Former coach Dungy to speak at Willow Creek Leadership Summit

Tony Dungy has mentored several athletes, but his work with fallen football star Michael Vick has received the most attention.

"It wasn't anything that different, maybe a little bit more publicitiy," the 54-year-old Dungy said. "You try to help more people regardless of their difficulties, if they've had problems or had troubles. It's something you feel like it's the right thing to do."

Dungy, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts, and whose team bested the Bears and good friend Lovie Smith in the Super Bowl three years ago, will speak at 1 p.m. today (Thursday) at this year's Willow Creek Leadership Summit at South Barrington.

A devout evangelical Christian, Dungy will also make appearances at Wheaton Academy Thursday morning and at the Borders in Schaumburg to sign copies of his new book, "The Mentor Leader" later Thursday afternoon.

This is the 16th summit for Willow Creek, and more than 7,000 are expected to attend the two-day event at the South Barrington church. The event is to help churches foster better leadership, but it also attracts people from the business world interested in leadership tips.

Other guest speakers are former GE CEO Jack Welch and Chinese economist Zhao Xiao.

Last year, recorded interviews with U2 frontman Bono and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair were beamed to Willow Creek-affiliated churches all over the world. One of the more memorable interviews from years past was when Willow Creek founder Bill Hybels questioned President Bill Clinton.

This year's event will be broadcast live to more than 220 North American cities with more than 64,000 watching. Eventually, the event will be shown to Willow Creek affiliates in 70 cities outside of North America, said Steve Bell, an executive vice president with the Willow Creek Association.

"We think church leaders can learn from all kinds of arenas," he said.

The opportunity to share his message about mentoring beyond the Chicago area appealed to Dungy, who recalled his father's influence.

Dungy said that too many workers, as they're promoted in the professional world, forget their obligations to mentor and develop friendships.

Dungy has helped Vick, who was suspended by the NFL after a dogfighting ring at his home was uncovered. The former superstar was relegated into a backup role last season, with his reputation tarnished.

"I think Michael is doing well, he's doing a lot of positive things, he has one misstep that everyone wants to focus on," Dungy said. "I think he's going to learn from that. He's way, way better than four years ago, I think his personal life is much more in order."

Dungy and Lovie Smith are longtime friends. No matter how good of a person Smith is, Dungy said, winning is the only measure of success in professional sports.

"Lovie's players will give everything they have, they're going to be well prepared and coached. That's what you want from a leader," Dungy said.

"If they win the Super Bowl, then all the critics will say 'yes, Lovie Smith is the greatest.' If they don't win, they'll be negative and say he needs to be replaced."

Dungy, who also is an NFL analyst for NBC, was asked if Brett Favre is a good leader, in the midst of uncertainty over whether the Minnesota quarterback will take the field this season or retire.

"Players in the Minnesota locker room, they love him, they respect him, they want to be there, they feel he's their guy," Dungy said.

"I don't know everything that goes on, you only know what's reported. Not being there, and judging from a distance, I don't think it's fair."

Dungy's book signing will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday at Borders, 1540 Golf Road in Schaumburg.

Wristbands to stand in line will be given out when the store opens at 9 a.m.