Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricky Thurman.
Hi Ricky, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was a football player all my life always knew the intricate parts of the game I was always the kind of teammate that would help other teammates understand the concepts most of my teammates say that I’ve been coaching since we were playing but I got my first coaching job after I left College I joined Akron East peewee dragons that was home that’s where I got my start playing football I love being a dragon I fell in love with those kids in 2015 because they all were eager to learn the game that I was so passionate about.
Going into my 11th coaching season I’ve seen a lot I’ve done a lot I’ve won a lot I’ve lost a lot but each season we come back for the grind The Chase of being a champion no better feeling than leading a group of young people into something that you have such love care and passion about.
With all that being said we’ve always been there at the end the teams that are prepared the teams that me and my guys coach year after year kid after kid we’re always at the end and it’s all because we work hard at what we do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Coaching football leading people is never going to be a smooth Road over the past decade I’ve experienced a lot of struggles within coaching from fundraising to transportation to getting funding scrapping for equipment scrapping for kids doing a lot just to coach the game of football you got outside stuff that goes on everybody has a life things go on things happen in life there’s a lot of outside things haters critics people that don’t want to see you succeed there was a point in time when I was coaching Middle School football that honest to God I felt like people were so eager to see us lose just so they can have something to talk about and I used to think that was outrageous because it’s almost like you’re praying on a kid’s downfall simply because of envy and jealousy of who the kids coaches is we went through financial struggles we’ve battled programs but the biggest obstacle that we overcome every single season is just getting the student athletes to be motivated this generation of young people they are different and it seems like they lose hope at an accelerated pace so it’s our job as Community activists coaches people that are dedicated to helping young people that’s our job to help motivate these kids to get out here play sports stay out of the street be successful there’s nothing wrong with working a nine to five job going to college and starting a family but in our generation a lot of kids don’t see it that way so that’s really the biggest obstacle just fighting the streets to let these kids stay kids.
We’ve been impressed with Barberton Youth Football and Cheerleading , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Barberton youth football and cheerleading his nonprofit organization that is dedicated student athletes in the Barberton Ohio/Summit County area.
BYF is an umbrella for many different programs in the football and cheerleading community we offer
-Community League Tackle Football and Cheer
-Pop Warner Travle Football and Competition cheerleading/Dance
-All Girls Flag Football
-Co-ed Flag Football
-Introduction cheerleading (Mini Magics)
I believe what sets byf apart from the competition is that we have a large number of individuals on our board that work hand in hand to create a wonderful football and cheerleading experience for over 300 kids per season I am most proud about the fact that we are growing and we’re starting to have success we just want to be looked at as a first class organization that comes to play
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Our BYF board is over 20 members and we are supported by all local businesses in the area, the Barberton mayor’s office, Barberton City School District, the Barberton VFW, Big Mike’s Automotive, Top 10 Productions, Winston Construction LLC and a host of other private sponsors
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barbertonyouthfootballandcheer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byfmagics?igsh=ZHZ2bW5tMm81ZG4=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16CBCUGLsv/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-thurman-246b66345?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Twitter: https://x.com/CoachThurman_73?t=gymvuvgfY9SwkmZftjDbuA&s=09
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@avantthurman93?si=sGvwgZdtEkdbe5Le
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/CoachThurm
