Richmond Tigers are Number One!

Wade finished up a tremendously exciting basketball season with his 5th grade team the first weekend of May.  Their team won the St. Ann's tournament that weekend, beating out 7 other teams.

Their school principal, Mrs. Glennon, came to every game and was a wonderful supporter.  At a school assembly later that month, she praised the kids on their sportsmanship and skills and said that, to her knowledge, it was the first time Richmond had ever won that tournament and brought home the trophy to the school.

WOO-HOO!

The secret, besides the boys' efforts and good attitudes, was their coaching duo, Mark and Becky Anderson.  Friends of ours and members of our stake, they focused on teamwork, fairness, playing hard, and having a good attitude.  

One example of this was the awards ceremony at the end of the tournament.  Coaches had to choose MVPs from their team, but they let the boys vote instead.  Miguel, Nick, and Tucker were chosen--and they were right on the money there.  Wade would have won the Best Defensive Player if such an award existed--he was SO GOOD at sticking to his man and not letting the other kid do ANYTHING but try to get away from him, hahaha!

Wade learned so much and had a BLAST doing it!

Excited to bring home the trophy to their school!  There's a story for me about Usman holding that bigger trophy in the middle.  Throughout the whole season, he hadn't been able to make a basket yet.  Well, the last game, he made this HUGE basket.  I told Coach Becky that no matter what the score had turned out to be, that made the game for me, especially since it was the first and only game that both his parents had been able to attend.  FUN!

Coach Mark, Wade, Jacob, Miguel, Nick, Coach Becky
Elijah, Usman, Tucker, and Dillon

Before the championship game!

Mrs. Knehans, one of our 5th grade teachers.  So cool of her to be the mascot! :)

Wade with one of his best friends Jordan, the Monday after the tournament.  Check out the sign! :)

3 Letters

These are future-blog-book worthy.  Had to share.



Letter #1:
                                                 

January 30, 2014

Dear Coach Chris,

Our family is very appreciative of the time and effort you put into coaching the Broncos flag football team this season.  Thank you!


Without going into too much detail, our son Wade needed to have some fun and a good team experience after a very difficult baseball season last spring.  You and Coach Wes were just what the doctor ordered.  We are so grateful for the emphasis you placed on trying hard, having a good attitude, being a good team member, and just plain having fun!  That’s what it’s all about, right?  Wade had a blast, gained some confidence, and definitely improved in his own abilities.


Win or lose, regardless of what the scoreboard might say at the end of each game, this season was great for Wade and our family.  We just wanted you to know how grateful we are for all you did!  We wish you all the best—thanks for everything! 

Wade thought you’d enjoy a movie on us—have fun!  

Your friends,

The Cushing Family

(we enclosed a gift card to the local movie theater--he loved it!)

Letter #2:

10 Feb 2014

Hi Jason,

I wanted to say thank you to you and Tharity (probably didn't spell that right) for the letter and gift.  Please also let Wade know I said thanks as well.  It truly made my day!  Wade was an outstanding kid!  Everything about him... paying attention, listening to instruction, positivity, caring, working hard... he was by far the BEST at what I feel are the most important aspects of life.  I wanted to say thank you for raising such a fine young kid!  I will always look for him during any draft.  So... THANK YOU again for allowing me to teach Wade.

Sincerely,
Chris

Letter #3:

11 Feb 2014

Chris,

Thank you so much for your email.  What you wrote means a lot to Verity (don't worry about the spelling!) and I as Wade's parents.  We have tried to teach him that there are things that are more important than being the "best" on any team he might be a part of.  I've tried to give him three rules...try hard, listen to the coach, and have fun.  It seems to be working so far!

Verity and I both want to thank you for being such a wonderful coach.  Wade had his best season of flag football by far, and that is because he had his best coach by far.  You made the game more than just wins and losses, you made it fun not just for him, but for all the kids on your team.  I wish there were more coaches that took that approach around here.  We would be thrilled if he were on your team again sometime.

Please thank Coach Wes for us as well.  He did a great job too, you were both a great coaching team!

VR,

Jason




Jason sat us down for Family Home Evening a few weeks ago and said he had something important to share.  We all panicked a little, thinking he was going to drop a bombshell on us, and then he read Coach Chris's email.  It was a great moment!