"I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
— Ettiene De Grellet.
During this month is The CHAMP Community Breakfast. The theme this year is “The Legacy You Leave”
Greetings!
New Year’s has always been a time for looking back on the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.
As a coach maybe a suggestion for this New Year could be:
Stay informed about the changes in your sport, the rules, and the new ideas being developed each year. We all know that the basic principles remain the same but the methods do change.
Engage your assistants more. Perhaps if you have done so already, it is time to create an environment that encourages more input and discussion with your athletic director all the way to your assistants and invite them to think about strategy, not just tasks.
If you are the typical high profile coach, and this is your off season, spend more time with family and friends. Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others, show that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Tough to do if you are in the basketball or wrestling season. March does come up quickly though.
A poll was taken by some older coaches that had retired from coaching for some time and in looking back they made reference to this question, “If you could live your coaching career over again, what would you do differently?”
The 3 most common answers were:
I would reflect more
I would risk more
I would do more things that would live on after I am gone.
This month for CHAMP we are hosting our Community Breakfast and Fund Raiser. This year Dr. Scott Stoll will be our keynote speaker. We will also present The Keli McGregor Service Award along with The Sonny Lubick Coach of Character Award.
This is a great event and many people look forward to it including the coaches we recognize and the athletes that attend. We look forward to seeing you on January 25th.
December 2011 CHAMP Athlete of the Month :
Once a month CHAMP (Character in Athletics – Make it a Priority) selects one student athlete from our community to be recognized as the CHAMP Athlete of the Month (CAM). This individual displays character, discipline, and leadership on and off the competitive field and by doing so have become a student-athlete role model for character in athletics.
CHAMP is proud to recognize Jenna Jordan, a softball player who plays club softball for Triple Crown Sports, as our December CHAMP Athlete of the Month (CAM). Jenna has demonstrated through her actions and words the definition of being an athlete of character and is a role model for her teammates and community. Due to her work ethic, positive attitude and strong faith, Jenna is every coach’s dream, according to Coach Krista Judge. “Jenna is extremely coachable, puts forth 100% in everything she does, is a great teammate and is a top notch role model off the field." At her softball practices, Jenna displays discipline and unselfishness by putting in the extra time to improve herself and her teammates. “She is willing to sacrifice, by coming in early or staying late for her pitchers and she will go with any of them to their pitching lessons” say Coach Judge. Off the field, Jenna is a family person who values the time she has with her family. Jenna is compassionate and is very involved with her church. “Anyone who associates with Jenna is a better person because of her. It has been an honor to know her," states Coach Judge.
CHAMP is honored to present Jenna as the December Character Athlete of the Month for her dedication and her hard work in softball, and with her skills and generosity to be a role model for youth in Fort Collins.
CHAMP is a Fort Collins based non-profit organization serving as a catalyst in our youth athletic and education organizations. Requirement, is demonstration and recognition of good character in youth athletics. Please visit CHAMP at www.CHAMPFC.com.
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"In a 20-year study of 80,000 athletes ranging from high school, college and professional levels, researchers found that athletes are not as morally developed as the normal population. When faced with a moral issue, athletes respond differently from non-athletes..."
~ Tom Kuyper, Athletes in Training
“As an official, it’s important that I see athletes who play with a positive attitude towards other teams, their teammates and officials and coaches. I’ve watched this team play a number of times. All the players do an exceptional job of not only exuding good sportsmanship when winning, but also when down in the score!”
~ Local Sports Official
"I’m very pleased with how the CHAMP program has influenced our basketball team. As a coach, I believe that class, hard work, sportsmanship, and teamwork are the most important qualities in a successful team...The CHAMP program has helped us strive for greatness and provided out team with a quality standard...”
~ Champ Middle School Coach
I am very fortunate to have had an outstanding high school coach. He ran a character based program that taught me to always prioritize good character first. These character lessons have been fundamental to my success off the playing field and have stayed with me through my entire life.”
~ Tom Livingston, Livingston Real Estate and Development
“The best part of having our team participate in this program is the pleasure we get from watching the girls...I think it helps build a stronger more cohesive community that I am proud to be a part of.”
~ Jenny Hubbard, Parent
“My family has been so happy and confident to participate in the Rookie league for the first time, primarily because Coach Ron Frasco’s Mustangs understand and practice true sportsmanship...The whole CHAMP program is to be applauded for encouraging, recognizing and celebrating excellence in the character leadership.”
~ Youth baseball club parent
“My daughter plays basketball for Lincoln Junior High. I also coach football at Lincoln...I am more comfortable knowing that the CHAMP program is reminding players, parents and coaches that building character in a teen is more important than winning games.”
~ Champ Elite Program Parent
“The CHAMP Program has helped us strive for greatness and provided our team with a quality standard of what it means to have true character in athletics.”
~ 2008 CHAMP Elite Team Coach
“I have nothing but respect for the efforts that the coaches and the players have been putting forth...I thank Lincoln Junior High and CHAMP for helping to bring out the best in my son and many other students”.
~ Margaret Watson, Parent
“...Parents (are) more concerned about themselves and how good they look than what type of person their child will be...That is why I was so happy to hear about the CHAMP Commission and how this Program is being utilized in the schools.”
~ Soccer Mom
“Our team’s emphasis on positive character has impacted far beyond just our players. It has extended out and impacted the whole school community. Players have worked to improve their character in all aspects of their life...”
~ CHAMP Elite Player
"...I am putting my full support behind the CHAMP Elite Team Award...Please join me in developing these young athletes to their full character potential for success in every area of their lives..."
~ Sonny Lubick, former CSU head football coach
