Pee Wee Team Looks To Coach For Inspiration
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Pee Wee Team Looks To Coach For Inspiration
Thursday, Richmond County's Recreation Department held its pee wee football state championship games. And on the sidelines was one coach who taught his kids more than the game of football. WJBF...
Thursday, Richmond County’s recreation department held its pee wee football state championship games. And on the sidelines was one coach who taught his kids more than the game of football. WJBF News Channel 6’s Barclay Bishop has the story.
Published: November 20, 2008
Updated: November 21, 2008
Augusta, GA—Omar Andrews has been coaching 11 and 12 year olds on the Hephzibah Seminoles team for 3 years. Growing up he struggled and used sports to succeed. Now he’s using the game of football, to teach his team, the game of life.
When number 10 hit the field Thursday night, he wasn’t just playing for his team, he was playing for his coach.
Naquan Anthony, Plays for Hephzibah Seminoles: “If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what I would be doing right now. Because I could just be out here doing anything bad, throwing rocks at folks cars and disrespecting grown folks.”
Omar Andrews is more than just a recreation football coach to this team of nearly 20 boys, he’s their mentor.
Coach Omar Andrews, Hephzibah Seminoles: “Well I grew up in a fatherless home myself and it’s just that my mom brought so much positive out of me and sports was pretty much what got me going. I always had a good coach you know working with me, mentoring me so I just wanted to give back to the community what they gave to me.”
It’s obvious he already has. The Seminoles have stayed undefeated in their pee wee league for 2 straight years. How they got there is more than just what coach taught them on the field.
Coach Andrews: “Most kids come out, they know automatically that if you don’t keep a “C” average, at least a “C” average, I would love to have them keep a “B” average, but if they keep a “C” average and they continue to try harder. My motto is, the first thing you do when you come home is grab your peanut butter and jelly sandwich, get your glass of water, and get your homework done.”
Anthony: “Sometimes my grades are tough but I get right back on the ball and pick them up.”
Picking these kids up and being a role model to some who have never had one, is something Coach Andrews says is worth more than a winning game.
Coach Andrews: “When they get that first play in that big confidence boost, and building that confidence as practice goes on. It’s tremendous, that’s what the really great part is that I love about football, it gives the kids something to look up to. And you see a shy kid and the next thing you know is he has a little swag, some nice confidence in himself.
Thursday the state championship game was held at Laney stadium. Unfortunately the Seminoles ended up losing 20 - 38, but they are still the division champs.
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Reader Reactions
I think it is great to acknowledge the coach, but there are many others who deserve the same. All these coachs volunteer their time, efforts and energy. There are many teams included in the Richmond County Recreation Dept.
Why was one coach singled out? Yes, the Seminoles lost, what about the team and their volunteer coaches who won???
During the play offs on Tuesday night (prior to our"Super Bowl” on Thursday night) the Seminoles with a large group of supporters and lots of fan fare, played against a team which was represented by very few parents. The coaches on the sidelines were essentially the only support for those boys. What about these guys????
It saddened me to know so many volunteer and only one is recognized.
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