Let’s play word association. I say Richard Nixon. Perhaps you say crook, liar, thief? When I think of Richard Nixon, I think of hero, role model, honor. Perhaps we’re thinking of two different people.
The Richard Nixon I’m thinking of is the head football coach at Hazelwood Central who is leading his team up against Blue Springs South this Saturday evening in the 2008 Show Me Bowl.
I made a phone call to Richard hoping to get a couple of good quotes about the upcoming game, the keys to winning, yada, yada, yada. Instead, I was inspired and refreshed to hear more from a coach who is concerned about more than just winning on the football field.
I’m not saying that Coach Nixon is better than other coaches, or that there are not other coaches who have the same belief, but I think (and hope) that Nixon exemplifies what being a coach is all about.
Coach Nixon talks about how playing football for Hazelwood Central is a privilege and should be taken with responsibility. While it is still just a game, Nixon and his staff are looking for players who are ready to become men; to learn how to be teammates working for a common goal and Nixon does it all to help prepare these kids for life after high school.
I believe after listening to Coach Nixon regardless of whether you’re a fan of Hazelwood Central, Blue Springs South or any other school, you’ll respect the job that he and several other coaches across this state do for the high school student athletes of Missouri.
Download/listen to Richard Nixon (7:37 mp3)
