Like most families around town, ours is busy...soccer, baseball, dance class, football, basketball & karate fill our afternoons, evenings and most Saturdays. We all want to give our kiddos every opportunity and advantage, right? That's why we sign them up for sports, lessons, & extra-curricular activities...& because we want them to learn social skills, a sport (or two or three) and just have some fun. It's what I expect each season when I register my son and daughter for a new activity. What I didn't count on is the unique experience they'd get by being enrolled in a sport at the YMCA. This year has been an especially important one for my son Jack, who's been coached and mentored by some terrific Christian dads, selflessly volunteering their time. A couple of coaches, in particular, have made such a positive impact on my 1st grader, and they deserve to be bragged about!
Johnny Gussio was the head coach for the K/1 flag football team last fall. It was my son's first time playing football, and it was a great season...they even won the Super Bowl for their division! Although being a part of an undefeated team was so much fun for Jack, what he took away most from the experience was a respect for him teammates, a high level of sportsmanship, and the knowledge that his coach loved him and God. Coach Johnny has become such a hero to Jack...when we see him around town or in the carpool line, it's like Jack has spotted a celebrity. I couldn't be happier that Jack is in awe of a man who was kind to him, was in a position of authority and used it to teach good life lessons and never abused that authority, and a man who he saw pray at each practice and game. That's who I want my son looking up to.
When football season ended, Jack decided to sign up for another sport he'd never played before...basketball. I was thrilled to learn that another dad and one of the football team assistant coaches, Daniel Moran, had volunteered to be the head coach. Jack knew nothing about the game...he couldn't even dribble a ball. Coach Moran never got frustrated and always coached Jack with patience, kindness, and lots of encouragement. By the end of the season, Jack was a pro with a couple of key skills he learned...dribbling a ball and reciting the Lord's Prayer. We never had a practice or game without Coach Moran sitting with the kids and sweetly saying the Lord's Prayer. I can't begin to express my gratitude for the Christian love that was shown to my son, and of course, Jack thinks Coach Moran is a superstar!
He's right...Coach Johnny, Coach Moran and all the dads who have helped coach with them are superstars! They are stars, heroes, mentors & role models because they took the time to make a difference in my kid's life. I am grateful to them for volunteering and to the YMCA for providing a venue where these wonderful Christian men have been able to foster a relationship with my son and the sons and daughters of so many of us.
~ Staci Stewart, member, JER Chilton YMCA at Rockwall
Registration for the JER Chilton YMCA's fall football program is under way. To sign your kids up contact Bill Cadman at BCadman@YMCADallas.org or call 972-772-9622.