In our series, “Mission Moments,” we feature stories of coaches, VISTAs, staff and ambassadors who want to talk about why they are a part of Up2Us Sports and share specific moments they have experienced as living examples of our mission.
Shay Watkins served as a coach with Up2Us Sports during the 2019-2020 program year. She served youth at Memphis Athletic Ministries in Memphis, Tennessee. While in her term of service, she was in her last year of college. She was a triple major and in May of 2020, graduated with English, Psychology, and Kinesiology Degrees. She is a single mother of a growing boy, Slay. In July of 2020, Shay reached out to let us know she had accepted a job as an Athletic Director for DeSoto County Schools, and her now supervisor was not only pleased with her and her experience, but told her "the Coach of the Month spotlight was impressive" Shay reached out again in April of 2021 to thank the Up2Us Sports South Program Team for the recognition and how it was a testament to how far she has come.
Below is the Coach of the Month Spotlight on Shay that helped impress her new boss:
What role did Up2Us Sports play in your career choice and progression?
Serving with Up2Us Sports played a huge role in my career choice as an athletic director. Serving with Up2Us Sports provided the experience I needed to work on this type of level, such as how to work with kids of all ages as well as parents.
What skills or lessons did you take away from your Up2Us Sports' experience?
The skills I learned were learning to adapt more to younger kids (Elementary). I was accustomed to working with the middle and high school kids. Also, I learned different coping skills, because not all kids react the same way. I learned how to include all kids and make sure everyone feels loved and cared for.
What is your favorite memory from your service year?
My favorite memory would have to be coaching the boys' basketball team. It was my first time coaching an all boys' team, however it allowed me to gain a relationship/friendship with the boys in the program.
Shay served as an Up2Us Sports coach from October 2019 through June 2020 at Memphis Athletic Ministries thanks to support from AmeriCorps.
