ESPN Donates $100,000 to Up2Us Sports

ESPN has announced it will grant $100,000 to Up2Us Sports to hire and train veterans to serve as youth-sports coaches in underserved communities in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Up2Us Sports' innovative coaching program provides returning, post-9/11 veterans the opportunity to transition to a career in sports while giving back to their community as a coach to as-risk youth. Veterans are hired and placed in youth sports programs that focus on using athletics to inspire life skills development among at risk youth. "Active service members and veterans are an important part of the fabric that makes up ESPN—these incredible individuals are our employees, our family members, our fans," said Kevin Martinez, vice president of Corporate Citizenship. "We are honored to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for us."

Tune in to ESPN this week for special programming and tributes honoring active military and veteran heroes. On Veterans Day,SportsCenter will be telecast from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and First Take will be live from Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass. ESPN also will televise the annual Armed Force Classic college basketball game on Friday from a U.S. Marine Corps base in Okinawa, Japan. For more information, visit www.ESPN.com/Citizenship.

My Visit to the Up2Us Sports Office In Philadelphia

Back in April, we posted a blog that our Philadelphia-based Senior Regional Manager, Claire Perry, wrote on why she loves being an assistant coach for a local girl’s high school basketball team. She spoke of the connection she has to the girl’s on the team and how important those relationships have become to her. Today, we’re going to hear from one of those girls. Maddie Maio is a sophomore JV/Varsity swing player at Central Bucks West High School, where Claire is her assistant coach. This past summer, Maddie and another teammate of hers spent a day interning in our Philadelphia Up2Us Sports office. This is her story. -

I first  learned about Up2Us Sports from my CB West basketball coach, Claire Perry. She and I had the opportunity to talk on a personal level when I was injured and standing on the sidelines watching my teammates play. Coach Claire mentioned to me about her work at Up2Us Sports, and I immediately became interested because of the program’s focus on the power of sport to support underserved youth. She told me and my teammate that we could visit her work site in Philadelphia to learn more about what Up2Us Sports was all about.

At the end of August, Coach Claire drove me and my teammate to her office in Philly. I had spoken with my parents about visiting as both of them grew up in Philadelphia and they were familiar with the area. They mentioned the area was different than the town we live; different schools, buildings, people, and parks. I had no idea what to expect.

Once we got into her office, we met some of the Up2Us Sports staff and had the opportunity to play squash with coaches from SquashSmarts, an organization that teaches squash and provides academic support to kids within North and West Philadelphia. As a member of the network of organizations that Up2Us Sports supports, SquashSmarts hosts two coaches through Up2Us Sports’ Coach Across America (CAA) program. I, fortunately, was taught and played with these two CAA coaches, Tempest and Rabbi. It was such a fun and amazing experience to learn how to play squash with the both of them. Even though my teammate and I weren’t very good at first, they were so encouraging, energetic, positive, and patient with us and they turned us into experts (well, almost) by the end. As I write this, we are dying to get back onto a squash court to play against each other because of Tempest and Rabbi.

After we were done playing, we had an opportunity to sit down with Tempest and Rabbi to talk to them about their lives and about how much squash has helped them turn their lives around in a positive direction. They value the importance and impact that squash had on their lives. They found it had helped them through tough times and positively affected their development psychologically, emotionally, and socially in ways they never thought possible. Without squash, they wouldn’t be where they are today, and they have the program SquashSmarts to thank for that. As CAA Coaches, they’ve received over 30 hours of sports-based, youth development coach training and are excited to receive more training to develop the skills necessary to provide a positive experience to the kids they coach and hope to serve as coach mentors, combining both sport and life skill coaching as they support the SquashSmarts kids both on and off the court.

As we drove back home with Coach Claire, we reflected on our time with Up2Us Sports and SquashSmarts. Hearing Tempest and Rabbi’s stories really opened my eyes and showed me the benefits and positive impact sports can have on someone’s life. I never thought playing a sport would be a way to help kids going through challenges in their lives, but Up2Us Sports showed me it can completely turn a child’s life around for the better. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have spent the day learning about the great work Up2Us Sports does for youth and coaches in the Philadelphia area. It has truly changed my view of sports’ impact on my life. I can’t wait for this upcoming summer so I can go again!

