While the seminar delivered content centered around coaching the whole person by applying interactive high human skills and wellness concepts like sleep, breathing, and nutrition, it prioritized experiential presentations from an incredible line-up of inspirational women. The week opened with a powerful keynote address by former A-10 pilot and retired Air Force Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell, who recalled the night her aircraft was hit over Bagdad before she was able to return to base and land it safely. Colonel (retired) Campbell noted how preparatory work develops the competence needed to increase confidence.

The week was hosted by Sports Performance Director, Johannah Zabal, who conveyed the power of self-awareness within her presentation, “Know Thyself.” She emphasized that true knowledge of self serves as a precursor to initiating a well-oriented but forever evolving mission statement, and then charged attendees with creating their own mission statements.

Guest presenters included Dr. Belisa Vranich covering the science of breathing, Dr. Allison Brager discussing sleep for performance, Holly West explained about how to translate military service into coaching, and Lilly Vanek providing an introduction to nutrition. Dr. Anna Swisher from USA Weightlifting discussed the “soft” side of coaching while Laura Busby and Jen Block, both from the Air Force Academy talked about culture and transition from military into sports administration, respectively.

Attendee and now Military Women’s Certified Soldier Coach, Shiela Farr, shared the following powerful testimonial:

The coaching program I participated in was nothing short of transformative. It not only helped me rediscover my “why” but reignited a profound sense of enthusiasm for serving our veterans. Through insightful guidance and thought-provoking exercises, the program facilitated a deep exploration of my core values, passions, and motivations. By reconnecting with my purpose and aligning it with the noble mission of supporting our veterans, I found renewed clarity, inspiration, and direction in my endeavors. The program’s holistic approach, coupled with the unwavering support of the coach and fellow participants, fostered a nurturing environment for personal growth and self-discovery. I am immensely grateful for the invaluable insights and newfound sense of purpose I gained from this coaching journey. It has truly reignited my passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served our country.

Thank you, Coach Farr, for sharing such heartfelt words. Thank you to the other 137 newly certified Soldier Coaches for dedicating your time and attention during four full evenings of virtual content. Finally, thank you to the presenters for donating your time, energy, and expertise to empowering current and former members of the military community so they can become character based coaches in their communities and beyond.

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Jen learned of Soldiers To Sidelines through her brother in-law Nate Palin who serves as STS Director of Operations.  Jen was already coaching and leading a successful business and was intrigued after learning about the STS mission.  She completed the Soldiers To Sidelines inaugural Soccer Coaching Certification Seminar last June. The entrepreneurial demands of founding and running her coaching business Head Strong LLC are extensive.  Properly raising her two young children while her spouse is on active duty adds a much larger level of responsibility to the day.  On top of that, Jen volunteers as Community Coordinator for Healthy Kids Running Series Richmond Hill GA and

Head Coach for Richmond Hill Soccer Club U12 Girls. Read on to discover how Coach Palin rises to the challenge of investing in her family, business, and community.

STS: How has your military experience influenced you as a coach?

Coach Palin: Truly, as a military spouse you become independent in the process. You ‘keep on, keeping on’. We teach our minds and hearts to use that as motivation, to stay busy in hopes to make the time pass! All the while, nonstop thinking about our person being away. So, in a roundabout way I do not let the military life change my everyday life. With a move kids want to continue to stay in a routine as much as possible. I knew soccer was a big part of their lives. This was one of the first tasks upon arrival.

STS: How has Soldiers To Sidelines impacted your life?

Coach Palin: I took the STS Soccer Coach Certification. I was fired up and so excited to incorporate training to a new level at practice. My interaction with the girls has changed in a positive light. Fun vs. passionate is an approach I usually take. Skills are enhanced and teamwork is a must.

STS: Describe a coaching interaction with a player, or group of players, that has a special place in your heart?

