Dad's Suggestion 38 Years Ago Changed My Life Forever

When I was 15 years old, I entered high school convinced I would spend my life as a dwarf.

I was 5 feet tall and weighed 80 pounds.

In spite of this, I tried to go out for football.  They didn't have a uniform that fit me so I ran cross country.  In the winter, well, basketball was definitely out of the question.  Not only was I short; I had a verticle leap of about three inches.

My dad suggested wrestling, and I have never looked back.

Here was a sport where I could compete against guys my own size.  I no longer felt small.  I was just the right size, no matter what that size was.  

That was 38 years ago.

I look back now, more convinced than ever, that wrestling changed my life for the better.  

It gave me confidence. I began to carry myself like a man instead of a little boy.  There were no bullies; at least none that bothered me.  Not because I was tough.  I was just different, maybe unafraid is a better word.  People see that in you and it registers somewhere deep down inside.

The sport taught me decipline.  Workouts were long and tiring.  Competition was a daily event.  And best of all, the harder I worked, the better I became.  I showed up, paid my dues and reaped the rewards.

Today, I am an assistant coach at Novato High School.  There are five other assistants like myself.  We got the wrestling fever decades ago and it never left us.

Now, what does all of this have to do with your summer plans?

Possibly nothing.

The Novato Recreational Department has an abundance of activities for you and your children.  I recommend you visit their website.  This department is one of our town's treasures and we are lucky to have such dedicated people working there.

However, I will give you an alternative to think about.

Every Monday and Friday, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., there is an "Open Mat" session at the old gym at Novato High.  Your kids, generally 12 years old through 18, can go there and learn to wrestle.  This is a free service. Novato's head wrestling coach, Eric Brielmaier, runs this program.  He and several other assistant coaches are there to help your kids learn to wrestle.  They also help kids get to tournaments or go rock climbing.  All of this is at no cost to you, or anyone.  The coach donates his time to you.

If you would like to find out more about this activity, drop by on Mondays or Fridays.  You can also contact the coach at novatowrestling@me.com.  Drop him a line.  He can answer all of your questions.  It's also a good idea to ask him to put you on his mailing list.  Dates and times can change and he makes sure you know when that happens.

I'll see you there.  I'll be the 200-pound man with an 80-pound boy inside.

As for now ... I have a world to save.

Up, up and away.

My wrestling blog is at http://thewrestlingcoach.blogspot.com

My blog is at http://jamesdillingham.com