Antioch High School Coaches Developing Student Athletes

Schools districts have been cutting funds to high school sports year after year. The cutbacks have caused some sports to completely disappear. With these cutbacks student athletes have been forced to go out and find money themselves to pay for uniforms, bus rides, athletic tape for ankles, and basic safety equipment that fits properly. Student-Athletes commonly have to pay several hundreds of dollars to play just one sport. Multi-sport athletes pay even more. Households with more than one student athlete at times find themselves having to make difficult decisions on whether or not they should let their children play at all.

In years past, sports were encouraged in school. We understood that sports helped developed our children both mentally and physically. Sports such as football would bring communities small and large together every Friday night to cheer on our youth, and show our community spirit. When we are in those stands yelling, cheering, singing, smiling, and listening to our national anthem before each game, all the worries of the economy, are bad days at work, someone cutting us off on the freeway, are boss loading on extra work, or even a long day in school seem to slip away.

The money generated from these games would be turned around and reinvested in the youth of tomorrow by purchasing new equipment and paying for the facilities upkeep that allow these children to play safely. However now the money is given to the district to be used as they see fit and sports doesn't appear to be at the top of their list.

Coaches used to be looked upon to be role models for these athletes. Coaches would volunteer their time to help develop these young minds both on the field and off. Now days it's difficult to fill these positions and have a complete staff.

The JV Football Coaches at Antioch High School understand what these student athletes have to go through to get on the field and have made it their personal goals to not let the High School Sports we all remember be a thing of the past.

Leading the way is Head Coach Mr. James who teaches at Antioch High School when he is not on the field. Anyone who has watched Coach James give a motivational speech to his team at the beginning and end of each practice would know that this Coach emphasizes the word Student-Athlete. Students in the past would receive motivation from their parents, teachers, coaches, family and community to keep their grades up so they could play sports. The athletes tried to live up to these expectations and this resulted in better grades in the classroom, more respectful students, and role models for future generations. This is what Coach James and his staff are trying to bring back.

Coach James and his supporting staff Coach Borelli, Coach Armstrong, Coach Tracy and Coach Cunningham are attempting to bring back the traditions that should have never been lost. The respect that is developed between Coach and Student-Athlete, the motivation to excel in the classroom, the encouragement to go farther than just high school and never to settle for what's handed to you.

Coach James can often be found in the classroom tutoring students and student-athletes in his off time. Parents of athletes that aren't even on his team have sought him out to help tutor their children, or to provide answers on where they can go for help.

Coach Borelli provides his time after working 12 hour shifts at his normal job. However he finds energy working and molding these Student-Athletes.

Coach Tracy smiles from ear to ear the moment he sets foot on the field and sees the team working on the techniques he spent countless hours working on with them.

Coach Armstrong endures personal sacrifices daily to be there on the field. However he never complains. He is there for the enjoyment that seeing these Antioch Panthers winning brings.

Coach Cunningham who can be found staying after most practices working with Student-Athletes who want to push themselves further. Working on their speed in the 40 yard dash. Working with running backs on new moves, linemen on pass blocking, Defensive backs on their back pedal and receivers on their routes.

These coaches aren't on the field to just win. They are there to develop these Student-Athletes. Last night was a perfect example of this. In a game against Freedom High School that was as close as any, the coaches didn't rely on just there starters. They mixed it up giving their first, second and third stringers time on the field.

But that isn't what showed that these Antioch Panthers have picked up what these coaches are trying to teach. What showed that these young men are becoming leaders is when when players came out to the practice field and wanted the coaching staff to know that they got an A, or brought up a grade in a class they weren't doing so well in.

It's when the starting QB stayed after practice and encouraged every player on the team to match him doing extra running when he could have stopped at 50 yards.

It's when the coaches were walking off the field and looked back to see 15 players putting in extra running so they could be better.

It's when at half time one of the defensive players stood up and gave his own inspirational speech after Coach James was done.

It's when a player reminded his coach that he would probably be out running with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble if it wasn't for football.

It's when practices are missed more because of studying and tutoring instead of punishment and skipping.

And it's when the Student-Athletes bring their parents to meet their coaches or when the parents show up on their own to thank them for the changes they see in their children this year.

I hope coaches like this don't disappear completely. I hope the school board realizes what it means to have Student-Athletes and coaches who coach Student-Athletes, not coaches who just want to prove they can coach. I hope money is again reinvested into High School Sports.

Maybe we will have to wait for these future leaders from Antioch High School JV Football squad to force that change.