Thursday, July 30, 2009
America's Character Coach
Just finished two weeks of basketball camp with Rolando Lamb, America's Character Coach (www.coachlamb.webs.com), at Cool Spring Church Rec Center. This camp focuses on the "Making of Champions." Designed to teach basketball skill development and character, it was amazing to watch kids grow from the first day to the last. From first graders to ninth graders, (boys and girls) they learned endurance, perseverance, and finishing the race. For many, they were challenged with new physical exercises and basketball skills. And some struggled. For me, being a part of this camp as a worker and parent, reminded me of the difficulties this world brings and how the weaknesses of my life wants to give in to not enduring or persevering. But in the end, when we have endured, the prize is great. The joy of celebration for those kids as they were presented with character awards, certificates, and camp shirts, made it all worth it. They walked away with a better understanding of who they are and who they can become - a champion. "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14.
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Here's an opposing view: I'm not Coach Lamb's biggest fan. I ask "made all what" worth it? Pushing kids without mercy, grace, or compassion until they reach a physical breaking point? Under the guise of character building? By telling young children that if they don't endure physical conditioning beyond their current fitness level that they are without character and are failures? After observing Coach Lamb's camp and hearing his opinion of children as "couch potato, nose-picking Twinkie eaters" it is my opinion that he doesn't practice the fruits of the spirit but instead only yells them at the campers from his bully pulpit.
ReplyDeleteAs a mother of a female athlete, who has trained under Coach Ronnie Lamb, I have to put my 2 cents in also. My daughter helped out at the girls camp this is and it was a great experience for her. She did comment on how hard the campers had to work. She experienced this hard work under many coaches and coaching types. She likes Coach Ronnie. She didn't know Ronaldo until the camp. He did make the campers work. My daughter now has now a better respect of what coaches go through to coach teams. I think she now realizes the truth to the phrase "No Pain, Go Gain" Athletes do need to be pushed beyond their level to improve their skills. Granted, some coaches push harder than they should. And sometimes their terminology isn't what we would use. So, if you don't like the coaches method, then just pull your child out of the program. Thanks Greg for bring Coach Ronnie and Coach Ronaldo to CSBC.
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