Lehigh University Athletics
Lieb’s Focus on Controllables Amidst Adversity Leads to Success
9/29/2020 11:47:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Student Athlete, Support, Features, Flight 45, Intellectual Development
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
With everything Jack Lieb has gone through, it would have been easy to walk away from the game of basketball.
Instead, Lieb has embraced what he can control. It's led him to Vanderbilt University and the role of graduate assistant within the men's basketball program.
"Everything happens for a reason," said the 2020 Lehigh graduate. "I've gone through things that have built my character, built who I am as a person and allowed me to translate the messages and lessons I've learned to others.
"I want everyone I'm around to become the best person they possibly can be," Lieb continued. "I'm hoping I served that purpose at Lehigh, especially during my senior year."
As a collegiate student-athlete, Lieb never got on the floor for a game.
But it wasn't for a lack of trying.
"I came in eager to have this new opportunity at Lehigh," he said. "I was playing really well in the summer and fall, but then unfortunately had a foot injury my freshman year that lingered and eventually would need a second surgery. As a result of that second surgery to repair my foot, I sustained nerve damage in my sciatic nerve, which would eventually create further injuries including a torn labrum, bursitis and an impingement in my hip, bone spurs (which led to a third surgery) and many other complications.
"I'm almost going on four years now and I still have pain consistently," Lieb continued. "It's something you fight through every single day, along with the other injuries I sustained from the overcompensation."
Despite the hardships, basketball continued to remain a passion for Lieb. He never gave up hope of playing one day, but that day would not come. Instead, he turned his focus to what he could control.
And that focus has led Lieb to Vanderbilt and the master's of economics program.
"The opportunity Jack has carved for himself with the Vanderbilt staff is a wonderful step because not only is he going to gain further experience in college basketball, but he's also setting himself up to continue his education," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "He's putting himself in a position to build valuable skills, on and off the court."
Resilience Through Tough Times
Lieb has worked through plenty of mental and physical challenges to get to this point today.
"Throughout my career, there were tons of ups and downs," he said. "I always tried to take a positive outlook. I tried to never dwell on the fact that I was injured or on crutches all the time, having surgeries or going to physical therapy in off-hours when my teammates and coaches didn't even know about it. I would get workouts in on my own time at Grace Hall, or with (strength and conditioning coach) Eric Markovcy, in order just to make my body feel good and get back to doing what I love… working out."
By embracing the weight room, Lieb was taking command of something he could control, something that was in his power.
"I believe I grew every single year to the point that when I was a senior, I realized I could (and wanted to) have a huge impact on this team," he said. "I have a voice and unique perspective that I don't think many people have. It's a perspective I wouldn't wish on anyone because I wouldn't want others to go through what I've gone through."
Last season, Lieb embraced the role as a student mentor and coach, serving as a glue between the student-athletes and coaching staff.
"Jack's ability to process and understand the game was impressive from the sideline last year," said Reed. "He was often able to look at things critically and had a good feel. Obviously, he wanted to play, but the fact that he was constantly thinking about the game was an indication of just how personally, mentally and emotionally he was involved with the game."
That involvement made Lieb think about continuing with basketball post-graduation.
"I witnessed first-hand what it's kind of like to be a coach," he said. "Through guidance from the [Lehigh] staff, I realized coaching is something I'm passionate about. It started to pick up towards the middle of the season; I started having conversations with schools and seeing the feasibility of becoming a graduate assistant.
"For me, it was also important to combine continuing my education at the master's level while getting acclimated to the coaching world."
Vanderbilt Opportunity
Lieb secured the position at Vanderbilt despite the pandemic.
"Early on, a lot of schools I was talking to said I could be a graduate assistant for them, but come April or May, I heard there was uncertainty," he said. "I was fortunate that Vanderbilt had a spot. Out of the schools I had solidified as top targets for both my master's program and being a GA, Vanderbilt was a top choice.
"Coach Reed was very influential in helping me connect with schools by writing letters of recommendation and speaking on my behalf."
Lieb's new head coach at Vanderbilt is former NBA standout Jerry Stackhouse. Lieb's role this year has been (and will be) similar to his senior season at Lehigh.
