Coach Mike had just completed the 2005 Football Schedule. We were to open our season by travelling to Hollister. I sat and thought how just a little more than 55 years ago I was on a Fremont
team that went down to Hollister my junior year for the
last game of the season and then opened my senior season
against the Haybalers at Fremont. These memories were
very special because I had just spent over two hours with
my old coach up at the Palo Alto VA Hospital. He reminded
me of a very special thing that happened when we went to
Hollister my junior year. He asked if I remembered that
the team prayed together in the locker room before we went
out to the field. I told him that I remembered that part,
but didn't remember much of the game because I was knocked out
cold on the opening kick-off by a jarring tackle. We
talked about the events leading up to that pre-game
before taking the field. A number of us had been praying
together before each game that year. At first it was just
8 or 10 guys, but by the end of the season many of the
players were coming to the back of the locker area to pray
together. The last couple of games our senior captain,
all-league running back, student body president, had
joined the group. When we went down to Hollister for that
last game, he told me he was going to ask Coach Ken if we
could all pray together, coaches and players and
everybody. Before the coaches did their thing that night,
Coach Ken said that Bill had something to say. Bill then
said that it wasn't him, but Jerry that had something he
wanted to say. I was a bit frightened, but said how great
I thought it was that the whole team and coaches could
pray together before this final game. Then I did pray and
sat down. It was quiet for what seemed like a very long
time. Then Coach Ken said, "There's nothing else that the
coaches can say. You guys are ready to play. Let's go!"
It was really fun to share this and many other memories
with Coach. As I came back to the present, thinking about
the Words I might write about, the phrase Coach Ken used
those many years ago seemed to stand out. You guys are
ready to play. What is it that makes a team or an
individual READY? What do each of us do to get ready to
coach------or teach or serve? Preparation is so very
important. Mental and physical preparation is vital for
the athlete to be able to compete. And, it is very
interesting for me to watch the various coaches do the
things they think are the best ways to get their players
READY. The attention given to doing a drill perfectly.
The number of repetitions each player must do. The
intensity of each coach as he/she explains how this
activity in practice will lead to success in the game or
event. I am amazed at how outstanding the coaches,
teachers, administrators, staff------everyone here at
Valley-----are when I think of how they are
READY to do their job. Beyond this kind of preparation, I
want to encourage you to be READY in the spiritual sense,
also. Paul says in Romans 1:15, "So, to the fullest extent
of my ability, I am READY to come also to you in Rome to
preach God's Good News." Paul was totally prepared to
share the gospel. How did Paul get to this place where he
could make this statement about himself? I think that
Paul gives us a clue in another letter he wrote. In his
letter to the Ephesians, he says, "Put on all of God's
armor so that you will be READY to stand safe against all
the strategies and tricks of (that wily old coach) Satan."
I ask myself, Am I READY, to the fullest extent of my
ability? To share the Good News with my players and
opponents? Do I take as much time getting READY to compete
against Satan as I do the opposing coach? Paul makes a
wonderful statement to Timothy in his second letter---it
is how he answered the two questions I've asked myself:
(4:7-8) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith." It won't be my stats or
championships, but, Lord, I was READY to follow You? that
will count!
Ready or not!

Coach Hitch