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Post by airraider on Jul 4, 2008 0:45:14 GMT -6
I had a guy come to practice today that is interested in being one of our student assistants.. I met him on the phone after his university gave him my number.
He shows up today and to my suprise, he is in a wheel chair..
He has been coaching on the youth level.. so obviously its something he is used to..
I just wonder how I should go about duties and such.. I will have him working with our freshmen group..
I think its wonderful that he is not letting his situation deter what he wants to do in life.. and I welcome him with open arms..
Just looking for outlooks on how I can make the situation the best and least restrictive for him..
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tedseay
Sophomore Member
Posts: 165
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Post by tedseay on Jul 4, 2008 3:19:38 GMT -6
I had a guy come to practice today that is interested in being one of our student assistants.. I met him on the phone after his university gave him my number. He shows up today and to my suprise, he is in a wheel chair.. He has been coaching on the youth level.. so obviously its something he is used to.. I just wonder how I should go about duties and such.. I will have him working with our freshmen group.. I think its wonderful that he is not letting his situation deter what he wants to do in life.. and I welcome him with open arms.. Just looking for outlooks on how I can make the situation the best and least restrictive for him.. Give him a couple of days, then check and see how things are going. In particular, ask him if there is anything hindering his ability to coach (physical obstacles, etc.) that he thinks might be "fixable"... ...and good for you for giving him a chance. |
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Post by easye17 on Jul 4, 2008 6:55:33 GMT -6
That's interesting. My first inclination would be to give him regular responsibilities of the position you have him in and see if he needs any adjustments to that. Then see if he can coach and see what happens.
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Post by airraider on Jul 4, 2008 7:56:33 GMT -6
That's interesting. My first inclination would be to give him regular responsibilities of the position you have him in and see if he needs any adjustments to that. Then see if he can coach and see what happens. Yea.. my first thought is to not even treat him as if he has a problem.. just let him get out there and get after it.. if there is something he cant do.. I am sure he will adjust in his own way.. The worst part.. is our gym only has a ramp in the front.. so as of now.. he has to go to the front, and back around to the back.. but I will make sure we address that as soon as possible. |
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Post by coachjimmer on Jul 4, 2008 8:32:16 GMT -6
Airraider,
I've seen a paraplegic coach at the local high school and later at the University of Northern Colorado. He was a very defensive minded and he had many amazing defensive theories on stopping any offenses. Football coaching was his life. Anyway, coaches listened to him and his theories the same way the investors listen to Warren Buffet and his financial advices.
I can't remember his name but that was about 15 years ago.
If that paraplegic person can coach, anyone can coach regardless of his disability level. Just give your new coach an equal opportunity to coach with some reasonable accomodation.
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Post by bobbybooshay on Jul 4, 2008 9:05:28 GMT -6
it definitely can be done, but i recommend for him to get a 'power' wheelchair. many insurances will pay for one to assist with a job.
he probably won't want to if he uses a 'push' chair, but on the grass a 'power' chair will allow him to be fast and avoid situations that may put him or the kids in harm's way. even able-bodied coaches have to be super quick to get out of the way at times, and the higher the level he coaches, the faster things will be moving around him. make sure to talk to him about safety for him AND the kids, and how it will be much faster than youth football.
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coachmpope
Sophomore Member
"QUIT TALKIN...LET'S PLAY BALL!"
Posts: 145
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Post by coachmpope on Jul 4, 2008 18:27:59 GMT -6
I have personsl experience with this situation. I lost both of my legs 3 years ago and did not get to coach for a year. It was the worst time of my life! You need to give the guy a chance becauee it first will be a great learning experience for your players and second the guy must love the game if he is willing to overcme his medical problems asd coach. Xs and Os can be taught but the love of the game, love for kids. and the impressive resolve of this man is a tribute to him. I advise getting the motorized chair....I have two and I am faster than when I had two legs. Go to the www.hawgtuff.net website and look at my story. I am retired but coaching football and track and running oline camps in a lot of states. You can see how well I can get around and the site is full of Oline materials. We aqre also startng up a message forum where coaches can discuss oline and other football related items. It is not the eqaul of this site but I think it will be great for oline coaches and football coaches in general. |
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Post by chadp56 on Jul 4, 2008 19:41:03 GMT -6
I have an assistant coach how is in a wheel chair from a car crash many years ago. He has a power chair. He doesn't need much help at all. He does a great job. The only place I can't have him go is our pressbox because we don't have an elevator, but other than that he can do anything else we need him to do. He owns his own tree business so he doesn't let his disability slow him down.
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Post by airraider on Jul 6, 2008 13:38:24 GMT -6
How do officials usually handle it from a sideline safety standpoint?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2008 13:52:05 GMT -6
I worked with a guy a few seasons ago who was paralyzed. We didn't have an officail even mention it to us.
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Post by chadp56 on Jul 6, 2008 18:05:06 GMT -6
No one has said anything to him about being in the box with his motorized cart. I'm sure there could be a problem if there was to be a collision. Treat him like any other coach. He will probably tell you if he needs anything special.
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