More Then Just a Game
I have been fortunate to be involved in sports at all levels, and seen some pretty amazing events like World Cups, Stanley Cups, World Series, NBA Finals, and youth championship tournaments, but a few years ago I was witness to one of the great sports moments that touches a heart at the deepest level.
It was the finals of a local youth soccer tournament. After the match ended, the coach was able to put a medal around the neck of his assistant coach’s, and then suddenly broke down crying. That coach’s assistant was his father, who was 84 years old and had enjoyed one more fall season sharing his love for soccer.
Did those ten and eleven year old girls have even the slightest idea that this man had been a legendary player in his youth, or that his dreams of playing professional soccer and maybe representing his country were shattered by the events of WWII? No, of course not – perhaps they looked at the father and son duo and thought this might be an elaborate eldercare chore.
Sports offers so many lessons, but if young players just participate with blinders on; only worrying about playing time, what position they play, or any of another hundred non-important aspects — the burn out rate, and the “My Coach Doesn’t Like Me” attitude will never change.
It is so important for parents to let children play without the ritual routine of analyzing the game to death in the car afterwards. I heard a great quote that the best thing a parent can say is “I love watching you play.” Why don’t more parents say this to their young soccer players?
Do not mistake my hallmark card rambling to lead you to believe that I think all kids deserve a participation trophy, or that competition is bad. Competition is important and coaches demanding accountability helps kids mature. This is all part of the development process.
I was that son who presented his dad with the medal. I am grateful for all my dad taught me, and the sports lessons he imparted about being the stud player, the substitute, the leader, and the good teammate. I miss my father everyday, as he passed away in October of 2013.
I was relieved of my duties as the coach of a U-11 team, because we lost to our own club’s U-10 squad in the President’s Cup, and because having such an older assistant coach seemed to bother the parents. For me, with a FIFA Director Tecnico Coaching Title, I realize the value of experience and knowledge, and if I had to have my father as my assistant coach, and share those amazing moments with the man who taught me everything, I would do it 100 times out of 100. Only I would hope those around me benefited more.
About Eric Simpson: A proud son of a Holocaust Survivor who then became a U.S. citizen and Army Veteran. Has been involved in professional sports from an early age, spending a few years in the visiting locker room of the L.A. Kings in the NHL. He then moved to Mexico City to obtain the FIFA Coaching License, and worked with Professional Futbol teams for a several years.