"My number one role is I'm a servant to the team," he said. "Do what's best for the team in whatever form that is. At Lehigh, I was a leader and captain, having a large vocal role, holding others accountable and having an ear in with Coach Reed at all times. It obviously differs when you get to the coaching side of things. As a graduate assistant, I'm allowed to be on the court, orchestrating and helping with drills.
"Things are different, but similar at the same time."
Focusing On What He Can Control
Despite his injuries, Lieb has found a way to be around the game he loves. He is grateful for Lehigh, especially the people who helped foster growth through hard times.
"The relationships I built at Lehigh will last a lifetime," said Lieb. "The family-oriented style, which in my opinion comes from the top of the food chain, Coach Reed, is unlike a lot of places. Everyone throughout the years has really bought into that family, unified style. The coaches bring in high-class guys every year and they have become lifelong friends."
Lieb gained a second family at Lehigh, all while attending one of the top academic institutions in the country as a finance major.
"I built relationships with people in the business school and gained friends outside of basketball," he said. "It's a community I miss. You don't realize how much you miss those relationships, those people and those everyday tendencies until you're not there anymore."
"There", being Lehigh, could have left a sour taste in Lieb's mouth because of the injuries. But instead, he focused on controlling what he could control.
"You learn a lot about yourself through the injuries, surgeries and constant daily grind, things a lot of people don't even know about," he said.
"I'm someone who had kept it within, but as you grow, you learn that keeping it within isn't healthy," Lieb continued. "Reaching out to those close to you and utilizing resources around you can lift you, and help you see things from a bigger picture."
Today, Lieb's bigger-picture goal remains the same as it's been.
"I want to be healthy and pain free," he said. "Going everyday through life in pain is something I wouldn't wish on anybody.
"But at the same time, I look at the bright side of things."
What is the bright side?
Lieb's mindset, which is something he can control.
"There are a lot of people who deal with a lot worse, especially in times right now with COVID," said Lieb. "There are kids out there who never had the opportunity to play because of things that happened to them as a child. There are a lot harder things than what I've dealt with. It puts things in perspective.
"I am grateful and blessed to be in the position I am today."
With everything Jack Lieb has gone through, it would have been easy to walk away from the game of basketball.
Instead, Lieb has embraced what he can control. It's led him to Vanderbilt University and the role of graduate assistant within the men's basketball program.
"Everything happens for a reason," said the 2020 Lehigh graduate. "I've gone through things that have built my character, built who I am as a person and allowed me to translate the messages and lessons I've learned to others.
"I want everyone I'm around to become the best person they possibly can be," Lieb continued. "I'm hoping I served that purpose at Lehigh, especially during my senior year."
As a collegiate student-athlete, Lieb never got on the floor for a game.
But it wasn't for a lack of trying.
"I came in eager to have this new opportunity at Lehigh," he said. "I was playing really well in the summer and fall, but then unfortunately had a foot injury my freshman year that lingered and eventually would need a second surgery. As a result of that second surgery to repair my foot, I sustained nerve damage in my sciatic nerve, which would eventually create further injuries including a torn labrum, bursitis and an impingement in my hip, bone spurs (which led to a third surgery) and many other complications.
"I'm almost going on four years now and I still have pain consistently," Lieb continued. "It's something you fight through every single day, along with the other injuries I sustained from the overcompensation."
Despite the hardships, basketball continued to remain a passion for Lieb. He never gave up hope of playing one day, but that day would not come. Instead, he turned his focus to what he could control.
And that focus has led Lieb to Vanderbilt and the master's of economics program.
"The opportunity Jack has carved for himself with the Vanderbilt staff is a wonderful step because not only is he going to gain further experience in college basketball, but he's also setting himself up to continue his education," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "He's putting himself in a position to build valuable skills, on and off the court."
Resilience Through Tough Times
Lieb has worked through plenty of mental and physical challenges to get to this point today.