Coach Palin: Most of my girls I have had the privilege to be with for two years; four seasons. The growth has been the best to see. The pivotal year was 4th-5th grade. My 5th graders that I had as 4th graders (last year) struggled to make passes, had a hard time communicating, could not remember plays, and would complain if practice was too long. This year, the amazement was fielding open passes, being accurate with one touch, having ball control and field awareness around them, and NOT wanting practice to end!!

STS: What are your aspirations in coaching?

Coach Palin: My aspiration would be to ‘keep the dream alive’. The WANT to play be strong enough to continue. Too many times the fun is gone, the next level isn’t what was expected, the comparison game takes over and self-confidence fumbles. (hand raised) This was me. I want them to have better.

STS: What was the most difficult challenge you have experienced in coaching and what have you learned from that experience?

Coach Palin: Parents. Girls. Egos. Playing time. This has been a large struggle more recently. I have a wide array of ages from 4th-6th on my U12 team. From this I have three elementary schools and a middle school. You have cliches, gossip and sass. I have this at home already so typically no sweat off my back but when parents are a part of the mix and saying what needs to be said this day in age; there becomes a divide. Players think they should only listen to their parents and that coach is wrong. It is a struggle to understand my parents’ point of view (even when I am one) and still have the point across that I am the coach. I have learned that most of the time the players have nothing to do with it. In hopes they come to practice with a clear mind and no comments in the back of their minds. Treat all players equally no matter the issue with the parent at hand. Remember they are there to play the game I love.

STS: Is there anything else you can share with us about your coaching story?

Coach Palin: Coaching is not for the faint of heart. It takes time, patience, dedication and heart. If you lose one the rest falls apart. Keep a level playing field…no pun intended ha.

Prioritize and have a schedule ON and OFF the field.

As a mom of two, Mil Spouse, and business owner, no time can go wasted.

The post Soldiers To Sidelines Honors Jennifer Palin as Soldier Coach of the Month March 2024 appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.

Saturday March 16th in Carrollton, TX at the Adaptive Training Foundation Gym, Soldiers To Sidelines conducted its first in-person Adaptive Athlete Coaching Workshop powered by Wounded Warrior Project and in partnership with the Adaptive Training Foundation (ATF).

The seven-hour workshop was attended by an intimate group of WWP alumni, Soldier Coaches, and ATF athletes and staff. The workshop explored what it means to be a coach, psychology of working with adaptive athletes, considerations in programming, and culminated with a seated workout which everyone participated.

Everyone left the workshop with greater empathy for adaptive athletes and a stronger knowledge base to begin working with the adaptive community. We learned that everyone requires some adaptation to their training at some point in their athletic life. The reality is we are all working with mixed abilities and we have the power to accomplish anything if we just believe we can and we will.

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Each of their stories inspired the packed audience of over 380 attendees to create their own ripple effect and support 500 more Soldier Coaches. The dinner raised enough money to certify, over 500 more Soldier Coaches who will positively develop approximately 25,000 more athletes this year to become future leaders of character.

Soldiers To Sidelines was humbled to host influential military leaders at the dinner who understand how Soldiers To Sidelines improves four essential issues:

• 1. Improve the well-being of the military community by establishing a strong sense of purpose through coaching development.
  2. Improving the quantity and quality of coaching leaders in communities throughout our country.
  3. Bridging the civilian-military divide at the community level nationwide by creating an understanding of the value of military service.
  4. Ensuring the future viability of the all-volunteer military force by directly addressing the military’s current recruiting challenges.

The following notable dignitaries dined with our Soldier Coaches, friends, and family in support of solving these challenges:

Mrs. Sheila Casey
Spouse, 36th Chief of Staff US Army, General (Retired) George Casey. And our 2023 Military Honoree.

