When Meaningless Means Everything

I wanted to share this message from James that was posted on Facebook to his student-athletes and the Alvin community. This is what coaching beyond the game means. The title of Coach is so important in changing a kid's life. Those kids made a memory that will last a lifetime. Meaningless is just an opinion. Ask those kids and coaches now if the last game was "meaningless" So to All Coaches, be proud and capitalize the title "COACH". Remember it's the influence you make on a young athlete's life that is much more important than the number of wins you get. James is my son and I am extremely proud of him. I know his passion is in the right place, and he does it the right way. Way to go Coach! - Work Hard, Play Hard and Have Fun - Coach Ronnie Gage

WHEN MEANINGLESS MEANS EVERYTHING

By James Gage - Asst. AD/Head Football Coach Alvin HS

Our kids had “nothing to play for,” as most would say. We were 2-7 going into our last game of the year. This season has been a rollercoaster—full of highs, lows, and a lot of emotion. There were things that happened that I can’t discuss, things that made me question my love for the game. I spent much of the first part of the season with a knot in my stomach. But at my lowest point, my wife and family reminded me of something crucial: those boys needed me. No matter what, they needed me to show up every day and be the example they deserved. And they were right.

I pushed past the personal struggles, the negativity, the doubts, and over the last five weeks, I found my passion for coaching again.

Fast forward to Friday night, our final game of the year—the one our kids “had nothing to play for.” A few weeks earlier, I told them that if they kept showing up, working hard, doing the right things, holding themselves accountable, and being good people, something good would eventually happen in their lives.

With 7:18 left on the clock, Memorial scored a touchdown to tie the game. I looked at three of our team captains on offense and said, “Let’s go on a 7:18 drive and win this thing.” Without hesitation, they put their helmets on and said, “We got you, Coach.”

We marched down the field—13 plays, 54 yards, in 7 minutes and 16 seconds. We called a timeout with just 2 seconds left, ball on the 19-yard line, left hash.

We sent out our kicker to attempt the game-winning 36-yard field goal. He was a soccer player who’d never played football before this season. But he wasn’t nervous. He was ready. Ready to win this game for his teammates who hadn’t quit, who had worked so hard to get to this moment. Not only did he kick it… he made it—without a doubt. The crowd went wild. Kids and coaches rushed the field. The band roared. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think we had just won a district championship.

A game that seemed “meaningless” to most ended up meaning EVERYTHING to our boys. Watching their celebration, seeing the smiles, the tears, the hugs— it put everything into perspective. This game is about more than wins and losses. It’s about life. It’s about commitment, trusting the process, believing in something bigger than yourself, overcoming adversity, and never giving up when things get tough.

The boys gave me my first-ever Gatorade bath that night. And even though our final record was 3-7 and we didn’t make the playoffs, that Gatorade bath meant more to me than any playoff win ever could.

I’m proud of our team. Of course, I’m sad the season is over, but I’m excited to watch these young men go on to do great things. For the underclassmen, we’ll use this moment to fuel a great offseason. For the seniors, this is a memory they’ll never forget. I’m honored to wear the title of “Coach.” JPND!!

Read the entire December 2024 Issue of Texas Coach here: https://issuu.com/thscacoaches/docs/dec24upload?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