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Marine Inspires Youth Through Football
(April 22, 2009) | 
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| | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Japan , April 16, 2009 –
While growing up in the inner city of St. Louis, Marine Corps Sgt. Timothy
Craig had two choices: turn to sports or the streets.
For Craig, football was the answer. He started playing at age
7, was very successful and pursued it throughout his youth.
During high school, Craig grew into a leader on the field, which kept him on
the right path even while school presented its challenges.
"I struggled with school work," he admitted. "The only
reason I went to high school was because of football."
Craig continued to struggle with school work throughout
high school and beyond. After a year at Joplin Junior College in Joplin,
Mo., his grades were not holding up, and Craig had to abandon his dream of
playing college football. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004.
While serving in California with the Corps, Craig continued to play an
active role in the football community, coaching a youth league at Marine
Corps Air Station Miramar and playing on the all-Marine team at Camp
Pendleton. After arriving on Okinawa in 2007, he became a coach in the
Kadena Youth Tackle Football League. After two seasons, the league was
disbanded because there wasn't enough interest.
But Craig saw things differently. |
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| Marine Corps Sgt.
Timothy Craig monitors offensive drills before
the Mitey Mite division championship game of the
Okinawa Youth Football League, March 22, 2009,
at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan.
Craig is commissioner of the league and coaches
the Kadena Panthers. U.S. Marine Corps photo by
Staff Sgt. Leo A. Salinas |
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"A lot of the kids were heartbroken," Craig said. "I
thought it was upsetting that these kids had no outlet, and I thought
something had to be done. These kids sacrifice enough being part of the
military community, and I didn't think they should have to sacrifice
football as well."
Seeing a need for a youth tackle football league, Craig decided to start up
the Okinawa Youth Football League.
The league is straightforward. There are no contracts, trade deadlines,
advertisements or concession stands. It is just 15 teams dedicated to
football, pure and simple.
The entire league is funded by contributions from the players' parents,
Craig said.
The league does not single out individual effort or award most valuable
player trophies. Instead, coaches stress the importance of teamwork and how
each player's contribution is important to the overall team. The players
give their all, not for money, but only for the love of the game. They play
through fatigue not for fame, but simply to learn the game of football,
Craig said.
"The league teaches humility," he said. "Players learn the difference
between winning and losing, they learn the definition of teamwork, and they
learn about their individual character. But, as coaches, we remind them that
it's not about winning and losing, it's about learning fundamentals and
having fun."
Craig said the most important thing about the league is the academic
performance a player must maintain to remain eligible to play. Coaches
monitor grades, and players must maintain a 2.0 grade point average and
proper attendance records.
"The league is built on the very principle that kept me from pursuing my
dreams," Craig said. "I want these kids to realize that although sports are
significant, the most important aspect is education” | |
By USMC Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough
Marine Corps Bases Japan
Special to American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
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