Coach Chris Ward: Inspiring Hoops Coach and Life Skills Teacher
I have been fortunate in my life to meet people who inspire me. Coach Chris Ward is one of those people. I recently had the opportunity to watch Chris lead two basketball skills clinics for one of my sons and his teammates. Riveting, powerful, demanding, committed and compassionate are some of the adjectives that come to mind as I reflect upon how I felt and what I saw while watching these events. I think Chris Ward is the best player motivator and developer I have ever had the opportunity to watch or play for.
I have played for many coaches in my life, and am blessed to have had the opportunity to play Division 1 Lacrosse for a nationally ranked team. Believe me when I say Chris Ward is an amazing coach. Watching him teach my oldest son (13 years old) and his teammates basketball and Life skills was like watching a master at work. Seriously! Chris knows just how far to push these young and impressionable athletes to develop their full potential and knows just when to stop pushing and give them a hug and a word of encouragement. Compassion combined with a Warrior Spirit! A very rare gift to be able to bestow and a cultivated skill that Chris owns.
We all know that life does not operate on a level playing field. Each of us must strive to become the best person we can be, in all areas of our lives. Very few people will realize their dream of playing professional sports. However, having dreams and goals and striving to attain them is an essential part of life. Without dreams and goals, life would hold less meaning for me and I suspect for you as well. Coach Ward instills determination, motivation, a strong work ethic, confidence and inspiration in his players. He demands the best from each player according to his or her ability AND he gives them the skills and knowledge to excel and break through boundaries on the court.
Sports as a metaphor for life. Not a new concept but extremely on target when describing how Chris Ward helps to strengthen and develop essential life skills in his players.
The impact that Coach Ward has on his players is apparent in a matter of minutes! Once the training session begins there is no outside world, just the court and 100% focus! My son and his teammates, in my opinion, were literally transformed in front of my eyes. They became a single unit, true teammates, unselfish, supportive of each other while being totally responsible for their own effort level. Individuals and one unit simultaneously….magical to see…
If you ever have the opportunity to give a child, yours or someone else’s the gift of being taught, pushed and coached by coach Chris Ward that child will never be the same…….he or she will have a new sense of themselves, they will have faced fear and been coaxed through it, they will know that they can achieve things they thought they could not…….life skills, essential…….if you ever have the chance to watch Chris in action, truly watch him, listen to him, focus on his words, actions and glean his reasons for his teachings you will come away a changed person as well………just like I did.
Chris Ward is a very special person. He has overcome more than his share of obstacles and blows only to rise up stronger, wiser and more humble as a result…..And totally focused on succeeding and helping children and young adults and their coaches and parents. Coach ward has all the credentials if you feel the need to know that. He has been on the coaching staff of The University of South Carolina Upstate Men’s Basketball Team, a NCAA Division 2 Team. He was the Head Coach for The Hastings High School Men’s Basketball Team, leading them to their first undefeated regular season in the school’s history. He was voted Westchester County Coach of the Year and the New York State Section 1 Coach of the Year. His work as a Head Coach in 17 years and under AAU has resulted in an overall record of 31-10 with 4 championships and 2 Finals Appearances…….Do you get the picture….
Coach Chris Ward states “It is easy to play the game of basketball. It takes Desire, Hard Work and Discipline to become a BASKETBALL PLAYER.”
Here is a link to a video that gives you a brief overview of Coach Ward’s Philosophy and shows some footage from some of his skills based camps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWAauU6pvbg.
But to really get an understanding of the power of Coach Chris Ward and the impact he has on the lives of young children and adults, you need to see him in action LIVE. Visit www.chriswardbasketball.com, call Chris at (914) 831-5891 or email him at CJWTraining@aol.com. You will be glad you did. Chris Ward inspires me. He truly walks the talk.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.