I am pulling a late tonight at the office and I just had a few thoughts going through my head. I have been thinking a lot about tomorrow night's field dedication to Coach Lambros at North and Mantle's Ribbon Cutting and tailgate party before the game. It's an emotional time for me.
I look back at my time coaching. If you didn't already know, I helped coach 2 years at North. Those two years were so eye-opening to me. The time and energy that it takes to get ready on Friday nights is amazing. Now looking back, I finally understand. To get to the top of your "field" it takes countless hours of prep. I remember when our football team was terrible and it was more because of our attitude and not our ability. When the new coaching staff came in, they changed this. We worked out late, studied film, and took preparation seriously. I thank God for this because I realized at an early age that I was a clumsy white guy that would never be more athletic than most, but I could put in the time and effort to study and practice my job.
It started with AAU basketball and just a few kids that wanted to absorb the game and would run through a wall for our coach. We went from losing our first game by 64 points to being one of the top teams in the state in just 4 years. And the reason I am wanting to blog about this is because of the time and effort it took to get good. It wasn't overnight and it wasn't easy. And we weren't alone. It took a whole cast of people. Most of them weren't players, but just sat in the stands, supported us, and encouraged us along the way. People like the coaches' wives.
They pull double duty at home (most with small children at home) during practice times and game-day. They do it while the coaches get the glory. So ,to all you coach's wives, thank you! Thank you for allowing your husbands to pour out into our community. I think of Sharon Lambros. She is one of the sweetest women you will ever meet. I had the pleasure of being around her because her son Josh and I our the same age. Every time I saw her I never saw her mad that even through the winter months, Coach Lambros was out there becoming the best softball coach in North Carolina. I have no clue the sacrifices that she put in, but thank you.
So tonight I want to switch gears. I want to say thank you to all of you that have supported my life's journey whether it was time, money, or advice. It's a big day for me and the company. I know that we aren't where I want to be, but we are still "digging." Because of this, I want to say thank you to my family. Thank you to my parents. It hasn't been easy, but you believed in me. Dad, you helped create my work ethic; Mom, you always were there to listen to me; and Erica, thanks for letting me shine when we were little. I know that you all spent many hours sitting in a gym or stadium when you didn't have to. To my wife Bonnie, thanks for just letting me run with it. You never doubt any crazy decision I have made. Josh & Leigh, we have rolled together forever and you put up with my craziness. Matt & Ashley, I am blessed to have true friends that want to grow together. Mark and Michele, thank you buddy for being my sounding board and my voice of reason. To the rest of you, I appreciate everything you have done for me - your time, effort and just believing in me through this journey.
- Dustin
North Davidson Football is almost like church around here. Each season, a new group of young men come together and carry with them the hearts of a community. I wanted to take a moment, A few hours before our young men take to the home field for the first time this season, to tell you what being a part of this community means to me, to my family, and to my friends.
Here on our blog, we'll show you some of our featured listings, but maybe more importantly, we'll show you what it's like to live here in the Davidson County area. We'll give you some glimpses of what goes on with the Mantle Team. We'll keep you informed about what's going on in the community. We'll celebrate life together.
