Neil Sunday at work and play.
I have a special appreciation for all the men and women that volunteer their time to guide our children through the ins and outs of the various sports they play. As a former coach myself, I know what a difficult job it can be. First and foremost, you need to have a pretty good grasp on all aspects of your sport and be able to teach it in a way that can be understood by children and young adults. However teaching the fundamentals of a sport is really just a small part of the job. As a coach you also have to be a psychologist, a statistician, a politician, a resource manager, and motivational speaker just to name a few. More importantly though, a coach has to be a positive role model and a mentor.
Once an a while I have the pleasure of meeting someone that just seems to encompass anything and everything that we, as parents, would ever want for our children in a coach. In my opinion Neal Sunday is that kind of person. He’s my “kind of person.” Although my children are not snowboarders and have no specific contact with this Neil, I do know him and have had the pleasure of watching him interact with the kids in his program for several years.
image of Neil Sunday courtesy of Ski Roundtop Racing Club copyright 2010
Neal is coach with the Ski Roundtop Racing Club Snowboard Team, a 2007 Master’s National Champion, and Level 3 Certified Coach. So yep, Neil’s got some cred. However, beyond the titles, the trophies, medals, and accolades, Neil is just simply an uncomplicated, humble, and awesome individual. Every time I see him he’s got a smile on his face and an attitude to match. I can speak from personal experience that while he’s on “the hill” Neil’s always there to lend a hand to anyone who needs it. And for me a true measure of his success is in being able to impart those same qualities along to all the kids under his guidance.
So if you’re lucky enough to know Neil Sunday tell him “thanks” next time you see him. If you don’t know Neil then why not just send you favorite coach an email thanking them for everything they do for your child? I’m sure they would appreciate the gesture.
Images from the Frank Sheibley Race for Excellence have been uploaded for viewing and purchase. Photos are located in the PhotoFx Pros GALLERY.
PhotoFX Pros was honored to have been chosen as the official photographers for the Frank Sheibley Race for Excellence this past Sunday, January 3, 2010. The Race for Excellence is a slalom race held by the Ski Roundtop Racing Club held in honor of Frank Sheibley.
Frank was a former Ski Roundtop Racing Club member who tragically died in an automobile accident while attending a ski race in Maine. I had the pleasure of coaching Frank for a number of years and can honestly say that he was one of the finest, most dedicated, and hardest working young men I’ve ever met. I will carry memories of those years with me forever. If you’d like to read a little bit more about Frank Sheibley there’s a page on the SRRC web site HERE.
Conditions for the race were perfect although I could have done without the wind. The snow was firm and temperatures hovered around the high 20’s. The race was well attended with a hundred or so participants representing ski areas from all across Pennsylvania.
Since this is my blog I’d like to take a moment to put in a plug for the Ski Roundtop Racing Club (SRRC). The not-for-profit organization is run by a dedicated and hard-working group of volunteers and offers children between the ages of 6-18 an outstanding program that teaches skills beyond those needed to be successful ski and snowboard racers. If I sound a bit biased its because I was an SRRC coach for 11 years and loved every second. So if you have children who ski or snowboard you can find out more about the Ski Roundtop Racing Club HERE.
This past Sunday, December 20, NASTAR held it’s pacesetter trials at Ski Roundtop in Lewisberry, PA. NASTAR, which stands for National Standard Race, is the world’s largest recreational ski and snowboard race program. It allows skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities the chance to race against the clock, their friends, and other NASTAR participants locally and across the country.
The 40+ participants came from ski areas throughout Pennsylvania as well as several bordering states and were greeted by 8 to 12 inches of new snow, plenty of sunshine, and former US Ski Team member AJ Kitt. AJ skied in four Olympics, won a bronze medal in the downhill at the 1993 World Championships, was the U.S. downhill champion in 1992 and 1995, and U.S. Super G champion in 1991 and 1992.
Here are a few pictures from the event. All the images are available for viewing at the PhotoFX Pros Gallery under “Sports 2009″ then “Skiing”.
