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AFM Magazine


Letters to AFC

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Dear AFM:

I am currently the offensive coordinator at the University of Loughborough in the UK, where we have won the Northern Conference championship for the past two seasons. Football is very popular over here and I want to do all that I can increase the quality of the game.

The reason for my letter is to solicit your help in finding a program (high school or college) in the US that would have a position where I could serve as a graduate assistant or volunteer coach. I realize that in order to become the best coach I can be, I need to train with the best teachers in the game. No doubt, that means coming to the US. I would do anything, "WHATEVER IT TAKES," to get the chance to learn in the US. I would be willing to volunteer if necessary, so long as I could get a job to pay for my basic living expenses (rent, food, etc.). My desire is serious and sincere; I simply want the chance to work with the best in the world. I would consider it an honor and a privilege to learn with and from a staff anywhere in the US.

If there are any programs that would be interested in helping me further my career and professional training, please have them contact your office.

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

Coach Tony Athersmith
University of Loughborough (UK)
Staffordshire, England

Note: Coach Athersmith has contacted me on several occasions concerning his desire to come to this country to work on his coaching skills. His desire and enthusiasm are real and I am convinced he would be an asset for a program. But, I think this is a fantastic opportunity for some program to obtain the experience of a lifetime. Not only would the program be in a position to assist the personal career of one coach, but also they can dramatically effect the game on an international basis. Any program interested in this can contact me or our Editor, Everett Starling, to receive a copy of Coach Athersmith's resume. BT

Dear AFM:

I just received the special AFQ University edition of your magazine and read the article about Tulsa head coach Dave Rader. Truer words have never been written about a coach and his struggle to produce good people and winning teams than the story you ran in this issue in regards to Coach Rader.

Dave is an excellent person, who puts people ahead of self. His contributions to the University of Tulsa go far beyond the field of play. It is also comforting to see a University spend money on the program for the coach who has struggled to "make it happen" under its current situation, rather than hire new people and give them all of the things the last coach needed to succeed.

You have a great magazine and a truly great concept with AFQ University. It was invigorating to see a hard working coach such as Dave Rader get the credit he so richly deserves in your publication.

Edward L. Koester
Cherokee High School
Canton, Georgia

Note: It is always gratifying when an article touches so many people. I have had numerous letters and phone calls like the one above from Coach Koester, applauding Tulsa and its AD for having the courage to look behind the wins and losses and examine the man. In every category imaginable besides W's & L's, Dave Rader stacks up as a winner. Let's see how he fares hunting elephants with a bazooka rather than a BB gun. BT

Dear AFM:

Just a note to thank you for your endeavors in organizing and presenting the AFQ University II. Attending the Orlando conference was a tremendous professional experience! You and your fine staff are to be commended.

You are also to be commended for your insight into the coaching profession by offering the best trade journal and the AFQ certification program. I am certain I will improve as a coach from both of your efforts.

Bill Lyons
Chesapeake, VA

Note: We recently (March 26-28) completed AFQ University II in Orlando. Once again, for the hundreds of coaches from across the nation and around the world in attendance, it was a great chance to learn from the best in the game and work on their degrees in our accredited continuing education program. I am certain each coach is a better professional as a result of his three days with us in Orlando. BT

Dear AFM:

You recently asked for coaches to write to you with their thoughts on what makes football so special. I have been involved in the game of football for over 55 years as a player and coach. The answer to your question comes easy to me. I have watched very closely what the game has done for the young men that made the commitment to play the game. No where else in their educational experience were they provided with the opportunity to become involved in an activity that demanded them to prepare physically, mentally and emotionally. The game is played with the body, mind and heart; all are essential to achieve success in the great game of football.

Football is a team game. The need to work together, to help each other, and to believe in each other to achieve success, is never more obvious than in the game of football. The commitment required to become a complete football player and the attitude essential to become a team member are personal qualities one needs to be successful in life. This makes the game of football so special.

Ron Schipper
Former Head Coach Central (Iowa) College
Pella, Iowa

Note: Coach Schipper's comments were echoed by many coaches who wrote or e-mailed me with their thoughts on what makes the game so special. His feelings are also very similar to a statement made at the recent AFQ University II by Stanford coach Tyrone Willingham. He said, ". . . every single day, in my dealings with my team, staff, school administrators, business associates, and my family, I use something that I learned on the football field. Never do I use anything that I learned in chemistry class." I know that Coach Willingham was not belittling chemistry and that he was being dramatic, but his point is well-taken. The lessons of team work, self-sacrifice, discipline and working together as a cohesive unit are ones that carry over into any endeavor that a young man will engage in for the rest of his life. BT






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