Who is ESN?
ESN Athletic Association is a non-profit youth sports organization (YSO) that's all about influencing kids in a positive way. We implement a life-skills coaching philosophy that fosters an EXCELerating environment for all our players; replacing the high-pressure, win-at-all cost environment of many competitive youth sports teams with an approach that focuses on winning in life, not just on the scoreboard.
There is no question that ESN athletes are coached to WIN. But ESN also realizes that youth are dropping out of sports at an alarming rate. A major contributing factor is the "win at all cost" mentality of many parents and coaches that creates a pressure filled environment for the kids and ultimately turns them away from sports.
ESN is a proud member and sponsor of the Positive Coaching Alliance. They are a national organization that provides live, research-based training workshops and practical tools that help coaches, parents and organizations like ESN who operate youth sports programs. It is important to know that ESN is not just "all about the sport". It is about influencing kids in a positive way and teaching life skills. We will continue to put forth every effort to foster an EXCEL-erating environment for all our players.
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The ESN “Select” Theory (does not minimize our focus on influencing ALL youth)
Let's start by first saying that ESN strongly supports the efforts of all youth sports organization (YSO) designed for similar purposes-to administer youth sports teams designed to teach proper fundamentals through practice and competitions while focusing on the development of strong character traits like responsibility, perseverance, sportsmanship and integrity. Most organizations, including ESN (as in the fall football program), are designed for the purpose of allowing ALL young players (at all skill levels) to participate in equal-play opportunity leagues.
That being said, our "select" teams provide the opportunity for players to be "hand-chosen" by coaches who ultimately compete at a higher level than traditional league play. We feel that by offering a "select" alternative provides the opportunity for select players to be more equally challenged by players with similar skill levels.
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The ESN Mission Statement
ESN aspires to be an outstanding educational-athletic organization that provides a platform by which the very culture of competitive youth teams embraces a philosophy that’s primary goal is to influence its athletes in a positive, character-building way.
Three of our goals include:
- To replace the high-pressure, win-at-all cost environment of many competitive youth teams with an approach that focuses on winning in life, not just on the scoreboard—while teaching life lessons that encourages its athletes in a positive way;
- To teach, train and support coaches in the creation and maintenance of a positive, motivating and productive Team Management System within their ball club, resulting in a transformation of the very core values that redefines its success—helping its athletes to not only Excel in Sports, but to Excel in Life;
- To stimulate other competitive youth teams to embrace the same mission and desire on a national level.
There are many individualized competitive youth teams that desire to subscribe to such an honorable purpose in the confines of their center of influence. ESN has developed a Team Management Program to equip these teams with the practical tools and infrastructure to manage these worthy goals while creating a culture where kids love to play the game… that lasts a lifetime.
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Excel in Sports. Excel in Life.
It is our belief that a student-athlete’s participation in sports can greatly influence them in a positive way while building strong character qualities that can form a solid foundation to EXCEL in life. The discipline required to EXCEL in sports can make a significant impact on how today’s athletes D.E.F.E.A.T. the challenging situations of tomorrow.
Of what importance is it for our youth to be “trained-up” in a way that they experience obstacles that require some pain or suffering to overcome? Obstacles will continue to be part of their life; not just in sports. Their involvement in sports is ultimately a portrayal of a sequence of events and decisions that will be replicated in other multiple endeavors that await them in their futures. There is an exhilaration of victory that comes from the fruits of their labor and the decisiveness of their choices; overcoming the multiple emotional, spiritual and physical battles that face them throughout any given day. The many obstacles they’ll face ultimately brings them to a cross-road; where a decision needs to be made—most will unfortunately take the easy road.
We have seen the development of strong character qualities in those that experience the pains and challenges in sports training. These situations provide a “training ground” that provide the opportunity to place the youth of today on the road of “EXCEL~eration”.<
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D.E.F.E.A.T. Life’s Challenges
To D.E.F.E.A.T. the challenges we all must face, one must have a core set of convictions or ideals on which they must stand. ESN is committed, with its camps, teams, services and affiliations, to encourage and positively influence today’s athlete to EXCEL and D.E.F.E.A.T. the many challenges they face today and in the future. As coaches, parents or other activity leaders, we must help form this foundation by inspiring athletes to attain their full potential in sports; further establishing strong character qualities that will help them in all their endeavors.
Desire – The starting point of all achievements is desire. Weak desires will bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire will make a small amount of heat. Desire alone is not enough. But to lack desire, means to lack a key ingredient to success. Many victories have been snatched by the underdog because they wanted it more.
