COACH K'S CORNER: Welcome

I have been coaching youth football at various levels (flag-high school) for 13 years and have been fortunate to have been a part of some very special teams. I started coaching flag for the YMCA and found a home with MVPW & MVHS. Having been with this program for a spell has allowed me to grow as a person and mentor. It has opened doors for me that I would have never thought would be possible to open.

I have learned so much about human nature and how awesome the innocence of a child really is and conversely, reminded of how scorned and callused adults can be. I learned that there are still people in the world that still offer unconditional guidance and sacrifice beyond their immediate families. I learned there is still value when a person exudes effort whether you win or lose. I learned I don’t know everything and can spin any experience, good or bad, in a way that soothes the hardest of hearts. The perception of adversity to me is really an opportunity to solve a problem.

I encourage and challenge everyone to walk the shoes of a coach, team parent, or board member so that you feel the fulfillment I do. There is camaraderie among those who serve. The endless effort in preparation, the adversity, the tough decisions, and the sense of knowing you had a hand in accomplishing great things. Some may say it is thankless and not worth it. I say, wake up at 4:30 AM on a Saturday morning, go to Los Alamos & set up 3 fields, work 16+ games, smell the snack bar, listen to the cheers, watch the bustle and struggle of competition, clean the fields, drive the field equipment back to the containers at 10:00 PM, drive home completely exhausted and finally pouring yourself into bed knowing you made a positive difference. Just watch a child get his issue of equipment in July… PURE JOY! He is filled with hope, dreams, and the desire to be accepted by his teammates. Wake up 4:30 AM and start driving down the 15 freeway to Torrey Pines HS for an 8:00 game, eating breakfast in the car, watching the sun creep over Palomar Mountain, and the whole way wondering if you prepared the team enough.   

IT HAS BEEN WORTH IT! 

The “football experience” has gone beyond being a coach and administrator. While football may have been the basis of these relationships, they have grown beyond football. There is nothing like seeing a former player or family around town and greeting you like a long lost uncle. Nothing like being invited to watch a former player graduate from Marine Corps boot camp, a former player coming to your house and showing you letters from prominent D-I schools, parents calling you to come over and asking you to talk to their son to help get them back on the right track. Always being able to pick up the phone and talk to a guy you used to coach with to talk about life’s challenges. Good stuff!

My final piece of advice… The game is perfect. You are not perfect, nor are your opponents. Your opponents, the fans, & referees are there so you can try to beat the game, so play the game not your opponents. It takes the negative emotion away from beating the other guy and forces you to focus on what you can control- YOURSELF.

Much like the young player looking to be accepted on his team, MVPW accepted me and for that, I thank you all.  I wish everyone success on anything passionately endeavored.

Much Love & Respect,

Mike Kulow – Coach “K”     

MVPW VP of Football