I can't believe it, but I've been assistant coaching my old high school's wrestling team for two years now. This is the second year of course, and my first year was great. This year hasn't been as exciting, but definitely a learning experience for me. It's one thing when you experience something from one angle, but you learn so much more when it's from the other side of spectrum. I was once apart of the very team that I coach. Granted there were different people and personalities, but definitely similar experiences. Here are a few things I've learned and examples of similar situations other people are in or I've been in to see the correlation...
I also have been mentoring outside of my fraternal organization and in more ways than one coaching is very similar to mentoring, tutoring, teaching, and a slew of other things. You make the correlation it is there though. When you teach someone else something you are efficient in over time you become a professional; an expert; and sought for advice on a regular basis.
One of the very first things I noticed is that I entered the coaching realm not only to give back to my high school, but to get out just as much. In teaching these young men some of the knowledge I have come to gain while wrestling through the years and the skills as well I am learning more about the sport and what I need to work on to be a better coach and wrestler. It's the endless circle of what is called reciprocity. This realization is what keeps me coming back day after day even though a lot of them are knuckle heads.
Second, if the minds of babies are like sponges, then the minds of young adolescent high school boys must be like mops! All the pick up is the dirt and grime of your day-to-day conversations. I'm not gonna front...I swear a little bit, but that's because when it comes to wrestling I'm very passionate about it. I know what I'm talking about it, because I've been doing it for over nine years. Now they're not picking up on my swearing ways but I noticed in one of my athletes that he's picking up an old habit of mine, which was an uncontrollable temper. He gets frustrated easily and I did not notice that last year. In any case I just have to watch certain things I say.
Third, I definitely don't get paid enough for the amount of time and energy I put into what I do. Along with that comes the realization that it isn't about the money, which is crazy. What means more to me is making sure these young guys take something from their experience being on the team; plain and simple.
Finally, I love my old high school, but I see myself making more of a difference with public school students or inner city youth. They actually have a program called "Beat the Streets" where they have implemented wrestling programs all over the city throughout many high schools. The thought is great, but there need to be good coaches out there and I know I can take a beginner public school and turn them into some of the most feared and respected wrestlers New York State has to offer. That's not being cocky though. That's just me being confident ;-) Wrestling is a sport that is dominated mostly by Whites, and here in NYC African-Americans and Latinos can take over this sport. They just need the right guidance.
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
I also have been mentoring outside of my fraternal organization and in more ways than one coaching is very similar to mentoring, tutoring, teaching, and a slew of other things. You make the correlation it is there though. When you teach someone else something you are efficient in over time you become a professional; an expert; and sought for advice on a regular basis.
No comments:
Post a Comment