Schooling Additional
Coach Fred Yancey’s win proportion as a highschool head coach was an distinctive 74.5%. Yancey coached the Lions at Briarwood Christian Excessive Faculty for twenty-nine seasons and his report ranks fourth within the state for wins at a single college. In September, I sat down with the Coach at his house in Dunnavant Valley for a dialogue about sportsmanship.
We began with Coach Yancey’s expertise as a group captain in excessive school- Messick in Memphis. “At Messick, I used to be taught to be competitive- to care deeply about winning- balanced with an emphasis on enjoying with class.” This philosophy was the body for his years of teaching. In response to Coach Yancey, sportsmanship begins with respect for the opposite group: each groups want to have the ability to maintain their heads up. He defined that the coach units the tone. “In a method, the coach walks a tightrope- he trains his gamers to be essentially the most aggressive group the opposition will ever see, but, on the identical time, to do it in a method revered by all. We knock ‘em down, after which assist ‘em up.” The gamers should execute good, powerful soccer however by no means rub it in. After a rating or a superb play, his gamers had been skilled to rejoice on the sidelines, not “showboat.” However rules taught should even be enforced. “Some boys come into this system considering the coach expects them to be the meanest participant on the sphere. And even nice children can get out of line.” Yancey defined that the teaching workers used apply periods to persuade gamers that unhealthy conduct was “not value it.” Coach Yancey gave an instance of how he tried to display good sportsmanship. By halftime in a sure recreation, it was clear the rating was insurmountable by the opposing group. So, Briarwood put in its youthful gamers to present them expertise. The ultimate rating was the identical because it was at halftime and nonetheless a convincing win. On the finish of the sport, the opposing group’s coach sprinted throughout the sphere to shake Yancey’s hand. He stated, “That was the classiest factor I’ve ever seen.” The 2 coaches developed an enduring friendship.
As for followers, Yancey famous it’s human nature to love consideration, that’s, to make our mark in entrance of individuals. “When the followers are vocal, the boys like it,” he stated, “they usually additionally discover when the followers should not into the sport.” Followers ought to all the time be enthusiastic and supportive significantly when the group is struggling. Throughout the warmth of summer season apply in an empty stadium, Yancey motivated gamers by serving to them look forward to the total stands of fall. He advised them they needed to be prepared. Coach Yancey identified a key distinction in fan dynamics between highschool and faculty. In faculty stadiums, the followers make generic noise due to their distance from the sphere. However in highschool, the followers are a lot closer- particular person voices might be heard on the sphere. He encourages followers to “watch your language and your mood. You may be heard in a highschool stadium. Don’t have regrets.”
Coach Yancey’s strategy to sportsmanship has roots in his Christian religion. He views how the sport is performed as each an obligation to the God he serves and as a possibility to specific his non secular life to others. This optimistic message impacted the 1000’s of people he coached in soccer and observe. Throughout his tenure, Briarwood received three state titles- 1998, 1999, and 2003- and performed within the state championship recreation in three further seasons- 2007, 2010, and 2017. Quite a few Briarwood Lions performed on the faculty stage. Three of his gamers competed professionally: Tim and Simeon Castille (NFL) and Michael Hires (CFL). Former Briarwood quarterback Barrett Trotter was an NFL offensive coach. Coach Yancey retired in 2019 and was inducted into the Alabama Excessive Faculty Sports activities Corridor of Fame in 2020. His successful legacy validates that sportsmanship isn’t some add-on, not some afterthought to getting the job achieved. Sportsmanship is the opening kick-off for fulfillment on the enjoying area. And all through life.
-Invoice Norton
