I was first exposed to coaching as a freshman in high school I had just finished playing youth football and went back to that organization to volunteer my time to get back on the football field helping with the younger kids. I spent some time coaching and also did some work on the PA system. I really developed a passion for coaching. Then in the winter I had and opportunity to coach a youth basketball program and we were lucky enough to win the championship. It’s funny there’s a young man who is only three years my junior who still affectionately calls me Coach Epps and says that I was his first basketball coach and he remember those days fondly. I was not that much older than he was. I began coaching in ernest as a full-fledged coach after I graduate from college. I coached two seasons between 1989 and 1991. We won 19 out of 20 games and went to two championships, won one and lost one, it was a great experience.

Again the young man that I had on those teams in the late 80s and early 90s still referred to me as coach today and they are now in their mid-30’s so I’m so honored to have those guys in my life. I went to law school, came back home again went right back to the program and coached for another three years or so. Many of the guys I am still still give me the same respect as Coach Mike and it is truly an honor.

I moved to a different community and got bit by the coaching bug again and for seven years I coached. I was part of a program that was struggling and I didn’t have as much success.

However at the end of the day when you look back on all the things I don’t remember much about the wins even the games or specifically what happened in any of the games. What I remember are the kids that we had. Even though in this phase we were not very successful I met some of the greatest young man that I’ve ever been exposed to and I became a part of their lives and I remain there.

I I’m an African-American male and I’m out here coaching a bunch of kids who don’t look like me but who respected me just the same and loved me just the same and they consider me a mentor and a father figure. What is awesome about coaching youth sports is that we can break down barriers and overcome a lot of the stupid thing that we deal with in society today. When you’re engaged in a battle the guys that are with you in battle don’t care what you look like because you are working as a collective to accomplish a mission and I need you to do your job so that I can do my job and I can’t be caught up thinking about your complexion.

So it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Well, not that one, March Madness. Soon folks everywhere will be pouring over brackets and trying to use all sorts of methods to try to win office pools, family pools and online contests.

Invariably there will be pools won by someone who says “I don’t even know the teams, I pick by the color of their uniform” “by their mascot”.

In the meantime there are folks who will watch every league tournament. Read every blog about the “bubble team” and we will certainly hear about Cinderella. She is always a threat to dance at this time of year.

I wonder how many take my approach, one bracket with your head and one with your heart. I have to complete a bracket which has Maryland winning the national championship, just in case they do. Can’t have them win and not have selected them. Early on I thought only one sheet would be necessary but if the Terps don’t get it together then two brackets it is. And what of my daughter’s Orange this year. I’ll show them some love.

On Sunday March 11 I will no doubt watch the selection show and try to fill in the blanks while they are announced far too quickly even though if I waited 10 minutes after the show I will be able to print a fully prepared any accurate form from any number of web sites. And then on Tuesday it begins, or for purist on Thursday. March 15 and 16 this year (Thursday and Friday of week one) should be a national holiday. Zero work will get done from noon on on either day.

And it all ends on Monday April 4 with “One Shining Moment”. Well good luck, study well and choose well no matter what method you use. It is always a fun few weeks

Go Terps!!!!