“Those of us who valued athletic and sports activities as children often needed a way to get involved. We had limited access to trained coaches and facilities and lacked the support of our parents and teachers.

They didn’t think of sports as a way to change a person’s life. I struggle daily to convey the importance of doing athletics and setting the stage for a healthy lifestyle. Whether competing in soccer, basketball, tennis, or something else, becoming engaged is a way to inspire minds to greatness. To most of the adults I came in contact with, sports was something kids did after schoolwork was completed. They didn’t see it as a career path, a team-building experience, or a way to feel what success looks like. Nor did they realize that establishing an exercise routine early in life would contribute to becoming a healthy adult.