Just for today...

What will you do today to make a positive impact on your wrestling community, career, team, individual wrestler, assistants, head coaches, managers, athletic directors, state of KS, youth club program, education, etc?

I set a goal for each day to focus on something positive...

Make a difference in a kids life,inspire a JV kid,outwork every coach in KS,build a relationship with a youth club member,reach flow...as a partially old man:),study film with an athlete,motivate john doe to raise his grade, ask a kid how his day went, help john doe get off bottom, etc.

You get the point...I would like feedback from coaches, dads, wrestlers, moms...what will you do just for today to be a better KS wrestler/coach/fan

Beau Tillman
Pratt High School

A quote I like that goes right along with this;

“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.”
-William Arthur Ward

as a coach or teacher if you are not in it to make a difference in someone's live you are in the wrong line of work.

Thank you coach Samson.

I like that...for a minute there I was wondering if anyone in the KS wrestling community had the courage to share a positive remark for our kids on this particular thread...at least just for today

Again thank you, have a great day!

This is by far the best thread going on these forums!

Too often we as a community get so wrapped up in wins/losses/criteria/rankings that we forget that which is most important...the young men and women who are competing day in and day out. This sport, more than most, teaches important life skills that will never be taught in any high school curriculum. Wrestling helps instill the discipline, mental/physical toughness and perseverance necessary to be a successful, contributing member of society.

Today, as every day, I feel very blessed that I have the opportunity and privilege to work with the students and athletes at Leavenworth High School.

Thank you Mr. Tillman for bringing the real purpose of our great sport back into focus.

Good luck to all wrestlers and coaches for the remainder of the season!

I like to stand in the hallways between class and give everyone a high five and a smile. In the room, I strive to push each wrestler daily to grow as a competitor and person. I hope everyone has a great day, and remember smiles are contagious.

You nailed it on the head...

Thank you coach!

Good luck the rest of the season.

Smiles are definately contagious. I like that high five remark. I have witnessed an amazing glow from JV guys in the room with this simple gesture...oh and little guys love it too!

Great post Crossface King!

Have a good practice today and a great rest of the season.

I spent ten years as a volunteer coach for the Kids' circuit, three while in college and seven with my son's teams. I got to know quite a few wrestlers during all of those seasons, some of them up close and personal, others because they competed against our wrestlers or my son.

As many of these wrestlers are now Juniors and Seniors, I still talk with them at tournaments and duals, wish them luck and tell them they did great after matches. It is a pretty neat deal for me and I hope that some of them think it is neat that an old fart like me still enjoys watching them compete and follows their high school careers.

Coach Bode. Well put. Your attitude is what Kansas wrestling needs. You do indeed have a privilege and your attitude is spot on imo. Lee you are awesome! Thank you for your service and when your son moves on you better keep your butt on this forum pushing positive messages thru all the negative (including myself) b.s. that is par for the course on this type of medium.

PC,

I don't plan on going anywhere just yet. My last son just started this year and after Garrett's Senior season is done, I will likely get back into coaching for a while. I don't know if I can handle another long haul of following a son from the age of 6 1/2 through his Senior year, but if he sticks it out, I will do my best.

Lee, you can handle following a 6 year old. After following my son for 10 years, frequently driving 30 miles or more one way to practice 4 nights a week. I was kind of enjoying my evenings, But now, I am helping with a 6 year old grandson. Its really not as bad as I thought...but hearing coaches/dads yelling 'half, half, half' while the little kids are still on their feet, it takes a while to get use to again..

John,

I won't root against him to take me for another long journey. Maybe I will be posting something similar in twelve years about all the fine young men who I had the privilege coaching and others who I had the privilege of watching throughout their careers. As you know though, it can sure wear on you over the years.

My grandma always said (and I still use these)
"It doesn't cost a nickel to be nice."
"You catch more fly's with honey than you do with vinegar."

We are competitors, but like Cavanaugh said pushing positive messages through all the negative bs. I hope to see more of that. We are Kansas Wrestling...the best darn state to teach a child about life....through wrestling.

I challenge you to keep this post alive in your hallways, wrestling rooms, homes, talk forums, tournaments, and hearts.

At least just for today

Thank you all for your feedback and good luck the rest of the season...Go Kansas!