Tag Archives: gym class

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Jax Leads Dad to First Ever Head Coach Win

There are certain games that stick with you — not because of the final score, but because of the way they’re played. The kind where effort shows up in every possession and leadership doesn’t need to be loud to be felt (and coming from me, that’s saying something). This one happened to be my first game stepping in as head coach, but what made it memorable had very little to do with me.

This weekend was one of those games for Jackson.

From the opening tip, he was locked in. Focused. Ready to do whatever the team needed… and as the game unfolded, it became clear that his impact wasn’t going to be measured just in points, but in stops, hustle plays, and moments that quietly changed the direction of the game.

Let’s start with defense — because that’s where this game was won long before the scoreboard caught up.

Jax, you took on their best shooter and shut him down. He managed just one shot all game because you were everywhere — hands up, feet moving, body in the right place every possession. You forced tough jumpers and never let him get comfortable. That kind of defense doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet, but it wins games. Your defense was locked in, disciplined, and relentless.

Then there was the hustle.

The ball felt like it had your name on it. You kept it alive over and over — offensive rebounds, assists, steals, tip-outs — just refusing to let possessions die. When we were down by six and momentum wasn’t ours, you were the spark.

No one in this league wants to see you defending them and for sure no one wants to drive the lane and see you standing in the key. You’re like a young Dennis Rodman (before he dyed his hair like an Easter egg). Those extra efforts don’t always go as stats in the box score, but they change everything. They kept us in the game and helped turn it around.

Slowly, possession by possession, we climbed back.

Eventually, we took the lead.
Eventually, we won.

And there you were, right in the middle of it — leading the way, doing the little things, helping us come back and keep our team in first place.

Jackson, this was your game.
And it’s one I’ll never forget.

PS: I plan on retiring with an undefeated head coaching record!

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Gym Class Hero (The Parachute)

As a former elementary school gym class hero parachute day in gym class was literally the greatest day to be a budding star athlete. There was something special about those primary colored triangle shapes that put us first graders under some sort of enchanted spell. Maybe it was the rhythmic rippling of that giant nylon circle, maybe it was the way you got to have your very own handle to hold on to, making you feel like you played a vital role in making those parachute waves… either way… Finding out it wasParachute day was like waking up on Christmas Morning. 

Everyone had a favorite. Everyone had a specialized skill which directly impacted your placement on the parachute. 

  •  If you could ensure that your wrist flick would properly catapult those rubber balls into outer space then you had to make sure that you were not next to someone else who had the same ability so those who couldn’t would not cause a parachute fumble during “popcorn.”
  • If you were tall you had to be evenly placed around the parachute so when you completed the daring “mushroom cloud” it would have the stability to hold up high enough and long enough to get up and run across to the other side. 
  •  But it was “cat and mouse” that distinguished the first grade super athletes from the band members. Pick a color., shake the hell out of that ‘chute and catch that damn mouse. If you had true skills to avoid getting captured you could bask in eternal glory until lunch (when the kid with the chocolate snack pack took over the kingdom).  

The memories of those days will last a life time. The parachute. The #1 rated gym apparatus by kids across the nation.