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The Lady Bucks kick off their 2015-16 season in November. They finished the 2014-15 season as PIAA State Runner-Up, D1 Champions, and SOL Champions with a 32-2 record. Follow along with Maddie and the team this season on Twitter at @CBWGBB.

From a Coach: Serving the Los Angeles Community with Up2Us Sports

By Coach Gerry ZatarainHollenbeck Police Activity League -

I hear a voice scream, “Coach Gerry!” I turn around and see a hand waiting for a high five.

I have to say that is the best feeling ever!

I am Coach Gerry out of the Boyle Heights Hollenbeck Police Activity League (PAL).  Soccer has been in my life since I can remember, watching games at home with family, playing in the park and participating in soccer leagues all across Los Angeles.

I am truly blessed to be doing what I love to do and to have opportunities to give back to the community in such a positive, vibrant, and creative way. Up2Us Sports’ training helped me become a better coach and mentor—allowing me to witness my players discover how much they can grow as an athlete and a person.

Last Saturday, October 24, I attended a Service Day with the Up2Us Sports Los Angeles team at Heninger Elementary in Santa Ana. First, I want to say that I think it’s awesome that Up2Us Sports does helpful things like this for the community. My experience was amazing! From the beginning to the end, I felt there was love, happiness and companionship. It was obvious that everybody’s purpose that day was to help.

We started the day with a great orientation, which set the tone for the rest of the day. Being able to work next to good people and people that love what they are doing, made it feel comfortable. I could just feel the good vibes in the air. With everyone productive and committed we finished faster than we thought, which gave us time to talk and get to know each other a little better.

We were happy to be able to work on both the inside and outside of the school. While working outside, some of us were surprised at the type of plants that were chosen to be potted; they were water friendly plants. These gave the yard a welcoming feel and a meaningful message: don’t waste so much water. Inside, the colors chosen for the classroom were a combination of blues and grays. After it was finished, the room was left with a sense of calmness, comfort, and a sense of welcoming.

The end of this event was very significant to me because it gave me the opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills from some great people. I also got the chance to catch up with some coaches that I haven’t seen since our Chicago training [National Coach Training Institute]. The best thing about the day was the look in the Principal’s eyes when she saw the completed project. She was truly appreciative and excited to have this room ready for her teachers to enjoy on Monday morning.

I am glad I was part of this Service Day, and can’t wait for the next one. It feels good to work together and give a helping hand to the community as a team. It’s one step closer to making this world a better place.

Support Up2Us Sports on Give Miami Day

Up2Us Sports is partnering with The Miami Foundation and the Marlins Foundation for Give Miami Day on November 19, 2015.  This 24-hour provides giving period boosts donations to registered non-profits making a difference in the Miami community.  Donations to Up2Us Sports will provide coach-mentors to guide at-risk youth to make better decisions that lead to their lifelong success. View the Up2Us Sports Give Miami Day profile here. 

Donations made on Give Miami Day will be eligible for a bonus match from partners of The Miami Foundation.  All donations are tax deductible.  Email lcavallo@up2ussports.org for more info.

Fill out the form below to pledge your support.

THE WINNING TEAM: Meet Coach Beth

What does the small town of Memel, South Africa have in common with New Orleans? Her name is Beth Henkle (pictured in red) and she has left her mark in both places by using sport to affect change in the lives of underserved youth. After graduating from Bard College with a degree in Anthropology, Beth worked with a small nonprofit called SheWinS. She travelled to Memel to teach soccer as part of an after school program to 150 girls in first through seventh grades. While in South Africa, she realized her passion for using sports to make an impact in the lives of young girls. She wanted to do more and learn more, so she came back to the United States, where she found out about Up2Us Sports and Coach Across America (CAA).

In the fall of 2014, Beth started her CAA term at KIPP Central City School in New Orleans as part of a brand new initiative. Up2Us Sports placed 20 coaches in one school to facilitate a structured recess and after school sports-learning curriculum. The urban school had limited space, which was a unique challenge for the Vermont-raised Coach. Beth shared that, “in terms of managing so many kids at once and making sure [recess] stations were separate, it was hard at times. These are small things that you don’t really think about when you’re from a very rural environment and used to having large amounts of land.” They had limited access to the outdoor courtyard area, and had to use classrooms for coaching. Having 12-15 children dribbling soccer balls in a classroom around desks and chairs wasn’t always ideal, but Beth and her fellow coaches made it work.

