The Privilege
Good day, yes it has been some time since my last post. I had done a little day traveling and it kept me away from the keyboard. My somewhat short trips all had one thing in common; soccer. The game has meant a lot to me. The non-athletes out there find that kind of statement from anyone, related to any sport, very odd. However, for those of us that have spent time on athletic endeavors...well...it is a weighty statement, it has impact.
I enjoy the game, I loved playing- the game has passed me by (more on that later!) and I thoroughly enjoy teaching the game to the next generation(s). It is a privilege to coach. Some decide to coach to be involved with their children and really know nothing of the game and that is perfectly acceptable as the world lack volunteers. In the last two weeks I got to spend consecutive days watching, hanging out, coaching a little and yes even "attempting" to play.
During that time I was hanging out with friends, a mentor and even a former player who is now on a college team. The Answerman is getting old. I did mention that I attempted to play, feeble, terrible, not quite embarrassing but boy does skill erosion happen fast. One of my coaching mentors has twins, a young man and young woman now. Both play at the same college. Once upon a time over 30 years ago I also played at that same college. I was invited to play in a alumni game last year and this year by the young man, Steven Jr. I had coached his sister, Sarah. Last year I played well enough in spots to feel good that the game hadn't passed me by like a Ferrari on the turnpike, there are even a couple pictures to prove it.
This year was completely different. The game proved to me that 50 year old men don't belong on a field with 18-22 year old men. Together with one former college teammate at what was then a 2 year school, we were the oldest players on the alumni squad by 20 years!! The next oldest players were not even born when we played at the school! The school is a connector, the game is a connector and my ability to have played and to coach is a privilege. While I may have embarrased the game a bit with my on field performance a couple weeks ago, I respect it enough to coach.
My mentor, Steve Sr is a man of few words unless he feels what he says has impact. You had to earn his respect, if he felt your coaching was not in line with the program he let you know. In addition, if you earned his respect he also let you know. It was a privilege bestowed upon few. Twice and admittedly to my shock the first time, Steve selected me to run the all-star( called select) team from our recreational club. The select team got to travel to a couple tournaments like a real travel team. It was a privilege for the 8-9 year old kids too.
Years ago when our youth programs were being torn apart he had the great vision to merge the travel programs with another club. The travel programs started at age 10. One of the drivers for the success of that merged club was coaching. One day as the new club was being formed Steve came to one of my practices and said "I want you to coach next year, I have to tell the guys from the other club that I have a quality coach coming up for our youngest age group." You were hand picked, it was a privilege. I always respected the privilege and did as much for the kids and the club as I could for years after my daughter stopped playing.
Steve tried several times to step down as the President of the club. No one would take over the position so he was President by default for about 15 years. Finally his health forced him to step down. We have stayed in touch periodically. When this year's alumni game came around his son called me, asked for a donation and to play again- if it were just another kid I may have just passed. As the game approached Steve Sr called me and asked to ride with me to the game- he is no longer able to drive. The two hour drive each way was a great way to catch up, to enjoy the long history we've had together and really appreciate what the game has meant to both of us.
Sarah sat in the press box with my granddaughter and let her run the scoreboard since it was the men's alumni game. We were all there, still connected. Two hours, 150 miles away on a soccer field. We were, or still are conneceted by a game. It is surely a young person's game and based on the aches and pains I experienced for a few days afterwards I know that first hand. Despite the horrible on field performance I got to coach the current squad for a little, give them a halftime pep talk and get a picture with Steve Jr and his coach. It was a privelege to go back over 30 years and see others respect the game the way Steve Sr taught all his coaches and players. I did the same because great mentors are few.
The Answerman says "Stay involved with your community, respect each other enough to agree to disagree, if you find something meaningful and a true leader then teach that particular thing. Understand it is a privilege to lead and an honor to have a mentor. Respect that game, activity- that "thing" enough to be a mentor."
I enjoy the game, I loved playing- the game has passed me by (more on that later!) and I thoroughly enjoy teaching the game to the next generation(s). It is a privilege to coach. Some decide to coach to be involved with their children and really know nothing of the game and that is perfectly acceptable as the world lack volunteers. In the last two weeks I got to spend consecutive days watching, hanging out, coaching a little and yes even "attempting" to play.
During that time I was hanging out with friends, a mentor and even a former player who is now on a college team. The Answerman is getting old. I did mention that I attempted to play, feeble, terrible, not quite embarrassing but boy does skill erosion happen fast. One of my coaching mentors has twins, a young man and young woman now. Both play at the same college. Once upon a time over 30 years ago I also played at that same college. I was invited to play in a alumni game last year and this year by the young man, Steven Jr. I had coached his sister, Sarah. Last year I played well enough in spots to feel good that the game hadn't passed me by like a Ferrari on the turnpike, there are even a couple pictures to prove it.
This year was completely different. The game proved to me that 50 year old men don't belong on a field with 18-22 year old men. Together with one former college teammate at what was then a 2 year school, we were the oldest players on the alumni squad by 20 years!! The next oldest players were not even born when we played at the school! The school is a connector, the game is a connector and my ability to have played and to coach is a privilege. While I may have embarrased the game a bit with my on field performance a couple weeks ago, I respect it enough to coach.
My mentor, Steve Sr is a man of few words unless he feels what he says has impact. You had to earn his respect, if he felt your coaching was not in line with the program he let you know. In addition, if you earned his respect he also let you know. It was a privilege bestowed upon few. Twice and admittedly to my shock the first time, Steve selected me to run the all-star( called select) team from our recreational club. The select team got to travel to a couple tournaments like a real travel team. It was a privilege for the 8-9 year old kids too.
Years ago when our youth programs were being torn apart he had the great vision to merge the travel programs with another club. The travel programs started at age 10. One of the drivers for the success of that merged club was coaching. One day as the new club was being formed Steve came to one of my practices and said "I want you to coach next year, I have to tell the guys from the other club that I have a quality coach coming up for our youngest age group." You were hand picked, it was a privilege. I always respected the privilege and did as much for the kids and the club as I could for years after my daughter stopped playing.
Steve tried several times to step down as the President of the club. No one would take over the position so he was President by default for about 15 years. Finally his health forced him to step down. We have stayed in touch periodically. When this year's alumni game came around his son called me, asked for a donation and to play again- if it were just another kid I may have just passed. As the game approached Steve Sr called me and asked to ride with me to the game- he is no longer able to drive. The two hour drive each way was a great way to catch up, to enjoy the long history we've had together and really appreciate what the game has meant to both of us.
Sarah sat in the press box with my granddaughter and let her run the scoreboard since it was the men's alumni game. We were all there, still connected. Two hours, 150 miles away on a soccer field. We were, or still are conneceted by a game. It is surely a young person's game and based on the aches and pains I experienced for a few days afterwards I know that first hand. Despite the horrible on field performance I got to coach the current squad for a little, give them a halftime pep talk and get a picture with Steve Jr and his coach. It was a privelege to go back over 30 years and see others respect the game the way Steve Sr taught all his coaches and players. I did the same because great mentors are few.
The Answerman says "Stay involved with your community, respect each other enough to agree to disagree, if you find something meaningful and a true leader then teach that particular thing. Understand it is a privilege to lead and an honor to have a mentor. Respect that game, activity- that "thing" enough to be a mentor."
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