Workshop: November 4, 2010

D.R. Callentine

Football Player and Coach

Being big, strong and fast is NOT all it takes to be a good football player according to D.R. Callentine. Mr. Callentine explained to the TWS students that more than the right physical stature or talent is required to determine one's success in sports. It takes passion, a desire to achieve and the right attitude to reach one's best both in sports and in life! It's easy to see why D.R. Callentine is successful. He is fun-loving, talented, faith-filled and intelligent. Our children learned a great deal from this former Northwestern Wildcats letter-winning college football player. Mr. Callentine is currently a successful electrical engineer with Chamberiain Group, in Elmhurst, IL. However, we asked Mr. Callentine to come to TWS to share his experience of being on a college sports team. Through retelling a number of personal stories from this time in his life, he drove home a very important message. The message was that among other things it takes passion, commitment, intelligence and the right physical ability to become a good football player; this is true for almost every sport and when applied to life in general it also holds true. One of the reasons that he loves football so much is that he considers it the ultimate team sport! He told our kids that learning how to be a good team player is something that you will use throughout your career and life. The keys to football are discipline, teamwork, strategy and tactics. Learning how to use your brain in sports is equally as important as learning how to use your body. Taking the time to set up the right strategy regarding field position and exploiting the other team's weaknesses is important. Also, team and individual tactics such as learning stunts, blocking schemes, crossing routes, misdirection plays and trick plays are important. Then, of course, there is the execution--everyone must do their job!. You must be disciplined, know your responsibilities and work as a team player, passing on the temptation of wanting to "be the hero" and never forgetting that practice makes perfect. Mr. Callentine went on to say that using one's intelligence on the field is also key to success. He taught our kids that for every move, there is a counter move. The key is to recognize this as a team and then learn how to capitalize on it. Mr. Callentine taught these concepts is a creative way that allowed our children to see the carry-over of these character lessons to their own lives and life in general. He stressed the importance of having a strong faith and told them that with God on your side anything is possible. Our children got out of their seats. They learned the 3-point stance, how to throw and carry a football, how to tackle, how to take a hand-off and catch the ball. It was really a great lesson! Oh, and who could forget our kids doing their own "touchdown dance"! Thank you, D. R. Callentine.