Soccer was relatively unknown to kids in Central City, but with Beth’s influence, the KIPP students adapted and learned to love it. This was a key moment of success for her. “Soccer is not as popular here among kids as where I’m from, so it was exciting to see so many kids have their interest sparked in this great game.” Beth is also proud of her work with the young female students at KIPP. She made sure to connect with the girls that were on the periphery at recess - the ones who preferred to be gossiping or not participating or shyly standing alone. At an age where recognizing their emotions is not easy, Beth introduced them to journaling as an outlet for releasing their thoughts and feelings. At times, the girls would confide in Beth on what they wrote, even though it wasn’t required. For them, she had become not just their coach, but a mentor. One girl, Mariah, said journaling “helped her deal with some of the frustrations she was feeling in life and, in turn, is now receiving fewer deductions and staying more focused in class.”

Stories like Mariah’s have made the largest impact for Beth. “I think ultimately, this experience has just solidified what I want to do. In South Africa, I was in a very new program and there wasn’t much research behind it, it wasn’t labeled sports-based youth development (SBYD), even though that’s what we were doing. Coming here, going through [National Coach Training] Institute and realizing this is happening with so many people involved across the country—this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” Discovering that her passion has a name and a movement, with Up2Us Sports leading the way through ground-breaking research and one-of-a kind training, has inspired Beth to pursue a career in the SBYD field.

Now, a few months out from finishing her term at KIPP, Beth is back home in Vermont studying for the GRE with plans of obtaining a Masters in Public Administration (MPA). She is excited at the thought of going back to school and expanding her knowledge, but also sharing the experiences she’s had so far and spreading the message of the power of SBYD.

Beth isn’t too concerned about knowing exactly what comes after two years of school, because she knows she has found the world she was born to be in. It’s easy to hear the passion in her voice as she talks about why she loves coaching: “The thing I find the most satisfying is empowering youth to feel like they can use their voice. When a young girl really feels that she can speak up and be heard, especially in sports, they are standing up a little taller and feeling more confident. When they can say ‘we’re girls and we can do this and this is our thing and we’re strong and we’re awesome’ - helping them find that voice is what I love the most.”

Doubles Tennis Champion Pam Shriver Joins Up2Us Sports as Ambassador

Up2Us Sports is happy to announce that doubles tennis champion and Olympic gold medalist, Pam Shriver, has joined the organization as an Ambassador. Shriver - who captured 21 singles titles and 112 doubles titles in her illustrious career - will connect with youth participating in sports by sharing experiences from her athletic career and helping to relay the message that coaches trained in sports-based youth development make a difference in the lives of young people. “For two years I have been aware of what Up2Us Sports is about. By training sports coaches to work with at-risk urban youth through their Coach Across America program, they are creating a powerful force of trained coaches who are helping these kids find trusting mentors that can help them make safe, healthy choices. It's important that coaches know how to teach multiple sports, but even more vital that the coach-mentors understand child/human development so that they can help navigate the many minefields that are too prevalent in poor, urban neighborhoods,” said Shriver. “I’m thrilled to continue working with this incredibly impactful organization.”

Since 2013, Pam has been involved in outreach we’ve done in the Los Angeles area. She attended our 2013 Los Angeles Coach Training Institute, hosted a tennis clinic in 2014 for kids from South Central Los Angeles and, just last month, sat on a panel with various Los Angeles stakeholders to discuss the power of coaches to decrease youth violence.

Follow Pam on her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Panel in Los Angeles on Coaching to Prevent Youth Violence

On Tuesday, September 22, Up2Us Sports presented a panel of distinguished experts for a discussion on violence prevention strategy and goals, moderated by Founder and CEO, Paul Caccamo. The primary objective of the panel was to focus people’s attention on the power trained sports-based youth development coaches have to help kids say no to violence and make better decisions.

The panel included influential Los Angeles community members who are experts in the space and are passionate about reducing youth violence in Los Angeles and around the country. Panelists included:

• Megan Bartlett, Chief Program Officer, Up2Us Sports;

• Blake Chow, Commanding Officer - West Bureau, Los Angeles Police Department

• Bruce McCall Jr., Sports Program Lead, Sheriff’s Youth Foundation

• Pam Shriver, Olympic gold medalist in tennis and ESPN commentator

• Anne Tremblay, Director, Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development

• George Weaver, Vice President of Child Development and Special Programs, Brotherhood Crusade.

