I am 34 years old and was raised in Los Angeles, California. I was born in Mexico and came to this great country at the age of 8. Learning a new language was probably the toughest adjustment I had to make in my new life at that age. Thankfully, I found sports to help me interact and feel more comfortable being around new kids. Sports opened the door for me to make new friends and be successful at something when I was struggling with so many new things in this country. I was very fortunate to have coaches throughout the years that gave me the confidence I needed during my youth. It simply felt like someone cared. Sports transcends so many barriers. I learned in my young adulthood that sports have the power to unify, empower and motivate!
“Sports opened the door for me to make new friends and be successful at something when I was struggling with so many new things in this country.”
That's the impact sports had in my life and I want to give the same experience to as many youth as I possibly can. I want to continue to be that person that helps kids overcome obstacles through sports. Up2Us Sports has taught me so many valuable lessons to help me in this endeavor. I've learned strategies to help build team chemistry as well as how to improve performance and discipline in my basketball team. We now have Team Time before practice where my players and I have the opportunity to talk about anything and strengthen our bond. This also gives me the chance to gauge how my kids are feeling and what adjustments, if any, I have to make to our practice depending on my players energy levels on any particular day.
My players discipline has improved greatly thanks to the guidance of Up2Us Sports. I now have the team’s Code of Conduct visible at every practice and we go over it every day. I've learned that consistency is key. Up2Us Sports has helped me in my development as a coach, and I couldn't be more grateful for the amazing work they do to help in the development of coaches across the country. I am now more proactive and aware of my kid’s personalities, attitudes, energy levels, and feelings. I now get better outcomes from my players because of it. I will forever be grateful to everyone at Up2Us Sports for all the amazing work they do with coaches across America.
Coach Emmanuel is currenting serving as an Up2Us Coach at Woodcraft Rangers in Los Angeles coaching basketball. His position is generously funded by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
