The greatest piece of advice ever given to me is this simple statement. "You have got to be the same person up or down." It is a pretty basic statement, but it rings loud and clear in life. A true sign of maturity is when you can be the same type of person when things are going bad as you are when things are going good. My S.P.U.D.’s include farmers, teachers, artist, coaches, bosses, custodians, family members, secretaries, and even my dog. The personal stories I share in this book are about imperfect people that demonstrated perfect unconditional love and support to me in my life. As I look back now, it was the right person at the right time. We can all be a S.P.U.D. to others, no special training or talent is required.

I wrote this workbook specifically for middle school and high school coaches. It contains 52 unique weekly lessons challenging them to give their very best to the kids they are privileged to coach. This workbook is a MUST HAVE for any coach, no matter the grade level or how long they have been coaching. Be creative, be unforgettable, be authentic, be a champion builder. Teach more than just X’s and O’s, teach young boys’ and girls’ how to be young men and women. You have to love kids more than you love winning games to truly make a difference in a kid’s life.

I asked over 175 coaches “what is the one thing you want parents to know?” After reading their responses, I was able to capture the spirit of their answers it not one thing, but FIVE THINGS. This book serves as a guide to help parents navigate the waters of middle school and high school athletics. Learn what parents can expect from coaches, and what coaches expect from parents.

ONE: Don’t Specialize too Soon. TWO: Sacrifices Will Be Necessary. THREE: Keep Off the Kids and Game Officials. FOUR: Trust Coaches to Do the Right Thing. FIVE: Let Your Child Work Through it.