Coach

I was running 10 miles a couple weeks ago. Part of the marathon training regimen I have set up for myself and the 36 kids I am coaching to run the L.A. Marathon (check out www.srla.org for more info). But the kids were in L.A. and I was in Phoenix for the weekend. It was mile 6 and I was starting to fade. Damn hard to keep running when there is no one else running with you. Whether they are gaining on you, along, or you’re chasing them to take the lead, it’s always advantageous to have others out there.

So through the sweat and the beat in the headphones, I started to search for drive. For motive. And out of the thoughts, came a booming voice.

“ALRIGHT BOYS, LET’S TAKE IT IN!!!”

For anyone who’s played for him, you know exactly whose voice I heard.

Coach Duvall.

I think it’s interesting that in a moment when I was looking for motivation and drive, I hear the voice of the man who taught me so much of these traits…and so many more. In his many years of coaching, he has guided literally hundreds, if not thousands of his players and students, in areas that many weren’t getting enough of elsewhere. He taught us discipline, teamwork, sacrifice, and humility. He taught us to dodge clipboards. He taught us how to put money in the bank.

I’ve reflected the past couple weeks since that run to remember so many of the great times I had playing for Coach, but more importantly, the skills I’ve had to call upon in my life to persevere and excel. We’re a lucky group of men who have had the privilege of playing for a Coach who was so established and so clear in his message. Many young men do not receive that opportunity. But I look at the roll call of the WL Players Club and I see a tremendous amount of success and accomplishment.

The great thing though is that the lessons haven’t stopped at us. We’ve become fathers or teachers or coaches ourselves. We’ve taken what we’ve learned in our time playing for Coach and tried to pass it along. I’ve worked with several of my kids to teach them drive and passion and success. And I know where that in part came from.

Today is Coach Duvall’s birthday. Take a second to let him know what’s he has done to help you get to where you are. What he’s taught you that you’ve in turn bestowed on to others. We really do owe a little bit to him.


I love it, I love it. Can’t get enough of it.


Thanks Coach.