What does a cheerleading coach have in common with a deceased Civil War hero? The answer is heart. We have learned that in your 11 years at Planet Spirit coaching hundreds of young men and women you have done much more than teach stunts and dance routines. Striving for excellence in a group, particularly for young people, brings forth the full range of human experiences that life has to offer. Teamwork can bring forth jealousy and criticism, or loyalty and solidarity. Losing can be an occasion for disillusionment and blaming, or resolve to do better. Winning can be an ego trip, or produce graciousness and gratitude. You have shown yourself to be a coach who constantly leads his team to find the higher and better parts of themselves in these experiences. We have heard how you have guided a dejected children and losing teams to appreciate their own worth and that of their teammates and to move forward with confidence and optimism. In other words, you have shared the strength of your own heart with those around you. Battlefield heroes do nothing more.
Of course, working with teen-agers means the issues presented to a coach will inevitably transcend sports. Your calm demeanor, non-judgmental attitude, willingness to give of your time, and sound advice have led many young people over the years to seek out your counsel about schoolwork and life problems. It takes a village especially to raise a teen-ager, and many of them are better for having been able to trust you with their concerns.
And the kids really like you! We recently heard one of them say, “Devo is one of the nicest coaches I have ever met!. Even after his arm surgery he’s always been at the gym to give us direction. Devo is always giving us advice that really helps and I think that he really deserves this award.”
In our culture, athletics can be a negative experience where children feel disrespected and ill-treated. By treating your athletes with love and respect at all times, you provide them an outstanding role model and a very positive experience. You are an excellent example of the power of heart energy in the world, and exactly the kind of person the Sullivan Ballou Fund seeks to recognize and affirm as a model for the rest of us.
Congratulations!
Elissa and Bruce Peterson, Founding Members