There can only be one champion in any given sport each year. No matter how hard you work and how well you perform, there is every chance that somebody else will be carrying the trophy when the season ends. But what separates a collegiate team or individual from their competitors?

The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team recently won the championship for the second year running. They became the first school to repeat as winners on the men’s side since 2007 when The University of Florida did the same. 

In those two years, Connecticut won every tournament game by double digits. Prior to the 2024 championship game, head coach Dan Hurley emphasized why his team was so successful.

“We have this culture of playing incredibly hard,” Hurley said. “We never lose because of lack of effort.”

Carol Jue, head coach of the women’s basketball team at Chapman University, echoed a similar sentiment about winning.

“I prepare my teams by talking about playing a championship style of basketball from the start of the season,” Jue said. “Each game should be like it's your last and play like a championship game.”

The philosophy championed by Hurley and Jue is centered around making sure every game their teams play is competitive. The idea is that if you treat game one of the season like a high-pressure championship game, by the end of the season, the real elimination games won’t seem as daunting.

When it comes to her coaching philosophy, Jue makes sure her team always carries the simple yet most important ideologies for basketball.

“Play hard each time you step on the floor,” Jue said. “Practice with a purpose (and) play with intensity and smarts on the floor that will translate to wins.”

Former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban, who won seven national championships in 13 years at the school, also preached the value of effort and good preparation. Saban is a strong believer that his teams should focus on what they can control and block out the rest.

“Take the other team out of the game, and make it all about you and what you do,” Saban said.

The approach to building a group of championship-level players as a coach can be different between individual and team sports. Chapman swim and dive head coach Juliet Suess discussed what separates the good athletes from the champions.

Given how much student-athletes must balance, from school to their sport to managing a social life, there is a huge importance in making sure they have fun while competing. 

Suess also said that athletes need to believe that they can win championships, and in turn, they will unlock their full potential.

Ultimately, the coaches who win championships are the ones who can implement these ideals most effectively. Jue, who in 21 years coaching Chapman has won over 67% of her games, described how she creates a culture of excellence for her team.

“I believe in investing in each student-athlete that is a part of our program,” Jue said. “Getting to know who they are, what makes them think and how to get them to play hard within the team goals (is important).”

There is no perfect formula for building a team capable of winning trophies. No two champions are the same. Every coach and team has their own quirks and uniqueness, but there seems to be some sense of consensus around how to become a champion. 

It takes consistent effort and players who believe in the plan. Athletes must enjoy the hard work while focusing on what they can control. That’s a large part of what it takes.