By Matt Browning

Ben Brown has the right combination when it comes to being an affective YMCA volunteer coach.

“I have always enjoyed working with kids and playing/coaching sports, so volunteering with the YMCA has been a perfect fit,” Brown said. “While I do have some experiences coaching and playing at higher levels, I appreciate the opportunity that the YMCA provides to meet kids where they are at.”

Brown started volunteering in 2021 and has coached soccer and basketball ever since.

“I learned very quickly that I couldn’t just be a dad on the sideline, especially when I observed some coaches who were either uninterested, or were not teaching the fundamentals well,” Brown said.

There is one personal memory that stands out to Brown.

“When coaching my daughter’s 5th/6th grade basketball team, it became apparent very quickly that we were the youngest, smallest, and least experienced team,” Brown said. “We lost our first five games, and more of them weren’t even close. But, as the girls began to build confidence, recognize their specific roles on the team, and worked hard for each other, they were rewarded in the final game of the season with a surprise victory over a team that had beaten them twice earlier in the season.”

Brown admits that he is very competitive, but he has focused on skill development and growth over the wins and losses.

“The kids need role models who will love them, push them, and have fun with them,” Brown said. “If you can do those things, sign up ASAP.”