75 pound ball of fire

[TWDJ]

Creating a successful athletic program is not so difficult ... creating the consistancy over time is what seperates the "powerhouse" programs from the others. You need administrators, coaches and parents to keep that tradition of excellence alive.

When I was in high school (my school bus was a dinosaur!), there was a long-standing tradition of success in the wrestling program.

The head coach had been there for 20 years.
All his assistants had been all-state champions for the team from prior years.
You didn't lose ... you needed to learn more.
The program reached down to the 5th grade level.
College level students would come back during the Christmas break to work out with the team.
The coaches never lost site that it should be FUN!!

By the time a kid was in high school, he could have been wrestling in an age appropriate program for 3 years. He knew the basics VERY well. He knew what to expect in terms of conditioning and discipline.

Being a varsity wrestler almost guaranteed a scholarship of some kind as there was also a emphasis on scholastics. No one wrestled without a 2.5 GPA with nothing less that a "C".

 

[TwistedCU]

You know what i find weird? How a town and high school can breed good athletes in a specific sport. Like Andover the rich town over, breeds hockey and lacrosse players like they were built in a science lab. Its amazing that they can carry their reign over so long. I dont understand how they continually have a good program. I know it starts lower on the younger kids. But im telling you they're like pros.

While I agree it must be a tradition and attitude amongst players, parents, and administrators as well, I believe the core of all great athletic programs is coaching. You can compromise all other factors, but without a good coach teams fail.

They have to be coaches, motivators, counselors, and sometimes even parent-like. You can't coach ability, but ability alone won't get you too far.

 

[Sparky-Watts]

You can't coach ability, but ability alone won't get you too far.

:agree: Very well put.

Andale, the small town just to the south of us, has a long history of strength in football. However, it's not just the coaches there. They haven't had a lot of longevity in coaching staff to speak of, but they have had quality coaches come and go. When there is a football game, whether it be at home or away, the Andale bleachers are always packed to SRO. Those people schedule their lives around the varsity and junior varsity football games. Every business in town roots for them, and goes out of their way to accomodate the team. They will close up shop early on game night so they won't miss the kickoff. Most every coach over the past 30 years has been a previous Andale player, so they know the town, they know the history, and they have the respect of the players and fans alike. I've seen their practices and I've seen the practices of other teams. Andale's practices are grueling, even by high school standards. Way tougher than the other school's practices I've seen. But, talk to the kids that play, and not a one of them thinks it's tough. They brush it off like it was nothing, and are still ready for more when the coach sends them home each evening after practice. Why? Pride in what they do, pride in their school, pride in their town. Also, support from each other, the coaches, the parents, the fans, and the entire town. I've said this before, and I'll say it again: Attitude makes or breaks you, no matter what you are doing. Those kids have the right attitude to go out every game and succeed, and to learn from their mistakes with a positive attitude. That's what makes towns that breed great sports at the highschool level.

 

[dropseys]

I remember being in soccer at 8 and some guy was on our side of the field screaming curses at us. Turned out his kid was on the other team. Talk about out of control over bearing fanatic. I'm sure his kid left sports or lost the fun part of it. Sad how some people do that.