When I saw this photo of my youngest son, Trey, and Hugh, the boy who is responsible
for our kicking tees on gameday pictured on the front cover of our sports page, I thought of a poem that the photo so perfectly represents. It is entitled Little Eyes Upon You.
As we enter the first week of the season, I encourage all coaches to share this poem with all their players as a reminder of what it is to be a hero in the eyes of a child:
There are little eyes upon you and they’re watching night and day.
There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager to do anything you do.
And a little boy who’s dreaming of the day he’ll be like you.
You are setting an example every day in all you do.
For the little boy who’s waiting to grow up to be just like you.
Leadership is a privilege, and sometimes a title like Coach, Captain, Principal, or Manager, or Chief Executive Officer serves as a reminder of the responsibilities of leadership. In reality, we are all afforded opportunities to lead by example every day.
There are little eyes upon you. Sometimes children, sometimes peers, sometimes employees, or faculty, or members of the community watching to see in a moment of choice…Whether or not you’ll choose integrity.
Be the example every day in all you do.
For the little boy, (or girl, or staff, or faculty, or family member…) who’s waiting to grow up to be just like you.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
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