Vice Admiral John Fuller
42nd Naval Inspector General, US Naval Forces

Lieutenant General Kevin Vereen
Deputy Chief of Staff, G9, US Army

Lieutenant General (Retired) Bob Caslen
59th Superintendent, United States Military Academy

Mrs. Beth Stitt
Spouse of Lieutenant General Doug Stitt, Deputy Chief of Staff, G1, US Army

Ms. Anita Dixon
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), District of Columbia

Ms. Angie Ritz
Director, Civilian Aides to Secretary of Army (CASA)

Lieutenant General Haibatullah Alizai
Chief of Afghan National Army

Thomas E. Matthews
Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security

Senior Executive Service 2 Bruce Hollywood
US Space Force

Chief Warrant Officer 5, Phyllis Wilson
Army Reserve Ambassador for the State of Maryland

Major General John Rafferty
Chief of Public Affairs, US Army

Major General Deb Kotulich
Deputy Chief of US Army Reserve

Major General (Retired) Tim McGuire
Last served as Deputy Commanding General, US Army Installation Management Command

Major General (Retired) John Uberti
Last served as Deputy Commanding General, US Army Third Corps

Major General (Retired) Malcolm Frost
Last served as Director of Operations, US Army-Pacific Command

Brigadier General Mike Shapland
New Zealand Defense Forces, Defense Attache

Patricia S. Collins
Acting Director, U.S. Government Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Brigadier General (Retired) Burt Thompson
Last served as Deputy Director of Strategic Plans & Policy, US Pacific Command

Brigadier General (Retired) Mike Meese

Command Sergeant Major, Michael Weimer
17th Sergeant Major of the Army

Command Sergeant Major, Greg Seymour
Fort Liberty, North Carolina

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Tom Beyard
Last served as Senior Enlisted Leader, Maryland National Guard

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Mike Quinn
US Army

Steve Miska
Executive Director, PACT Act, Office of Veterans Affairs

Eryn Wagnon
Director Joining Forces- Office of the First Lady, White House

Meg O’Grady represented National University as the Legacy of Leadership Reception Host Sponsor. She highlighted the many NU programs and opportunities to earn educational degrees to advance careers, which is essential for improving earning potential as a Soldier Coach. Additionally, we were honored to have her reveal the first National University mascot, The Navigators, to our military audience.

Thanks to all of our partners, sponsors, and donors, Soldiers To Sidelines set a fundraising record at this year’s Legacy of Leadership Dinner. Our Legacy of Leadership Committee stepped up to help achieve this record with the special efforts of Rob Lively, Rob Dickerson, Vince McBeth, Chad Hennings, Tom Beyard, Cedric King, Martha Macphee, Jim Beamesderfer, Ed McGuire, Adam Rocke, and Marty Moore.

The collective efforts of Soldiers To Sidelines Staff, the STS Board of Directors, the Leadership Committee, sponsors, donors, and honorees empowered hundreds of new Soldier Coaches in 2024 to realize their new purpose to serve our country as a coach. They will become exemplary role models for today’s impressionable youth, leading to a stronger national community.

We hope all who attended this year will join us again next year at the 4th Annual Legacy of Leadership Dinner and welcome all newcomers to join us to cast a stone in the water, creating a greater ripple effect of coaching leadership.

The post Soldiers To Sidelines Legacy of Leadership Dinner 2024 Huge Success! appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.

In addition to this Soldier Coach of the Month honor, Soldiers To Sidelines is presenting Coach Payne with the 2024 Military Legacy of Leadership Ring as the Military Leadership Honoree at the Soldiers To Sidelines Legacy of Leadership Dinner. He is being honored alongside coaching legend Tom Coughlin, 2x Superbowl Champion of the NY Giants, and Business Leadership Honoree Tom Quinlan, CEO of RR Donnelley. Coach Payne and all our Soldier Coaches create a tremendous ripple effect of positive leadership every day they step on the practice field. Read below to learn how Coach Pat Payne began coaching and how his military career influences his coaching style.

STS: What is your coaching title?

Coach Payne: It’s an honor to be called Coach Payne, but the best title in coaching is when a young man says, “That’s My Coach!”