The panelists spoke candidly about the current situation in Los Angeles, the role trained coaches can play in youth crime and violence prevention and the efforts that are being made by the LAPD, LA Sheriff’s Department, LA Mayor’s office and others to help combat the epidemic.

The panel was attended by nearly 100 guests, including a new cohort of Coach Across America coaches who were attending the Up2Us Sports National Coach Training Institute in Los Angeles.

Rugby Legend Phaidra Knight on the World Cup, the Olympics, and the Growth of the Sport in America

Phaidra Knight wears many hats as a professional athlete, brand ambassador, sports agent, and motivational speaker - but one she doesn’t yet wear is that of an Olympian. She hopes to change that soon. Named USA Rugby’s Player of the Decade in 2010, the two-time All World honoree is currently training for the chance to compete in Rio next summer as part of the first-ever U.S. Olympic women’s rugby team. Up2Us Sports recently caught up with Phaidra to talk everything rugby, including her passion to make sure youth all over the world have a chance to play the game she loves.

Up2Us Sports: The Men’s Rugby World Cup started last week. Who do you think will win?

Phaidra Knight: Based on the impressive performances during the first round of pool play, it could honestly be anyone's game. Japan pulled off the biggest upset in rugby history, defeating the Springboks of South Africa. But based on their impressive record, attention to detail, discipline, and outstanding come from behind win versus Argentina, I believe that the New Zealand All Blacks will repeat.

Up2Us Sports: How is Team USA expected to do?

PK: According to some recent interviews with Team USA players and an article in the Wall Street Journal, the Eagles have their minds set on advancing to the quarterfinals. After a loss to Samoa in their first pool game, they will have their work really cut out for them to earn a spot in the quarters with matches remaining against South Africa, Japan, and Scotland.

Up2Us Sports: You’ve played in three World Cups yourself, and were twice named an All World Team Honoree. Can you talk a bit about what the World Cup experience is like?

PK: The World Cup experience is like nothing in the world. Rugby becomes our total focus, not only for the 2-3 weeks of playing in the World Cup, but also for the year leading up to it. The team gathers for one to two months leading up to the World Cup to train in residency in an effort to fine tune for the big dance. It's an incredible time for team bonding. Once we reach the World Cup, our primary tasks are to play, train, recover, review film, and discuss strategy. The twelve competing countries all reside on a common campus, which is pretty cool. There is opportunity to form new friendships while playing the best rugby in the world.

Up2Us Sports: What is your favorite World Cup memory?

PK: My favorite World Cup memory was the entire 2006 World Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We finished with a record of 4-1. It was representative of an outstanding performance by Team USA led by a pretty talented staff.

Up2Us Sports: For anyone who doesn’t know a lot about the sport, but are interested in watching the World Cup, can you share a few basic rules or must-know facts to the game?

PK: A few basic rules that anyone who doesn't know the sport should know is that in rugby, only lateral or backwards passes are permitted as opposed to the forward pass commonly used in American football. Rugby is also continuous, barring an infraction, so when someone is tackled, play does not stop. A ruck occurs, which is a contest for possession of the ball. When scoring a try (which is similar to a touchdown in American football), the player must ground the ball under control using their hands. In American football, there are unlimited substitutions, but in rugby there are limitations on the amount of players that can be substituted into a match. In rugby 15s, only seven substitutions are allowed, and in Sevens only five are allowed. Generally speaking, players cannot return to play once they have left the game unless within a certain time frame for a blood-related injury. In rugby, only a mouthguard is required to play, whereas, in American football, padding and a helmet are required.

Up2Us Sports: Earlier this summer, the U.S. Men and Women's Sevens teams qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics - which has the sport back for the first time since 1924. It will be the first appearance of women’s rugby on the Olympic stage and you’re currently training to be on that team. Tell me a bit about the process, your training and what the outlook is for Team USA next summer.

