Called to coach
Youth sports coaches had a profound effect on the life of Joshua Eargle, East Texas Baptist University’s head football coach. Eargle credits Little League coach Bill Faircloth and youth basketball coach Keith Clark as powerful role models in sports, but more importantly, in his spiritual life, as well. A similar impact is on display each fall and spring at Mobberly Baptist Church through its Upward Sports program.
At Mobberly, Upward Sports offers children opportunities to learn the fundamentals of cheerleading (girls) and flag football (boys) each fall, and soccer (boys and girls) each spring. Upward Sports coaches teach young athletes how to compete in a healthy way, but their most important function is to display the love of Christ through their interaction with the athletes on the field and through devotional times during practices and at halftime of games.
Dr. Gregg Zackary, senior associate pastor at Mobberly, served as a soccer coach this past spring. He said he coached his daughters and son in tee ball, softball and baseball in the past, but his experience coaching soccer was a first.
“The great thing about Upward Sports is there are great support materials that make it easy to coach, even if you aren’t an expert,” Zackary said.
Dr. Kris Thornton is a veteran Upward football coach who has coached both of his boys. The interaction with his sons has helped his tight-knit family grow even closer.
“Coaching has allowed me to interact with them in ways we may not get at home, and in a different environment,” Thornton said.
I love these kids. They make me strive to be a better man of Christ, because I want them to become men and women after Christ and wonderful spouses and parents.
Kris Thornton
Thornton and Zackary agreed that the interaction coaches and athletes share through Upward Sports is what creates a rewarding experience for both groups.
“Kids are being taught and coached by individuals who care about their athletes’ character more than their abilities,” Thornton said. “In the devotional times, we teach them about how many of the lessons we learn on the field can be applied to life. They impress me with how much they want to know. I see so much athletic, and sometimes spiritual, growth by the end of the season.”
“I was greatly blessed by investing in these young athlete as they learned some basic principles of soccer, but more importantly, basic spiritual truths and life lessons like playing as a team and encouraging teammates,” Zackary added.
Zackary himself was encouraged as he recalled a story that illustrated the impact of a coach on a young person.
“I remember seeing one of my players at church shortly after the season, and speaking to him by name. He seemed a little surprised. After we passed each other, I overheard him tell his mother, ‘He knew my name!’ You never know what a simple investment of time and personal interest may mean to a child for years to come.”
For Thornton, there is a much deeper meaning to coaching than just teaching kids how to play a game. And, like Zackary, he sees the big picture when he examines his responsibilities.
“I love these kids,” he said. “They make me strive to be a better man of Christ, because I want them to become men and women after Christ and wonderful spouses and parents.”
Originally appeared in Mobberly Magazine in 2016