During a heart to heart conversation many years ago, I asked my step-dad what he remembered most about playing ball. He took a few moments and I could see the memories flashing through his mind. He smiled for a few minutes and a wave of emotions came over him.
“Coach Fabris” he said. (Notice the first thing he mentioned was the name of his Coach)….
“Coach Fabris was a great man! He played Defensive End for Tulsa and even played in the Gator Bowl! He was prob 28 at the time this happened…but he was driving our team bus as we went to play Chattanooga City High School! As the bus rolled down Dodd’s Avenue…we passed Central High school’s baseball fields….the “Purple Pounders” It was different back then! We sat quietly on the bus and….suddenly…we looked down and saw a young man wearing one of our football jerseys standing in the outfield! Coach stopped the bus and before we knew what was going on….HE GOT OFF THE BUS! He demanded the jacket from the young man….and told him he wasn’t representing the jacket well and to take it off!”
Ladies and gentlemen……that memory is nearly 60 years old! That memory…that moment lives on today! “Coach Fabris”…of Rossville High School in Rossville, Ga sold integrity in that football team that day when he stopped that bus…..how to act as a representative of the name on the back and on the front of the jersey! He sold honor, pride, and excellence in his young men! How good of a salesman was he??!! For 60 years the story has been told about this man….
I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO PLAY FOR COACH FABRIS! DANG RIGHT I WOULD! I WOULD HAVE WENT TO WAR FOR HIM!
DO YOU HAVE A COACH FABRIS STORY? We all had a teacher or coach that was just plain changed the way we saw our lives! Years, maybe decades later we look back on that person and want to talk to them….to thank them….for influencing us. Then it hits us….subconsciously we were looking at our Coach Fabris and saying….
Coach Me Coach!
As a student athletes, its natural to subscribe to the belief that the men and women that serve us as educators….are there simply for a job. Not until many years later do you realize that each of your educators had a lifelong impact on you and the life you are living today.
During a conversation with one of my high school coaches, Coach Klein, we were discussing what we wanted our students and players in particular, to remember. What philosophy we wanted our pupils …..our studies…the products of our time and training..to reflect on during the formative years of their lives and beyond. Coach Klein was one of the few teachers I had….who even though I wasn’t the best athlete….treated me like I was ALL-REGION! He made such an impact on me…I can remember getting mad in class when anyone would act up! I was saying……
Coach Me Coach!
A few days after our conversation…..I decided to ask 6 distinct people the following question:
“If you could communicate one philosophy to each and every student and student athlete you have taught…what would it be and why?!”
The 6 distinct people included the following people:
-A retired high school and Junior College Latin instructor…
-A high school football and baseball coach……MY COACH
-A Texas high school teacher and personal trainer…
-An SEC Head Football Coach…
-A Division II defensive coordinator…..
-An SEC Special Teams Assistant Coach
In random order…these were the responses,
“Prioritize. Honestly that could be an open forum, but for me it means putting God’s Will first and letting Him rule my decisions. Second would be focus, which might be similar to the first except it would relate to team activities, like training, running, and everything that goes into being a contributing team member. Spiritual, then physical and emotional are interwoven.”
“That no matter how bad things look we must look beyond what we see with the carnal eye. And the WHY is because had I not done that I would have only seen the path I stood upon NOT where I could go!!”
“Success Is Simply Momentary! You can never be satisfied“
“Respect the team! Do whats best for the Team…even if that is something you don’t want to do. If your ego won’t allow you to do that…..GET OUT!”
“Perfecting the little things in life and ‘on field. They need to understand the importance of doing the little things right all the time. This requires discipline and a lot of practice. Having pride in who they are…and what they do….releases strong energy into the world. With great discipline many great things happen. So, work on the little things because eventually a little turns into a lot!”
“Always remember why you do what you do!! Not for money or fame but for your LOVE of the game and the all encompassing effect of “THE TEAM”! Also, that you represent the name on the back of the jersey a whole lot more than the name on the front! If you remember these things you will never stray from the principles that got you where you are and you can climb to great heights.”
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After listening to these individuals pour our their philosophies of education to me…I had to sit back and realize how fortunate I was to be influenced by them. I began to think about all of the academic rigor and training that these people….these mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, community members, counselors, therapists, and most of all…mentors had dedicated themselves to in order to enrich our lives.
Regardless of where we are in life…or what we think our role is….we have to realize that we all are communicating a philosophy….something that people will remember us by…something that will become the stuff of legend…
WE ARE SELLING SOMETHING…..OURSELVES…..
Think about this….
-The kid in the neighborhood that rides his bike by your house each day when you get home……He’s watching your example. He’s saying… Coach Me Coach!
-The coworker who asks you about your experiences as a college athlete……they are asking because you have influence. They are saying…. Coach Me Coach!
-The neighbor who comes over each Saturday with beer…telling you about his yard and car…….he sees a friend and neighbor in you. He is saying…Coach Me Coach!
-The rental car agent that you begrudgingly have to do business with twice a month….that really wants to know how you obtained success. He or She is saying….Coach Me Coach!
-And….the person whom you don’t even realize….that knows WHO you are from your days as a student athlete or a coach…..that likes you…they have you on a pedestal…..and they look at your success as there own……..THEY ARE SCREAMING….Coach Me Coach!
So………REALITY CHECK! The IN YOUR FACE question to ask yourself this week:
WHAT ARE YOU COACHING TODAY?!
WHAT MESSAGE ARE YOU SENDING TO THE WORLD?!
WHAT “COACH FABRIS” STORIES WILL ONE DAY BE TOLD ABOUT YOU?
What is your personal philosophy?! If you don’t have one…spend a few minutes this week asking yourself what you want your legacy to be as a professional, family member, friend, parent, son, daughter, church member, small group leader, boyfriend, girlfriend……..Coach, President, CEO, etc….
-What will your “players” say about you 60 years from now?
-What stories will they tell their children when they are reminiscing about their glory days?!
TRUST ME! YOU WANT TO BE THE PERSON THAT COACHED THEM INTO ADULTHOOD!
So, this week…….
Open your eyes to the world around you…who is silently screaming….
Coach Me Coach!?
I love you guys!
CoachKD
#CoachMeCoach
coachkd.org 