Sports have played a huge part in my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up with a father who coached football, basketball, and track for 44 years. I probably had a ball in my hand at the age of 2. I competed in different sports in high school and then played football throughout my college career. I have coached different sports at the high school and collegiate levels for the past 26 years as an assistant and head coach. I have coached men’s and women’s teams in football, basketball, and track and field. It is unbelievable how much athletes have changed over that period of time.

One huge change is that young kids suddenly became programmed to only participate in ‘organized’ sports. Very seldom do they just play outside for fun anymore. Seeing kids outside playing tag, catching in the sandlot, 3 on 3 at the tennis courts, 3 flies up, etc. is rare today. These games taught kids creativity, leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. These unorganized games developed kids physically and mentally. Kids developed competitiveness, balance, and body control. They learned how to adapt and handle defeat. There was no crying over a loss because one would get teased right off the field. Kids learned to pick themselves up and try again.