At the beginning of this month, we gathered with the Athletic Directors (AD's) from participating parishes and schools to orient individuals new to the role as well as to review any program changes or points of emphasis for the upcoming year.
It is a committed group of individuals who take on this role in their parish/school community - they are asked to represent the philosophy, values, rules and processes of CYO Athletics while also advocating and facilitating the program at the local level.
They recruit volunteers and manage conflict, they promote registration and address glitches in the process. They do so because of their care for the youth of the community and the opportunity to use sports as a vehicle to impact their lives positively.
I was struck in this context by the recent Sunday readings that addressed
humility. While we are called to be humble, the AD's in our program are often called to live this out in a persistent manner as leaders in youth sports.
We are fortunate to have so many committed individuals who impact not only their local community but the larger one by the way they lead and implement the program of CYO Atheltics.
At our Champions of Faith Celebration in June, we had the opportunity to recognize George Shioyama, St. Anthony Renton as our 2015-16 AD of the Year. He is a strong example and witness to his peers and to his community by the way he acts with balance and a level headed approach as well as the commitment he models for all of us by how he is organized, manages conflicts, steps up to coach when necessary and even volunteers at track meets. Thank you, George for all that you do!
As we begin our program year, please take the time to say thank you to your CYO Athletics leadership at your parish/school - Athletic Director, Sport Coordinators, Board Members, Pastoral Leadership who provide support and encouragement to the coaches, kids and families who participate. And secondly, think about how you might have gifts to contribute to support that leadership in fulfilling the mission of CYO Athletics.
May our leadership in CYO Athletics at all levels be blessed with humility and be an outward sign of what we are called to.
