Heroes live all over Teller County.
They educate our children, fight our fires and police our
streets. They save our lives, volunteer for worthy causes and fight
our wars overseas.
They make us proud to show off our tranquil mountain
towns.
But the heroes I associate with are often unrecognized. These
role models are praised most through the actions of
others.
The selfless men and women go to battle every day for causes
almost entirely out of their control.
They preach poise, determination, self-sacrifice and dedication.
They instruct our youth in dealing with the anguish and joys of
life in a constructive manner.
My heroes live for giving advice to young people. My favorite
role models have boundless dreams for the kids they
serve.
My heroes coach sports.
And our communities are full of coaches, from the little league
levels to the high school athletic programs.
Men and women like Brent Cottrell, Roger Duroux, Jeff Gatlin,
Brian Giesinger, Brian Gustafson, Andy Pappadakis, Ron Payton,
Stacy Roshek and Chris Winstead help mold the student athletes of
Woodland Park High School, with the support of assistant coaches,
into future heroes.
Jim Bertrand, Todd Bowman, Amy Christison, Dale Dubbs and Lara
Vette do the same at Cripple Creek/Victor High School with the
backing of their assistants.
These altruistic men and women give up their spare time – often
for no pay, sometimes for little compensation – for the benefit of
everyone.
Coaches better our society by helping transform children into
leaders, adolescents into adults and veterans into teachers of
rookies.
Coaches extend their honest and hardworking values to receptive
eyes and ears. They instill an archetype of respect in
impressionable minds.
The coach and athlete relationship continues a cyclical
tradition of passing the model of integrity within the most emotive
of places.
Sports bring out many of the most instinctive human reactions to
hope, adversity and pain as they construct and crush
aspirations.
Athletes laugh, cry, scream and feel everything in between as
they unleash their competitive natures on the field of play.
Emotions fill every snap, pass, dribble, spike, pitch, jump, dive,
swing, step, hit, takedown, putt, stride, kick and slide.
Coaches watch over all such actions and reactions. They help
keep kids in control, spreading wisdom to prevent players from
wavering too high or low from focus.
They teach their athletes to turn the mental jitters of pressure
situations into the stoic states of capability.
And, most importantly, coaches do all these things while letting
their athletes have fun.
As I write to the communities of Teller County for the last time
– I have taken a job at a daily paper in Laramie, Wyo., where I
will cover prep and college sports – I ask just one favor of you
all.
Thank your coaches.
Tell them what they have taught you on and off the
field.
Let them know how much they mean to your children.
After all, area coaches are helping you teach your kids how to
one day save a life, inspire a child to learn, put out a wildfire,
prevent a crime, make a difference in a community or protect our
freedom.
Coaches help kids find the courage to be themselves.
These are the lessons I take from my two years reporting local
sports at the Courier.
I’ve spent many a morning, afternoon and evening watching
athletes and their coaches in action.
I’ve witnessed countless smiles, tears, friendships strengthened
and the awakening of fears. I’ve heard endless cheers, both in
victory and defeat.
I’ve listened to the instructing words of coaches.
And I’ve seen young adults learning how to become heroes.