Excerpts from Manhood from the Hood

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It was a thrill watching the U.S. Gymnastics Championships this past weekend at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. To see those young women (and men) compete!

It was only the last twenty-five years of the 21st century that women truly began to be celebrated for their sports achievement.

Sixteen-year-old Jordyn Wieber captured the U.S all-around crown. Her coach, John Geddert cheered her on, wearing a purple shirt that matched her leotard.

I wonder how coaching young women is different from coaching young men? Maybe there isn’t a difference.

Any coaches care to weigh in? Let the discussion begin!!

More from Coach Denny Welter and why he was so inspired by Bill’s stories of grandfather Roddy.

47. The value of having a great friend.

48. Some of you are skipping classes, but you are only short-changing yourselves.  You will need more than basketball in your lives.  You will need your education to make it in this world.  “Let basketball be a vehicle that you can use to improve your life by taking you to places you only dreamt of.  Use basketball, but don’t let basketball use you.”  – Coach Vaughn

49. Teachers and coaches worked together to help us mature and succeed.

50. The point guard position is a reflection of the coach on the floor. (Adam)

51. We learn a lot about ourselves from failures and disappointments.

52. Use failure to motivate you.  Learn from your failures.  Learn from all of life’s experiences.

53. Coach Feely and I talked about the importance of education, family values, working hard, and the contacts I would make in college that would last a lifetime.

54. My grandfather and Coach Feely had similar values.  They came from different worlds and were raised in totally different environments.  Did similar values transcend racial, economic, political, religious views and social barriers?  What was it about family values that caused us to seek out others like ourselves?  Was such seeking a verification and validation of those values?  Or was it just a trait wired into our DNA that compelled us to desire a sense of belonging to one another?

55. After college, what will my life be like?

56. The value of being a good mentor and role model for younger siblings.

57. Many years have passed and the past is the past.

Excerpts from Manhood from the Hood

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Webster’s II New College Dictionary defines “coach” as “one who gives private instruction…a private tutor.”

That kind of reminds us of the role of a parent. We give our children private instruction—we tutor them.

So even if you’ve never officially been a coach on the sports field, if you are a parent, you are a coach as well!

More from Coach Denny Welter and why he was so inspired by Bill’s stories of grandfather Roddy.

36. Don’t ask for something that you can do for yourself.

37. Never accept anything from anyone that you don’t earn.

38. How to refrain from getting young girls pregnant and should focus on going to college.

39. Make something out of yourself by going to college and getting an education.

40. My grandparents never talked to us about finances.

41. Study halls were temporary holding pens as far as I was concerned.  Respect education.

42. Obey the family values or there will be hell to pay.  Case closed.

43. Live under my grandparent’s strict, non-negotiable code of values.

44. Basketball is a chess game in motion.  You have to use your mind and intelligence to perform consistently and grow as a player.  First you have to master the fundamentals and then the sky is the limit.  Becoming a great basketball player is a long process.  It takes dedication and many hours of practice.

45. Use education to better yourself.

46. Ernest – What we talked about when we were together was more important than the amount of time we spent together.

Excerpts from Manhood from the Hood

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More from Coach Denny Welter and why he was so inspired by Bill’s stories of grandfather Roddy.

31.)  We bonded through class work and sports

32.) In younger days, we all got nickname given to us, usually by someone who was very respected in the community.  You never chose your own nickname.

33.)  Stay in school, stay out of trouble, and avoid drugs or alcohol.

34.)  It takes an entire village to raise a child.

35.)  Work hard on something you value.

Excerpts from Manhood from the Hood

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More from Coach Denny Welter and why he was so inspired by Bill’s stories of grandfather Roddy.

Denny’s father, Ray Welter, believed in the work ethic. Denny grew up on a 160 acre farm and his dad was always telling him and his 2 brothers to get out in the fields and work.  And Dad didn’t mean the baseball field–he meant the corn field.

So the Welter kids developed a hard work ethic from their dad that carried them through the sports they played as well as through the positive life they chose!

26.) Take pride in what you have and don’t worry about keeping up with the Jones’.

27.) Great fathering is a family tradition.

28.) The value of Little League baseball was my life-long friendship with Ernest Leaks.

29.) Respect your elders both within your family and outside of it.

30.) Help each other with class work without being asked.