Mt. Airy Baseball Coach Wins National Award

The following is a press release.

Gerald Caldwell, a coach for Mt. Airy Baseball, has won Positive Coaching Alliance’s coveted Double-Goal Coach Award presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance for his positive impact on youth athletes.

The award – named for coaches who strive to win while pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports – carries a $250 prize, a trophy and mention within the websites and newsletters of Positive Coaching Alliance (www.PositiveCoach.org) and the Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports program (ResponsibleSports.com).

“Gerald helps youth athletes win on and off the field,” said Jim Thompson, founder and CEO of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and author of eight books on youth sports, including The Power of Double-Goal Coaching. “By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience, and serving as a Double-Goal Coach, Gerald helps youth develop into better athletes and better people.”

Caldwell keeps a focus on fun with his players. “If you can’t enjoy this, then why do it?” he said. “You come to this field with a smile on your face, and you leave this field with a smile on your face. Nobody worries about wins and losses but the coach. You want to blame somebody, blame me. Kids of eight, nine, 10, 11, 12 years old can’t walk around with that on their shoulders.”

Caldwell – a grandfather of three, who moved to Mt. Airy in 1987 – also noted some more serious aspects of youth sports. “Being in the part of the city I’m in, we’ve worked through some racial tensions,” he said. “Bringing cultures together is one of the biggest life lessons. Kids don’t pick these things up automatically in the streets. Some of these things are taught. I try to teach that color doesn’t matter. Whatever you want out there, you can get it if you focus.”

Caldwell’s approach embodies the shared values that are central to Liberty Mutual Insurance and PCA, which also have partnered to help youth sports coaches and parents through the Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports Program Powered by Positive Coaching Alliance.

“This prestigious award celebrates coaches who are doing the right thing, by promoting the fundamental ideals of community through positive mentoring,” said Julie Brassard, Liberty Mutual Insurance manager of sponsorships.  “We applaud coaches like Gerald Caldwell for effectively using sports to teach valuable life lessons to our youth.”

Founded in 2007, the program serves as a means to highlight the positive impact that everyday, responsible actions can have on our youth. The program provides resources for parents and coaches at ResponsibleSports.com to help children reap the full benefits of playing a team sport.  The online community incorporates podcasts, videos, and best practices on youth sports topics that provide practical, real-world advice.  Parents and coaches also can complete guides on positive sports mentoring that offer best practices for handling challenging sports scenarios.