after games—win or lose—because humility, thankfulness, and servanthood are habits, not slogans. That’s why the bench isn’t secondary—it’s foundational to WHO WE ARE. Gratitude shows up in small habits. Celebration is culture on display.

 

The bench is where we practice what we preach: full “surrender to the team”.