STS: How long have you been coaching?

Coach Payne: 2 years

STS: Tell your story about how and why you got into coaching. Discuss how coaching has impacted you as a person.

Coach Payne: Initially, my wife and I didn’t agree with youth football. However, my son’s interest in tackle football led him to attend a local camp at Lee County Senior High School in North Carolina. After the camp, he ran up to me and said, “Dad, I don’t like football; I love it!” The high school players had done an amazing job with the youth camp, and this marked the beginning of a new chapter for our family. Football brought us closer together while also teaching us more about our local community.

We have an amazing leader in Lee County, NC, Coach Hill, who also serves as a Police Officer and is one of our youth football coaches. After a practice, he asked if I was interested in coaching, and that’s how my coaching journey began. The next day at work was awesome.

The United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) is filled with some amazing ex-athletes from all levels. My downtime was filled with making playbooks & practice plans. On top of the athletic experience in USASOC, the community around Ft. Liberty, NC, is filled with some amazing high school athletes (in all sports) and coaches that fly under the radar. Coach Metzger from Montgomery Central High School has been one of my mentors.

STS: How has your military experience influenced you as a coach?

Coach Payne: It comes full circle. Some of my best coaches were Vietnam veterans. They were tough on us growing up and made us better men.

Now I have former teammates who coach almost every sport in the area. Coaching is another way of service to make an impact on the next generation.

STS: What does Soldiers To Sidelines mean to you?

Coach Payne: It’s a great network of coaches who understand service to our great country and can continue with coaching.

The post Medal of Honor Recipient Pat Payne Recognized as the Soldier Coach of the Month for February appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.

Marino Casem

Nicknamed, “Godfather of the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC)”, United States Army veteran Marino Casem built a winning tradition as Alcorn State University football coach for twenty-two years from 1964-1985.  Casem’s list of accomplishments includes seven SWAC titles, four Black National Championships, six-time National Black Coach of the Year and sent over sixty-players into professional football. In addition to his coaching excellence, Casem also served as the Athletic Director at both Alcorn State University and Southern University. Inductions include Alcorn State University Hall of Fame, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, SWAC Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.

John Merritt

United States Navy veteran, John Merritt, became head coach for Jackson State University at the age of 26 in 1952 and remained an icon on the sidelines until his passing in 1983. Nicknamed “Big John,” Coach Merritt was head football coach for over thirty years, from 1952 to 1962 at Jackson State University and from 1963 to 1983 at Tennessee State University. Merrit led Jackson State University to back-to-back appearances in the Orange Blossom Classic in 1961 and 1962 before being hired by Tennessee State University.  His success at Tennessee State University includes four undefeated seasons, eight Black College National Championships, and 1982 NCAA Division 1-AA semi-finalists. Merritt is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Coach ‘Big John’ Merritt’s legacy lives on and is celebrated each year with the John Merritt Classic.

Collie J. Nicholson

In addition to the black military veterans impacting generations of players and communities as football coaches and athletic directors, United States Marine Corps veteran Collie J. Nicholson was instrumental in building the brand of the Grambling State University football team and its marching band. After serving as a World War II combat correspondent from 1943–46 in the Central Pacific, Nicholson began his thirty-plus-year career as the sports information director at Grambling State University and worked with the great football coach legend, Eddie Robison. His marketing genius helped Grambling State University football and marching band programs gain national and global recognition. Nicholson’s efforts included Grambling State University’s participation in the Whitney Young Classic in New York and the Bayou Classic in New Orleans. Recognition followed his success, and Nicholson received the Black Sports Information Directors of CoSIDA American Trailblazers Award. Hall of Fame inductions include Louisiana Sports, Grambling State University, and SWAC.

