LAST July 6, 2019, I had the privilege to give a welcome to the AdDU coaches during their annual Coaches General Assembly. Sharing this to all coaches as we start the school year and the competitions: Coach Noli, sports coordinators, dearest coaches, good morning. Several years ago, I was in your shoes as well. As I look in the people in this assembly, there are veteran coaches, and some are just relatively new — such a right mix for growth as individuals and as an organization.
“There is power in understanding the journey of others to help create your own”-Kobe Bryant
May this assembly encourage us to share our different journeys so that we can learn and grow together. It takes humility to acknowledge that we can learn from others, that there is always room for improvement in our crafts. We open ourselves to different experiences and watch out for the “coaching points” where we can learn a thing or two to improve our work as coaches.
Engaging in sports is a commitment. And just like most commitments, it needs time and effort for it to bear fruit. Consistency and patience in what we do will make it blossom.
Humility, consistency and patience. Qualities of people in a Jesuit Institution in which we are all part.
Values reflected in the Prayer for Generosity.
Dearest Lord,
Teach me to be generous
Teach me to serve you as you deserve
(Humbling ourselves that we are serving the Lord through our commitment to coach and not because of our desires for glory and honor.)
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not seek for rest,
To labor and not to seek reward.
(Consistently doing things even if they are hard knowing that it is the right thing to do and pursue to fulfill our commitment as coaches)
Except, that of knowing, that I do your will.
Amen.
(Patience to accept the fruits of our labor, knowing that we are instruments of the Lord thru our coaching and engagements in sports.)
We will fail. We will experience shortcomings. We are not perfect, but we can always be the best at what we do.
Be the best mentor to the student-athletes under our care.
Be the best colleague to fellow coaches
Be the best coach, today, every day. Make It Happen.