PK: The pathway to becoming an Olympic player starts with an athlete playing exceptionally with their club/collegiate team to reach the representative level. Available to players more frequently now are development academies and camps where players can showcase their talents to national team selectors/influencers. Once a player is identified as having potential to play at the international level, they may receive an invite to attend a national team camp, which allows the player to train with current members of Team USA. Based on their performance, they may receive an invitation to train in residency at the Olympic Training Center (OTC), tour with Team USA or with the developmental team.

My training is a little different from the majority of the Olympic pool players presently. I spent the first six months of this year training in residency at the OTC and have since then, been training on my own, working with various rugby and athletic specialists. I am significantly older than the other players in the Olympic pool, so some elements of my training and recovery are little different.

The outlook for Team USA, both men and women, is very optimistic. The women recently experienced a coaching change, with former Eagle and Team USA coach, Julie McCoy, being brought back to lead the team to the 2016 Olympics. She has experienced a great deal of personal growth and coaching success since her last stint with the team.  She and her staff will be working closely with the USA men's coaching staff (arguably the best Sevens coaches in the world), Mike Friday and Chris Brown, to cultivate an Olympic medal contending team. The USA men jumped from 13th to 5th place in less than 12 months under the leadership of their coaching staff. They also had less than a 20% chance of qualifying for the Olympics. With growing support from USA Rugby and CEO, Nigel Melville, I look forward to great things from the USA in the next 12 months.

Up2Us Sports: The World Cup plays 15s - which is the traditional version of rugby - but the Olympics will have Sevens. Can you talk about the difference between the two?

PK: The biggest difference between the two is the additional eights players per side on the field in 15s, making for a much larger coverage area for the players in Sevens. Instead of a scrum of eight (in 15s), there is only a front row (two props and a hooker) in Sevens. The game of 15s is played for two 40-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime, whereas Sevens features seven-minute halves with a one-minute halftime (10-minute halves with two-minute halftimes for championship matches). More points are typically scored in Sevens games than in 15s.

Up2Us Sports: You have represented Team USA on both the Eagles and Sevens teams – do you have a personal preference between the two?

PK: In 15s, as a flanker, it was my job to follow the ball. That allowed me to roam freely about the field. I loved playing that role. I didn't necessarily have to be a cog in the wheel. I had a free pass to push the limits of the game, setting the tone in many instances. However, I really love the wide open nature of the Sevens game. Although there is a greater field territory to cover with just seven players, there is more space both before and after a line break, which is something I have grown to love. Candidly speaking, although the players in Sevens are typically the fastest players in rugby, I prefer tackling Sevens players at this stage of my career, because they are a bit smaller than traditional 15s players. The thing that challenges me the most in Sevens is what I love the most -- the discipline and work ethic required to work within a very structured format with the other six players on my team. It goes against my very nature as a flanker in 15s. 15s will always have a very special place in my heart, but at this stage, I really love Sevens.

Up2Us Sports: It’s being reported that rugby is the fastest growing sport in America. A recent study showed that participation in the sport increased by 81% from 2008-2013. Based on its recent growth, and it’s upcoming re-appearance in the Olympics - what do you see for the future of the sport worldwide and across the U.S.?

PK: I believe that rugby will see it's most dramatic growth spurt in popularity within the next 10-15 years in the U.S. Over the next two years, there will be the establishment of at least one men's professional league followed by a women's professional league. I believe this will formally commercialize the sport in America and create tremendous viability, profitability, and sustainability. The 2016 and 2020 Olympics will provide the platform for exposure, worldwide, to create exponential growth, making it one of the top five sports in the world. It will become the ambassador of many great things including discipline, respect, and camaraderie that all other sports strive to attain.

Up2Us Sports: You’ve been involved with Play Rugby USA - an Up2Us Sports member organization - for many years. Up2Us Sports is working to advance sports as a tool for addressing the critical issues facing today’s youth. What does developing youth through rugby mean to you? Why is it important for children, particularly in urban environments, to be involved in sports?

PK: Developing youth through rugby is an integral part of the foundation and future of rugby in America. I believe is goes without saying that it means a great deal to me. I believe that it's equally important for children in both urban and rural environments to be involved in sports. Having grown up in a very rural area in Georgia, I witnessed then and continue to see the need for young people to develop positive connections with themselves and others through sport. It also offers them the discipline, work ethic, and interpersonal skills that can transcend  and enhance other areas of their lives. Sport helps children confronted with aggressive emotions, such as anger, to channel them in positively, keeping them out of harm's way. The health benefits of being physically active through sport are numerous.