Links for Reference

https://www.amazon.com/Black-College-Football-1892-1992-Education/dp/0898658829
https://footballfoundation.org/sports/general/roster/marino-h—casem/176
https://www.johnmerrittclassic.com/about/
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/shreveporttimes/name/collie-nicholson-obituary?id=11762160

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Soldiers To Sidelines is honored to recognize Rashawn Quinzy as the first Soldier Coach of the Month 2024. Coach Quinzy is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret, who has poured his heart and soul into serving our country as a basketball coach. Rashawn certified with Soldiers To Sidelines almost two years ago and has attended many of our continued development workshops while developing his coaching craft in his local North Carolina community. He is currently the Head Men’s Varsity Basketball Coach at Freedom Christian Academy, Fayetteville, NC. Rashawn is the model of integrity, work ethic, studiousness, and growth mindset.  

Rashawn grew up in adversity which has shaped his perseverance and empathy leading to a successful military career. Now he brings his tremendous experience and lessons learned to build his players into the next generation of leaders. Coach Quinzy continues to inspire his players to be the best they can be and live a life of happiness through deliberate work. Read on to learn about Rashawn’s Incredible story and the impact he makes in his community. 

STS: Tell us the story of how and why you got into coaching? How has it impacted you as a person? 

Coach Quinzy: I was a foster child from the age of four and had many different parents throughout that time. Some good, some bad but the consistent positive thing throughout that experience has been my coaches. They gave me purpose when I thought I had none, taught me how to be a man when I had no father figure and cared about me and my situation outside of sports. With that, I understand and empathize with every individual as we are at different places in life. My goal is to meet people at that place in their life and provide value. 

STS: How has your military experience influenced you as a coach? 

Coach Quinzy: It has influenced the way in which I build a team. Instead of focusing on the individual and collective skill development for the particular sport, I initially focus on other things that will be the baseline for those things to happen. Things such as building discipline, improving physical and mental toughness, developing camaraderie and the ability to work as a team. 

STS: Describe an interaction with a player that has a special place in your heart -  

Coach Quinzy: My first year coaching middle school basketball, I coached a young man that was in the foster care system just like I was. Initially, he did not try out for the team because of embarrassment that others would become aware of his situation and he couldn’t afford basketball shoes. I spoke with the school’s social worker and called his foster parents to offer to take him home from practice and get him the gear necessary to play basketball. The following week, I showed up to his gym class to tell him my story and then presented him with new basketball shoes. He played for me his 8th grade year and currently plays in high school, I still keep up with him to this day. 

STS: What are your aspirations in coaching? 

Coach Quinzy: To serve at any level I can influence a generation to change our society for the better. In my case, I believe I would be the most effective at the collegiate level.  

STS: What was the most difficult challenge you have experienced in coaching and what have you learned from it? 

Coach Quinzy: Dealing with parents wanting to get their children to college for sports. Throughout the many meetings with parents and their children, I’ve learned to get to the root cause of “why” they want them to go to college and play sports. Because with a big enough WHY, I can influence the parent and athlete to conquer the HOW that I prescribe. 

 STS: Describe your coaching beliefs. 

Coach Quinzy: I believe that being on a team develops a sense of community, belonging and promotes positive social values. Through this, they learn to work with others, respect authority and trust in one another. And just as the bible teaches us to honor God with our bodies, sports helps with the maintenance of good health, physical fitness and positive use of leisure time. My intent as a coach is to foster an environment that is safe, energetic and fun so that they want to play the sport they love, and succeed not only on the court but in life. Furthermore, support the legacy of positive influence passed from generation to generation that reforms our society from the inside out! 

The post January 2024 Soldier Coach of the Month – Rashawn Quinzy appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.

The Military Bowl has been celebrating the United States Military in the Washington, D.C area since 2010.  This year the Military Bowl is recognizing the tremendous impact of Soldiers To Sidelines by acknowledging four DMV area Soldier Coaches presented by National University. 

The game was wet with rain but soaked with fun and fellowship.  We had a tremendous turnout with a very special tailgate powered by Mission BBQ. The food was fantastic as we celebrated a day of football coaching and military service.  