Excellence – This is an attitude that means we will do our absolute best; in everything and in everyway. There is an infinite difference between a little wrong and just right, between fairly good and the best, between mediocrity and superiority. It is striving to maintain the highest standards, looking after the smallest detail, and going the extra mile. It is a realization of knowing that what we plant now, we will harvest later.
Failure – Failure is success if we learn from it. We only fail when we stop trying. The difference between greatness and mediocrity is how we view a mistake. We must accept failures and continue on, knowing that failure is a natural consequence of trying. We must realize that the greatest mistake we can make is to be afraid of making one.
Excuses – Making excuses for failures is a pure lack of responsibility. When we understand that in responsibility lays the fulfillment of dreams; then, greatness is waiting on the other side of the door. The ability to succeed or fail is ours. The day we take complete responsibility for ourselves and stop making excuses; that is the day we start to the top.
Ambition – The indispensable first step to getting the things we want out of life is to decide what we want. We must set goals in order to know where we are going. The purpose of these goals is to focus our attention because the mind will not reach for achievement until it has clear objectives. It is then that the switch will be turned on, the current will begin to flow, and the power to accomplish will become reality.
Tenacity – To be tenacious (or persistent) is to have a state of mind in which we know exactly what we want and am fully determined not to quit until we attain it. The determination to hold on in spite of everything, to endure—this is a winner’s quality. Having tenacity gives us the ability to face defeat again and again without giving up—to push on in the face of great difficulty, knowing that victory can be ours. It means that we will take pains to overcome obstacles, and do what is necessary to reach our goals. Glory will not come from never falling, but in rising every time that we fall.
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Founder’s Testimony
In the eyes of ESN’s founder, influencing athletes for Christ is paramount. He boldly attributes its formation to God’s influence in his life. His vision for ESN began in 1994. His strong convictions have compelled him to share his testimony with you to help you gain a better understanding as to the appreciation he has for the role of sports in his life and the passion he has for being a positive influence on the youth of today.
“To put it lightly, I had a very challenging childhood. I was around 3 years old when my parents divorced. I was the youngest of my mother’s three sons. I was faced with four different step-fathers before graduating from high school. I may have attended church a total of three times during this time period. I had no Godly influences in my life that ever shared the good news of Jesus Christ and how my life could have been impacted by surrendering my life to Him. But I believe that God placed me in those situations for a distinct purpose. Those experiences of my childhood now provide me with the opportunity to relate with many of the youth today who are currently experiencing similar difficulties I faced. My involvement in sports began in 3rd grade. I had immediate success. My first football coach, who likely had some understanding of the challenges I was facing, really encouraged me. I found acceptance in my “football family” and escaped many of the difficult situations I was facing at home. As an athlete, who again was never influenced with the standards and principles of God’s word, I was able to establish many character qualities consistent with those very principles found in the bible. As I believe God planned, my football scholarship was offered to me by a Christian university. There, I received the eternal benefit of hearing the good news of Jesus Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. This monumental conversion in my life occurred while attending an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) rally. The impact that FCA made in my life, both then and now, has developed a partnership with the same vision in mind—to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches.”
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes have many programs, huddle groups and camps that we at ESN encourage you to investigate and participate in. You can obtain information by visiting their website at www.fca.org.
What about, “No pain, no gain”?
It is obvious to many that the moral decay in the fabric of our society has continued to spread. The clear distinctions between good and evil, and the absolute standards and principles presented in the word of God, have and will continue to be under fire. One thing is for certain, there can be no dispute in the fact that the foundation of how our world functions, the laws which have been established and the structures by which the authorities of government, employers and even families operate are the result of how our Creator God ordained it to be so in His word. As such, it is my belief that through the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, God has also established the foundation or model by which Victory can be won!
Jesus endured monumental emotional, spiritual and physical suffering for all people. In doing so, as the scriptures say, He was victorious over death and now sits at the right hand of the Father. His example is the model by which I believe each athletic endeavor should resemble and strive for. Here is the “formula” for success:
| Jesus | Love = Personal sacrifice = Overcome = VICTORY |
| Athlete | Desire = Perseverance = Overcome = EXCEL |
(1) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that we set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right of the throne of God. Heb. 12:1-2
Pressing Toward the Goal
(12) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:12-14
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Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives... one heart at a time. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest interdenominational, school-based, Christian sports organization in America. FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.
The FCA Vision
To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches.
The FCA Mission
To present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.
The FCA Values
Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.
Go to http://www.houstonfca.org for more information.
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