This is a “plug” for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. I have been affiliated with them since the late 80’s and have always supported their work. We have a tremendous young man who is the Area Director here in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Nate Timm has shown that he has a passion for the Lord and a desire to serve the coaches and athletes in our region.
I shared a few weeks ago that I have resigned my position as a full-time (day-to-day) coach. It was a difficult decision but I’ve come to realize in the last month that it was the direction that I needed to take.
The new HC at our local high school where I coached for 33 has brought me on as the Character Coach for Western Branch HS. If you don’t know what that is, then contact your local FCA representative and let him/her explain to you what a Character Coach is… and does! I feel like it’s the perfect role for me: I get to encourage the players and coaches while not having to be involved in the daily grind that is a football season. A season that is basically year-round now.
My hope, as the new Character Coach, is to inspire and encourage the young men on our team to become young men who understand the importance of integrity, respect and dedication— among numerous other traits that I plan to explore during the season. I plan to do this by reinstating a practice that I used while a HC. I call it the Word of the Week.
A positive character trait is introduced to the team on Monday. I have a library full of stories and parables that will bring to light what is entailed with that character trait. For example, my first word that I will present is: PERSISTENCE.
The story that I will use to introduce the significance of being persistent is one that I read from Stephan Curry of the GS Warriors. It is called The Tale of the Stonecutter. Check it out!
Our new HC is so excited about it that it produced our team slogan! Similar to the very successful “Row The Boat” that PJ Fleck brought to the U. of Minnesota football program, our HC has hashtagged it: #KEEPONHAMMERIN’!
I encourage you to explore getting a Character Coach as part of your program. Talk to your local FCA rep and find out how the FCA can become involved in your team. You won’t regret it!