Meet the four local STS Soldier Coaches honored at the Military Bowl presented by National University

Curt Kline 

A decorated Navy veteran with over 25 years of service, Coach Kline aspires to be the best football coach he can be. Curt Kline is the assistant Offensive Line coach at Georgetown University and Soldier Coach with Soldiers to Sidelines. In only his second season coaching since leaving military service, his apprenticeship at Georgetown through Soldiers to Sidelines has been “An amazing experience and priceless opportunity to learn the X’s and O’s of football.” Coach Kline is a great example for every Soldier Coach in any sport.  

Terry Carter Jr. 

An Air Force Veteran who served for 10 years and went on two Deployments from October 2012 to October 2022 has been coaching football for 9 years total. For the past five years he has been coaching running backs at Friendship Collegiate Academy a public charter high school in D.C. 

Eric Allie 

U.S Navy Veteran with five years of military service as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate coaches running backs at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School.  He has coached football at the youth and high school levels for over 16 years.  Coach Allie earned coaching internships at Georgetown University and the NY Jets through Soldiers To Sidelines. 

Dr. Deborah Ellison 

SSG (Ret.) U.S. Army Deborah Ellison recently earned her Doctorate Degree and serves as a Veteran Service Officer, Disabled Veteran Outreach Representative, and local Veteran Employment Representative.  Coach Ellison also serves as Harundale Rebels Youth Football Co-Commissioner, Fundraiser Director, Coach, and Team Mom. 

 Virginia Tech broke the game open in the second half beating Tulane 41-20.

The post The Military Bowl 2023 Honors Soldiers To Sidelines with National University  appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.

Soldiers To Sidelines presents Kyle Brady the December 2023 Soldier Coach of the Month Award for his incredible commitment to pursuing his passion for coaching football.  Coaching collegiate sports is extremely difficult and requires tremendous sacrifice that most folks are unwilling to endure.  To date, Coach Kyle Brady has sacrificed tons of time and money to establish an entry into college football, which has paid off thus far. Kyle recently transitioned out of the U.S. Army and was stationed in Hawaii. Through STS, he educated himself to prepare for a move mainland to coach football. Kyle excelled in his preparation though STS seminars and membership development program which earned him an unpaid internship with the XFL.  His incredible work ethic made it possible for STS to help him become a volunteer coach for the Florida Atlantic University football team.  He has only been coaching for one year with a bright future ahead.

Learn more about Coach Brady’s journey in the interview below.

STS: Tell your story about how and why you go into coaching. Discuss how coaching has impacted you as a person.

Coach Kyle Brady: I’ve been in love with the game of football for as long as I can remember. The chaos of it is intoxicating, the ceremony and fellowship of gameday are unique, and I’ve found that it is a vehicle to motivate and create change in individuals and communities whose scale is hard to find elsewhere. Romance of the sport aside, I didn’t know I wanted to be a part of it until late in college when I pieced together just how much this sport can unite a community and how much change an effective one can create, but with no college-level playing experience, I didn’t know where to begin. I had followed a few social media football groups as a discussion board to listen in on coaching conversations and try and pick up as much as I could, which is where I first saw a post by Brady Nix about a unique organization called Soldiers to Sidelines. Years later, once I saw my time in the military was quickly coming to an end, I recalled the post and reached out to Brady to see how I could get involved. I completed my Football Certification Seminar, began one-on-one Member Development Program with Harrison, and found my way into the XFL with a SkillBridge internship through the generosity of Sean Hayes and the strength staffs in that league. The rest is history!

STS: How has your military experience influenced you as a coach?

Coach Kyle Brady: The parallels between the military and high-level football are incredibly similar, which has made this transition that much easier. Much of the job I do here falls under the same agenda as when I was an officer in the military- accountability, delegation of tasks, personnel management, etc… But there’s plenty of hidden soft skills that the military instills in you every day that help this job tremendously that you wouldn’t think about: effective evaluation and feedback, how to efficiently brief your superiors, and how to manage the day-to-day stress of competing at an elite level every day.

