Matheny talk is about more than baseball

A servant's heart. Courage. Vision. All are words to describe what we hope to see in a leader. It's what inspires people, provides direction and a framework for success.

On Monday night St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny will speak at the Show Me Center for the Arrow Leadership and Success Summit. This one-hour talk will feature Matheny speaking on leadership and its connection to Cardinals baseball. There also will be a question-and-answer session for the audience.

Matheny has the pedigree to talk about leadership. He was a catcher in Major League Baseball, spending several years with the Cardinals organization. After serving as an instructional coach and helping in youth sports, he was hired in 2011 as the 49th manager in Cardinals history. Mike had no prior managerial experience, which made the selection a bold move. But as we've seen since, it was a good one.

Matheny has led the organization to three consecutive appearances in the National League Championship Series, and in 2012 the Cardinals advanced to the World Series.

Matheny was asked at the time of his hiring what he thought the role of manager was for the Cardinals. His answer: leadership.

Certainly baseball acumen and tactical decision-making skills are critical to success. But being a leader your team trusts -- that's priceless.

Matheny now will face a different level of leadership. Top prospect Oscar Taveras was killed in a vehicle collision recently in his home country of the Dominican Republic. The 22-year-old, according to a report, was drunk. His girlfriend, 18, also was killed.

This is a trying time for the Cardinals, and something Matheny has dealt with as a player. His good friend Darryl Kile died in his sleep in June 2002 when the Cardinals were in Chicago.

Losing a teammate is not easy. Cardinals Nation grieves the loss of a talented player. But more so, we grieve the loss of a person.

This team will find a way to grieve, come together and prepare for the season. St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz wrote in the Oct. 30 newspaper, "The Cardinals couldn't have a better manager than Mike Matheny to help guide them through this."

Monday is about learning from a leader, hearing some baseball stories, and, it is hoped, coming away inspired to be better leaders.

General admission and VIP tickets are available through the Show Me Center box office, by calling 651-5000 or online at showmecenter.biz. Southeast students, faculty and staff can secure a free ticket with their Redhawks ID.

We encourage you to attend this event.