THE WINNING TEAM: Meet Coach Gabriel

In the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, just eight blocks separate Chicago Youth Boxing Club (CYBC), where Coach Gabriel works, from where he lives. In a city that is home to more violent neighborhoods than any other, Little Village has experienced its fair share of violence, crime and drugs. Growing up there, Gabriel has too. But he used sports as an escape from the dangers of the streets, and now he devotes his life to ensuring that the youth living in and around those eight blocks are able to escape as well.

The former professional fighter found himself without a gym when Windy City Boxing closed its doors in 2006. When a new gym, CYBC, opened in his neighborhood, he stopped competing and started coaching. As one of Coach Across America’s first coaches, Gabriel has been a part of Up2Us Sports since the beginning. Now, sports-based youth development is ingrained in his coaching techniques. “The first year, I was nervous trying this stuff out, but now I do it and I don’t even realize it’s all the things I’ve learned over the years at [National Coach Training] Institutes,” says Gabriel.

Now, he uses lessons learned from sports to keep his kids in the ring and off the streets.  When a kid comes in with dreams of becoming a professional fighter, Gabriel encourages them to be the first person in their family to graduate from college. “I don’t mean to take away their dreams, but I want to be more realistic: I want them to be more focused on school, I want them to go to college.” Gabriel estimates that in his seven years at CYBC, over 30 kids have achieved this goal.

While CYBC is focused on the youth in the neighborhood, the entire community benefits. Instead of sneaking out of their houses and getting in trouble, the children stay home because their coaches have taught them to make better choices. These young boxers stay in school, and become friends and positive influences on one another. Most importantly, after school - between the hours of 3pm and 6pm, which is proven to be the most dangerous time for risky behavior in teens - these kids are in a safe haven with positive adult role models at CYBC. “They come in at 3pm and they’re here until 7pm or 8pm, even though a training session only lasts two hours. They just want to be here.”

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Coach Gabriel is funded by The Humana Foundation.

THE WINNING TEAM: Meet Coach Joe

From cooking to coaching golf, Coach Joe Ramirez is always bringing his best to the table. After graduating from Miami Senior High School and receiving his culinary degree from the Orlando Culinary Academy, he was ready to start a career as a chef. However, the poor economy limited his options. When an opportunity came up in his hometown to coach local kids in sports, he couldn’t turn it down. He needed a job, and as a lifelong athlete, loved the thought of coaching and giving back to the community he grew up in.

Joe serves as a Coach Across America coach at Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation, coaching SNAG golf in the after school program. SNAG - an acronym for Starting New At Golf - teaches the game of golf to people of all ages and abilities in almost any environment. Adapted programs like this are incredibly important in areas like Miami-Dade County, where golf is not an option for most youth due to their economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Joe teaches the kids that playing golf isn’t just about the game. It’s about the intangibles that come from playing the game, like resilience, discipline, self-awareness, and most importantly, social confidence. This was a critical influence in one student’s life, in particular.

Victor was in third grade, but had the learning and emotional capacity more typical of a first grader. He was extremely shy, lacking in confidence, and refused to participate. The other kids in the program did not bully him, but they also did not include him. Coach Joe had a solution. He met with the rest of the group and explained Victor’s situation to them - that he wasn’t any different from them, he just learned differently and needed their help to feel like a part of the team. By helping them understand Victor’s challenges, Coach Joe prevented the group from further excluding him. It also helped boost the team’s social confidence as they all felt empowered to speak up and play a part in helping Victor. The extra attention, not just from Joe but from his teammates, allowed Victor’s confidence in golf - and in life - to grow.

Joe credits Coach Across America and culinary school for helping him develop lessons and activities he could use to supplement those required by the SNAG curriculum. While attending an Up2Us Sports National Coach Training Institute, he was taught how to handle different situations and learned new games and strategies to help the kids understand the lessons they were learning through golf. Joe loves the similarities between cooking and coaching: “In the kitchen, the chef is the coach and his sous chefs are his players. You’re all on the same team and it takes teamwork and guidance to get everything done. As a chef, you have to keep learning which ingredients work together to make the food taste right, and as a coach you have to keep learning the different personalities of the kids and how they fit together to be successful.”