STS: How has Soldiers To Sidelines impacted your life?

Coach Kyle Brady: Setting conditions, setting conditions, setting conditions- you’ll hear me say it a hundred times. Anyone in a leadership role in the military knows the best thing we can hope to accomplish is to set the conditions for our subordinates’ success of the mission- another parallel to coaching sports. Soldiers to Sidelines benefits the veteran community, not putting in the work for them, but by setting proper conditions for success through hosting clinics, the Member Development Program, and through their vast network of contacts that are generous enough to foster the development of young coaches in their program, such as Coach Ed Warinner and Coach Tom Herman were with me.

STS: Describe a coaching interaction with a player, or group of players, that has a special place in your heart?

Coach Kyle Brady: Getting to send off our seniors in our last game was a special moment for me. Standing on the sidelines as they jogged off the field, some for their last time ever wearing the uniform, and getting to embrace them and thank them for their work this year was a memorable moment for me and one that I’m honored to have gotten to be a part of. You spend way too many hours a season with each other, and all the friction and heartbreak that comes along with it, to try and win some games, but to be there when it all comes to an end helps you appreciate the people you do it for.

STS: What are your aspirations in coaching?

Coach Kyle Brady: Having been around a professional organization for a season with the XFL, and now a collegiate organization for a season, I’ve been the benefactor of seeing how different organizations at different levels are run and find where I fit best. Success for me in this sport is to lead a team that affects and inspires the community around it through winning games and I want to do that at the highest level possible to challenge myself and create and inspire new leaders around me.

STS: What was the most difficult challenge you have experienced in coaching and what have you learned from that experience?

Coach Kyle Brady: The transition’s always going to be the hardest part. I think back to my first few days at The Citadel where I couldn’t tell my left from my right during Drill and Ceremony training; let alone be entrusted to lead Soldiers and plan and execute missions at a Battalion level and beyond. To live that life for almost the last decade, climb the ladder, fall on your face repeatedly, and rise to a level where you begin to feel comfortable and confident in your leadership ability and are looked to for answers; all to fall right back to square one in a new environment where you’re no longer a subject matter expert (or particularly useful for that matter) is a humbling adjustment. It was, however, a transition made a lot easier by a lot of people who took the time to teach me and provide guidance along the way. The takeaway here- for myself, those just starting out, and those who have been around this profession alike- is that this sport needs leaders who care about those they coach and who relentlessly look for ways to add value to the organization every day, because there are always ways to add value every day. 

The post December Solider Coach of the Month appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.

In addition, we had 130 repeat certifications totaling 599 members of the military community completing our coaching certification seminars.

The ripple effect created by Soldiers To Sidelines has helped 1474 Soldier Coaches positively impact nearly 74,000 athletes this year.

Check out some of our other incredible accomplishments this year.

We completed our NFL Salute To Service Event with NY Jets covered by Fox5NY

We hosted a Live Football Certification Seminar presented by Wounded Warrior Project covered by CBS L.A.

We designed and launched our new website soldierstosidelines.org

We hired U.S. Navy Veteran, Alexandra Kemp as the STS Membership Development Program Manager

Military spouse, Elizabeth Woods, volunteered as a Public Relations Coordinator

We completed three Coaching Workshops on Military Bases (Ft. Carson, Ft. Liberty, Ft. Sill)

We completed our first Rugby Coaching Certification Seminar

We completed our first Soccer Coaching Certification Seminar

We have lofty goals in 2024 that we can achieve with your help.  Consider donating to Soldiers To Sidelines and help us certify 500 new Soldier Coaches next year.  With your help we will develop 10,000 Soldier Coaches impacting 1 million athletes nationwide.

The post Soldiers To Sidelines Generates Incredible Growth in 2023 appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.