Everyone wants to win a trophy, but good times and fellowship is the real prize

Ok we got the Brawl, Blast, and other great events coming down the pike, now I just like you guys would love to be in that final game, sweatin', making big runs and being the last man standing. But the bigger prize is spending time with my brothers and friends at an event, the memories of the first Brawl will last in my mind forever. So practice, plan and get ready but the time we share together is much more valuable than any trophy, belt, whatever. We dont get to see each other every day, so treasure that time we do get spend as brothers in our beloved hobby.

Stay Blesssed

P.S. Hype is cool, but the big picture is true fellowship.

[bigdawg43]

For me, I very rarely play, I prefer to paint so fellowship is my trophy. When the guys were getting together here in the burgh I would just go to hang out. I enjoyed talking EF and watching how the other guys coached, getting and giving tips and so on. I got to meet new guys and actually see someone that I hadn't seen since high school. That is what it is all about.

[Coach_J]

Biglock I could not agree with you more. I have noticed that sometimes we take these plastic men far too seriously. My experience at the Brawl last year is something that will stay with me forever. It had NOTHING to do with how I played because I was bounced in the first round. Instead it was being able to FELLOWSHIP with the people in the community who I have corresponded with via the chatboards. As you said the trophies are fine but secondary. The time spent fellowshipping and learning from each other is what comes FIRST.


Coach J

Lock your message is an important one… Yes there are going to be trophies and awards, but more importantly there are going to be rewards. The kind that makes you glad you were a part of something special. Last year we had a lot of coaches here in Tidewater and it was wonderful, but I couldn’t help but think about my brothers who couldn’t attend because of various circumstances. You, Vic, Roo, EddieV, DMC, and Bill were all very much missed. Yes we had a ball, and yes the show had to go on, but you guys really helped us get this puppy off the ground; I just wish you all could have tasted the fruits of your labors. The atmosphere was ripe for fellowship, and those that wanted it made the most of it. I recently read a post about treating a coach like a rock star, but to tell you the truth I’d like everyone that attends to be treated well. After all the festivities are over I hope everyone leaves feeling glad that they spent the weekend with us here in Tidewater.

We can’t govern people’s emotions… all we can do is provide a decent venue for friends and family to have fun… the rest is up to them. I hope everyone has a great time at whichever tournament he or she attends. Try to make a new friend, hangout with old friends, or mend fences with ex-friends. Either way you’ll be making some great memories. At my home I have a lot of trophies and awards. All they do is get old, collect dust and then (after a while) I box them up and put them in my shed. The rewards I’ve gotten from every tournament I’ve ever attended, stay fresh and clean in my mind and never get old.

Peace,

Don Smith

[Reginald Rutledge]

Too much emphasis is placed on winning and the pressures become so great that the fun is taken out of it. It's good to hype things up but "Don't believe the hype". Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time and even the so-called great ones can lose too. So when such much is placed on the winning and losing, it definitely can shed a negative light on an event.

I think both Biglock and Old School hit it on the head. I am coming not to play but hear Norbert laugh, or Biglock talk for 10 minutes before I can get a word in. I am coming to see Jimbo patrol everyone. I am coming to see Mozeek for the first time. I am coming to see Ernie Grice who I just enjoy hanging around. I am coming to hear the perils of Tron1984. I am coming to see Brian Healy's wife and talk about Rocky Top. I am coming to see K-Lo, "The Guru" offer up some wisdom on 3-4 defenses. I am coming to see the kid in the candy store, Kevin Boddie. I am coming to see Ed Roche as him and I will hold hands for about 3 hours talking stadiums. I am coming to meet Mark Francis for the 1st time. What a treat that will be. I am coming to see Pastor Mark, my buddy from Florida. I am coming to see Broncoman, who I have not seen for a few years now. I am coming to see Treks to see the little boy in a grown man. I am coming to see Joel to do some scrimmaging and pull off a few shenanigans with. I am coming to see Ed Morgans, someone who we've got to just sit and talk about things and even scrimmage. I will always come to see my boy, Jim Davis. I am coming to see my nephew DC to check and see what's going on in this young "Fighting Irish life". I am coming to see Lisa to just see how she's doing. I am coming to see Don run around like a chicken with his head cut off and asking him if I can help only to have him tell me, you just being here is a help. I want to see Pat Morris and ask him, "Why in the he#l he is not here in Dallas yet?"

These are the types of reasons that I am coming. So many people I want to see. You never know if that will be your last time so you embrace the moment and celebrate being in the moment, not winning or losing.

Reg