Photo Credit: Courtesy of NAYS
Recreation professionals often put in ridiculously long hours, so even the smallest gestures from youngsters in the programs can have the biggest impact. Just ask Landon Carroll, the Recreation Program Manager for the town of Holly Springs Parks & Recreation in North Carolina.
“I remember working skills-assessment for a 9-10 boys soccer league,” recalls Carroll, who is in his fourth year as the recreation program manager at Holly Springs, and is a Certified Youth Sports Administrator. “All of the parents and players were leaving at the end to get in their cars. We were cleaning up equipment on the field when I looked up to see one of the participants running back out to the field. I thought he had forgotten a ball or water bottle. He came right up to me just to say, ‘Thanks, coach’ and ran back to the car. That one little comment made that long day worth it.”
Despite the long and challenging days in providing soccer, football, baseball, basketball, softball, track and field, and cheerleading programs for youngsters ranging from ages 4 to 16, it is also incredibly rewarding for Carroll to be able to positively influence the lives of children through sports.