[The Cross Movement]

I have been part of the program the last few years. The reason I am writing this will be obvious as it concludes, this is the first time I have felt the need to post anything. In 2009, Coach Clinton Gay and his staff led Mccreary Central to their best season to date. It was a total team effort and everyone who was part of it should be proud of their accomplishment! When Coach Gay retired, I came on staff with the new head coach in 2010 as a para-professional and pledged to stay on as long as he wanted me. The last three years is not what he or his staff had hoped for. No one hurts more when a team does not win than coaches - you feel every missed block, dropped ball, fumble, and missed tackle. I came to McCreary because of a deep calling to the boys and community. I even planted a church there. The players initiated a Fellowship of Christian Athletes group and many players trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savor! I have always seen coaching as a mere tool to influence the lives of young men I ordinarily would not have the opporitunity to influence. On the field it was tough, it was what it was, no excuses! As a coach you either pack it up, or get better - go to clinics, learn from others, improve and find answers, I have always been a fighter and have always looked for ways to get better!

I began coaching in 1997 at a Christian school in Nebraska, it has been my passion ever since. I served under a great man who taught me to always focus on the Main Things. I seriously contemplated hanging up the whistle this year, mainly because I lost sight of the Main Thing for which God called me to the ministry of coaching, not that winning is not important because it is! Today, as I was helping the middle school, one of our returning Varsity players was hanging out at the practice for the second day in a row and past the time most Varsity players typically would hang around middle school practice. I walked over to him and said are you "okay," he said "yes." This young man, a senior, never played before last year and fought his way into a starting Defensive End spot. I asked him if he was waiting for his mother and father, thinking he lived with them, he said "no," I live with my aunt - my father is dead and mother is a drug addict who does not live in the state. The coaches are his Dad, the only role model he will have to teach him how to be a man! He hangs around the practices because for this young man the game is his escape, his esteem and his identity, it is here he learns how to be a man from his coaches. This young man is one of many in McCreary County who are the Main Things! They are the reason every coach past and present do what we do! You only need to spend one day with these boys to love them like your own son, and yes they can tick you off like your own son, but deep down you love and would give an arm up for them! It is why I press on and why many of the past and present coaches press on and fight or have fought for these boys!

Am I the best asst. coach "NO," what I don't know I am willing to learn though.

Have I been perfect "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" However, the past is the past, a new era will be ushered in shortly! Whoever, the next head coach is we must ALL rally around him, we ALL have one common goal and that is the Main Thing - the boys! I personally ask anyone to forgive me if I have done anything to offend you, I more than likely have :igiveup: I apologize to every player for not doing enough to ensure your success in the areas I was responsible for, you are more than champs in my eyes! I am asking everyone to support the new coach and his staff, whoever they may be. They deserve a fresh and new start despite how we may feel toward particular individuals knowing that the eyes of the next generation will be shaped by what they see in us! If my tenure has come to an end, I thank all of you from McCreary County who gave me the chance to coach your native sons, it was my privilege and high honor. I learned more from them, then they ever did from me!

I am part of Raider Nation Always!

J.G. Hallock+
"All give some, some give All!"