"Throughout my career, there were tons of ups and downs," he said. "I always tried to take a positive outlook. I tried to never dwell on the fact that I was injured or on crutches all the time, having surgeries or going to physical therapy in off-hours when my teammates and coaches didn't even know about it. I would get workouts in on my own time at Grace Hall, or with (strength and conditioning coach) Eric Markovcy, in order just to make my body feel good and get back to doing what I love… working out."
By embracing the weight room, Lieb was taking command of something he could control, something that was in his power.
"I believe I grew every single year to the point that when I was a senior, I realized I could (and wanted to) have a huge impact on this team," he said. "I have a voice and unique perspective that I don't think many people have. It's a perspective I wouldn't wish on anyone because I wouldn't want others to go through what I've gone through."
Last season, Lieb embraced the role as a student mentor and coach, serving as a glue between the student-athletes and coaching staff.
"Jack's ability to process and understand the game was impressive from the sideline last year," said Reed. "He was often able to look at things critically and had a good feel. Obviously, he wanted to play, but the fact that he was constantly thinking about the game was an indication of just how personally, mentally and emotionally he was involved with the game."
That involvement made Lieb think about continuing with basketball post-graduation.
"I witnessed first-hand what it's kind of like to be a coach," he said. "Through guidance from the [Lehigh] staff, I realized coaching is something I'm passionate about. It started to pick up towards the middle of the season; I started having conversations with schools and seeing the feasibility of becoming a graduate assistant.
"For me, it was also important to combine continuing my education at the master's level while getting acclimated to the coaching world."
Vanderbilt Opportunity
Lieb secured the position at Vanderbilt despite the pandemic.
"Early on, a lot of schools I was talking to said I could be a graduate assistant for them, but come April or May, I heard there was uncertainty," he said. "I was fortunate that Vanderbilt had a spot. Out of the schools I had solidified as top targets for both my master's program and being a GA, Vanderbilt was a top choice.
"Coach Reed was very influential in helping me connect with schools by writing letters of recommendation and speaking on my behalf."
Lieb's new head coach at Vanderbilt is former NBA standout Jerry Stackhouse. Lieb's role this year has been (and will be) similar to his senior season at Lehigh.
"My number one role is I'm a servant to the team," he said. "Do what's best for the team in whatever form that is. At Lehigh, I was a leader and captain, having a large vocal role, holding others accountable and having an ear in with Coach Reed at all times. It obviously differs when you get to the coaching side of things. As a graduate assistant, I'm allowed to be on the court, orchestrating and helping with drills.
"Things are different, but similar at the same time."
Focusing On What He Can Control
Despite his injuries, Lieb has found a way to be around the game he loves. He is grateful for Lehigh, especially the people who helped foster growth through hard times.
"The relationships I built at Lehigh will last a lifetime," said Lieb. "The family-oriented style, which in my opinion comes from the top of the food chain, Coach Reed, is unlike a lot of places. Everyone throughout the years has really bought into that family, unified style. The coaches bring in high-class guys every year and they have become lifelong friends."
Lieb gained a second family at Lehigh, all while attending one of the top academic institutions in the country as a finance major.
"I built relationships with people in the business school and gained friends outside of basketball," he said. "It's a community I miss. You don't realize how much you miss those relationships, those people and those everyday tendencies until you're not there anymore."
"There", being Lehigh, could have left a sour taste in Lieb's mouth because of the injuries. But instead, he focused on controlling what he could control.
"You learn a lot about yourself through the injuries, surgeries and constant daily grind, things a lot of people don't even know about," he said.
"I'm someone who had kept it within, but as you grow, you learn that keeping it within isn't healthy," Lieb continued. "Reaching out to those close to you and utilizing resources around you can lift you, and help you see things from a bigger picture."
Today, Lieb's bigger-picture goal remains the same as it's been.
"I want to be healthy and pain free," he said. "Going everyday through life in pain is something I wouldn't wish on anybody.
"But at the same time, I look at the bright side of things."
What is the bright side?
Lieb's mindset, which is something he can control.
"There are a lot of people who deal with a lot worse, especially in times right now with COVID," said Lieb. "There are kids out there who never had the opportunity to play because of things that happened to them as a child. There are a lot harder things than what I've dealt with. It puts things in perspective.
"I am grateful and blessed to be in the position I am today."
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