These days, it can take plenty of effort to get kids off the couch and outside. Maintaining a lively interest in individual and team sports can be even more challenging. Which is why motivating youth athletes to stay active in sports is the bottom line for Coach of the Week, Keith Bradley of Marion, Ohio.
A cross-country runner since the unbelievably early age of six, Coach Bradley, continued to build on his training log for years - running for his high school, college and Ohio US Army Reserve teams. Among numerous other awards, Bradley was an Academic All American during his college career. Luckily when arthritis took it’s toll a few years back, coaching was already part of Bradley’s schedule, but his commitment to working with youth athletes continued to evolve.
He’s coached cross country for 11 years now and fastpitch softball for eight. This year, he’s keeping busy with no less than three teams. His focus this fall is with the Pleasant Elementary Cross Country team (kindergarten through 6th grade) and the Spartans United 12U fastpitch fall ball league. This is after spending the summer with the Pleasant Marion 12U fastpitch league.
Outside of coaching, Bradley is a loving husband and father, though the youth sports experience is a family effort. His wife Amy is his assistant softball coach, and his two daughters Shea,15, and Trinity, 12, are both all-star softball players. When he is not spending time with his family or teams, he is a Service and Support Administrator for the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities and he is also a councilman for the Village of Green Camp.
While juggling a full time job, family and multiple coaching responsibilities can be time consuming, Coach Bradley thrives in this environment. He shared that Weplay has been a time efficient communication tool that has given him the ability to stay connected with his team at any time even with his busy schedule.
Congratulations again Keith Bradley on being named the Coach of the Week!
Coach Keith Bradley’s Keys to Success:
Encourage athletes to perform at their maximum potential, while making the experience fun at the same time.
Try to remember that it's only a game, and that regardless of the final score, as long as your players tried their best, they will ALWAYS be winners.
Encourage your athletes to stay active and participate in sports, even if the sport that they choose is not one that you yourself coach.
