Not THAT type of coach, silly! |
Sad happenings this week in Vegas, and sad to see the fallout discussions. I have my own opinions on gun control and stuff, but so what. Opining on that topic divides. I read that there were 88k deaths related to alcohol use last year in the US. Where is the outrage there? And does anyone now care about who takes a knee?
It is too easy to focus on things that suck, so I would like to focus just a bit on one of the things that makes this country great. There are many, (those serving in PTAs, charities, churches, local agencies, etc.) but today I am talking about coaches.
Go to any soccer field across this fruited plain, and you will see SUVs, minivans, popup tents, umbrellas, coolers full of water bottles and orange wedges . . . but the common thread that holds everything together are coaches. Hundreds of thousands leave work early and spend countless hours to invest in kids. I love those guys.
I coached football for a year, the Camarillo Cougars' 8th grade level team. My old high school friend Matt Hickman pulled me aside, and wisely counseled, "John, when Jake gets older, you are going to coach him, right? Well, you don't want to be a rookie coach. Why don't you come out and cut your teeth on other peoples' kids this year with the Cougars?"
Sounded like sound logic to me. But after four months of 4 nights a week and all day every Saturday, I realized the commitment. And it wasn't just time, I felt dedicated to give my very best effort to these 45 or 50 boys, who felt like my sons. I think the worst day of my life was when we lost our 2nd round playoff game. That was in 2007, and I have to admit to still feeling sick about it. Watching Matty Hickman refuse to be tackled, and Tony Johnson break a finger but still continuing to play, are indelibly imprinted in my mind. And heart.
I came to understand something too. Coaching makes you crazy. It may be temporary insanity, but there were times I wanted to put a contract on those guys in stripes.
Over the years I have seen a lot of great things from coaches. Here are a few that stick out.
Carl Thompson- don't let the smile fool you! |
Anonymous coach- there are rules in college sports, but some of them seem overly austere. My buddy's kid was away at college to wrestle, (and probably study too!), and was struggling to make ends meet as many of us did while in college. Coaches are limited by rules on what help they can give, but my friend's kid was home in his apartment and he received a visit from his coach, who had an armful of groceries for him. From what I hear, this isn't a rare thing, but sure does indicate the emotional investment made in these kids. My buddy often said that his boy would take a bullet for that coach.
Joe Rios, a class act, great coach, and one of by best friends. Hundreds of his athletes were at his funeral. |
Brad Penrith- best example of coaching a ref. I was officiating his kid from Northern Iowa University at the NCAA D1 West Region. His kid was on top riding, and Brad calmly said to me from his corner, "You're gonna miss the points if you don't get over here." I scooted on over, and his kid then hit a tilt going an unexpected way, and I would have totally missed it. Well, not totally, I would have gotten there in time for a one-count, but you need a two-count to get points, and he barely had the two-count before the bottom kid rolled out of danger. At that moment I got some insight on the partnership a coach and ref could have, not to anyone's advantage, but to ensure a safe and fair contest.
Coach Dave Pacheco doing what coaches do, and getting more than most coaches get. |
I am amazed at the good coaches do, and this country has an army of them who help kids learn responsibility, build grit, develop skills, build character, and yep . . . pay if forward. America would be a different place without these wonderful coaches- God bless 'em all.
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