Why do I Primarily Coach High School Athletes?
I coach some elite and pro-level runners. However, I am cautious about who I coach in these categories time-wise because I can only work with a few athletes well.
I intentionally limit the pro-level and national-class athletes I coach for another reason.
My primary coaching mission is to help high school students. I left coaching Olympic Trials athletes years ago to coach high school students and only recently returned to help a few pro-level athletes.
Helping high school student-athletes reach their God-given potential through the sport of running is my main focus each day.
Each coach has a different focus and scope in life. We need diversity in missions to help and serve others well.
Building faith through running is my number one goal.
My life focus is faith formation in high school because many evidence-based resources state the most crucial faith formation years are the teenage years.
I’ve never pursued telling my story in all the years I’ve coached.
I was asked to share my story in the video below recently for the first time.
No other organization has ever asked me to tell my story formally.
Helping kids build their faith and life skills through running is not at the top of any popularity list I am aware of in my journey.
However, our time on this earth is very short. No one will remember us after we are gone. All the awards, honors, and championships fade away.
All that is left physically when we are gone is a box of trophies and ribbons that have little meaning to anyone except for a family member or two.
No, the reason I coach is much more important than pursuing championships and records.
The reason I coach ultimately comes down to building faith in Jesus.
Jesus revealed what is most important when confronted with the question of what’s most important in life.
Loving God and loving others is what matters now, and when we are gone is my understanding of the essence of what he said.
Use whatever gifts you’ve been given to Love God and to Love others. Each person can love, help, and serve others with their giftings in unique ways.
How you use your gifts matters now and matters into eternity.
If you are interested in why I coach, it is summarized in this two-minute video: My Story | Larry | February 26, 2023 - YouTube.
Blessings,
Coach Weber
Philippians 4:13