Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.
– George Addair

Hack Attack…

’Twas the week before Christmas and out at the school,

my phone unattended, which turns out was not cool.

My team was out playing, up the field they were racing,

And I on the sideline doing my usual pacing.

The game was exciting, both teams gave their all,

but to beat such a team was an order too tall.

Both teams, they did score, but it did not come easy

Yet something inside me left me feeling uneasy

The game was now over, it was time for a chat,

With the two other coaches, and a tip of the hat.

It took me away from my team for a spell,

and they were anxious to leave, that I could tell.

So to the coach my farewell and I wished them the best,

then a word with my team, then I sent them to rest.

Still something was odd, but I couldn’t yet find it,

But there were places to be so I just didn’t mind it.

But before I could leave there were things to be done,

Like clean up the field, which wasn’t much fun,

So I did what every good leader should do,

I had others do what I knew I could do.

Now Becca! Now Kayla!

Now, Lexi and Hailey!

Oh Jordan! Oh, Megan!

Oh Katy and Jamie!

Now grab all of the flags!

And please find the game ball!

Now put away! Put away!

Put away all!

The field was now clean, and it was time to go home,

But I was still feeling bothered as I sat there alone.

I felt kinda funny, like someone was with me,

But I knew in my heart that I was just being silly.

As I gave it more thought I was startled by ringing

that came from my phone which made me start tingling.

As I picked up my phone to see who was there,

I realized right then that that was the scare.

I was done with the phone but it continued to haunt me

I put it back on the bench but it continued to taunt me.

As much as the fear made me not want to look,

Something inside me grabbed on like a hook.

The shock that I felt was like my head getting whacked,

‘Cause what I did learn was my phone had been hacked.

For what I did see left me feeling unhealthy,

My phone had been used for what is known as a “selfie”.

So when around young people, to your phone, hold on tight,

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Selflessness, Character, and Young People

I am always in awe of people who give so selflessly of their time, but even more so when it is done by young people.

Two years ago I met two such young ladies, Brianna and Amy, who not only did everything I asked of them as managers for the Valencia High School Frosh/Soph soccer team, but they went above and beyond their duties. I still don’t know if anyone could ever equal the effort they put in that year, or the character that they showed, but this season we have four talented and amazing young ladies who might do just that.

Sarah, Dominique (Domo), Kiana (Kiki), and Skylar, managers for this years team, have not only done a terrific job of performing the duties that come with the position, but they have come out to each and every training session and have worked as hard as those that have the privilege of suiting up on game days.

Their efforts on game days has been nothing short of invaluable with field set up, scorekeeping, and stat keeping. And mostly just making the life of a tightly wound game day coach much easier.

It is such a pleasure to be around such caring, dedicated, and enthusiastic young ladies.

Each are very talented players in their own right, and could have easily walked away after tryouts and simply turned their back on the program. Or they could have come on as managers and displayed resentment toward the other players. But they have done neither.

Instead, they have accepted their roles on the team with class, dignity, and hard work. Not because I asked them to do so, but because that is simply who they are. That is who they are because they have been taught at home that life isn’t always fair, and that if you want something, you have to work for it. You have to sacrifice.

I now know that’s who they are. I know because I see it from them everyday.

In everything they do.

And that will carry them a lifetime, in whatever they do.

And So It Begins…

And so it begins. Opening day of the high school season on Thursday, and I’m excited to watch a great group of girls finally play a game, and equally excited to be on a sideline again, coaching. This year will be extra special, as along side me this year will be a couple of wonderful young ladies. Jax Anderson and Amber Torgerson, aka “Jamber”, both who have agreed to help out with the coaching this season. I knew they were special when as sophomores, playing for me during my first season at VHS, I sent the entire team home due a lack of effort (of course they all refused to leave and stayed to train), but these two young ladies, water bottles in hand, were heading to the big hill on the edge of the practice field to get some work in, whether the grumpy old man stayed or not.

Character.

They were captains that year, and were voted Midfielder of the Year, and Defender of the Year, respectfully. And now they will try and make sure I don’t do anymore dumb things.

But just in case I do, it’s great knowing that when I do send everyone home, and they decide to stay anyway, there will be two great young ladies there to lead them.