Letter to the Editor

"Hi Eddie..." I don't think so.
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Sometimes when you do something day after day, you lose sight of the importance of what you are doing. Toyou, it becomes "just a job". Do you ever coast through the day on cruise control? Teach classes. Go to practice.Look at film. Is it that way for other people you come into contact with during your work week?

Do you ever wonder if the dentist is really thinking about you and your cavity, or is he just performing another filling, while daydreaming of his upcoming vacation to Hawaii? Does the airline pilot take off, fly the plane, and land with the same casual attitude a truck driver has as he rolls down the highway listening to Garth Brooks?

I ask the questions to illustrate a point. I know every coach has an almost unequaled opportunity to touch and affect the lives of more young people than he can possibly imagine. But I wonder if every coach thinks about the example hesets for his athletes. Does he think about the fact that he is a mentor for the players on his squad, whether it's inthe classroom, the cafeteria, or on the practice fields. What about how he conducts himself on the sideline during a game? For many kids, a coach is more of a role model that their own fathers?

AS popular bumper sticker reads "WWJD?" It stands for, "What would Jesus do?" An excellent sentimentand a great way to conduct your life. But I think a coach should ask himself daily, "What should their coach do?"Should he cuss? Should he smoke cigarettes? Should he belittle his opponents? Etc.

At the risk of being overly dramatic, I will confess that I believe it is impossible to overestimate the value of a coach in a young man's life. I once heard a saying that has been the guiding principleby which I attempt to raise my own three children. It goes like this, "long after they forget what you say, they will never forget what they see you do."

If that is true, can you afford to have a "bad day"? I know a QB can be off and go 10 for 27 with two interceptions.Or, a RB can fumble three times. But, can you afford to lose it and show a side of you that you would immediately like to take back? I would venture a guess that no player on your team would ever forget what they saw from you duringsuch an episode. Coaches should consider that their actions are far more important than any lesson taught on the practice field.

Wanna' test? Ask yourself these two questions: Do you recall your high school football coach's first name? If the answer is yes, ask yourself this, what would you say if you ran in to him tommorrow in the mall?

Would you say, "Hi Eddie.." Or, "Hi Steve...?" Unless you are much differnet than virtually every other grown man I know,your answer is you would say, "Hi Coach...Hi Coach Jones."

This should be evidence enough for you to realize the role you have in the life of each and every player you come in contactwith. They will never see you as a contemporary, but more of someone who has a special title and a special place in their heart. Think about it.

Sincerely yours,

Barry Terranova
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