Bobby McLoughlin

Dr. London
January 27, 2020
PAA #2

Concrete Example

During the summer of 2018, I interned for Harlem Lacrosse, a non-for-profit organization

in Manhattan. Harlem Lacrosse’s mission is to empower the children who are most at risk for

academic decline and dropout to rise above their challenges and reach their full potential. The

organization uses the game of lacrosse to inspire inner city children to work hard both on the

field and in the classroom. While there I was an assistant program director at Promise Academy

2 Charter School in Harlem. I Collaborated with the Program Director and staff in administering

the lacrosse, academic and wellness curricula for students. I also supported the Program Director,

whom I worked for, during college application workshops, study halls, and tutoring sessions.

I assisted with coaching the 8th/9th grade lacrosse team, participating in afterschool practices,

clinics, sessions, and weekend tournaments. Lastly, I gained an introduction to inventory

management, budgeting, and fund raising dynamics. While being an assistant coach for the 8th/9th

grade boys summer team, I was face with many difficult moments, while also experiencing some

of the most fulfilling moments I can remember. One of which, included one of my 8th grade

players Tijani. Tijani played attack and was one of my favorite players to coach. Though he was

fairly overweight and to be blatantly honest, probably the most out of shape, un-athletic kid on

the field. At one particular tournament that we were at, he was feeling down about himself as his

confident was hurt after having a poor game. Tijani was primarily a crease attackmen, for his

weight enabled him to be a dodger on the exterior. This means his job was to find open spaces on

the inside, right around the net so he can quickly catch and shoot. Once I saw he was upset, I
went for a walk with him in between games. I told him that despite being one of the less athletic

kids on the field, he generally has a much better attitude and respect for the game and his

teammates, than many of my other players on his team did. Some of our more highly skilled

players would constantly get on each other when they make a mistake. Tijani, would think ahead

and focus on making the next play instead of harping on his teammates mistakes. So I asked him

how come he couldn’t think ahead for himself after he makes a mistake like he tells his

teammates to have that next play mentality. He quickly realized that he needed to be positive

with regards to himself not just his teammates. The next game we were facing “FLG” one of the

best club teams in the country. Tijani had two crucial goals that helped us to beat the tough

opponent.

Reflective Observation

To give Tijani this sense of self awareness and reassurance felt great as his coach. When

it comes to why he was acting the way he was after our first game, I think he felt alone after not

getting reassurance from his teammates. Being that he always encourages his teammates to keep

going, I think he was looking for someone to say it to him in return. Unfortunately, many of my

other players were stubborn and did not return the favor. At the end of the day I addressed the

team and asked why those other players wouldn’t give Tijani the encouragement that he gives

them. Many of the players apologized to Tijani and some even went on to return his positivity as

well. After the conclusion of all this, I felt like I had brought the team closer together, we started

being more cohesive in our next few tournaments. While there were still a few tougher egos to

crack, many players became more honest with themselves in realizing their hypocrisy.
Abstract Conceptualization

My experience is highlighted in principle two of chapter one. Coaching adds value to

people by helping them find satisfaction in “(1) achieving goals, (2) overcoming problems, (3)

learning and developing, (4) installing new beliefs and habits, and (5) experiencing fulfillment in

their work and lives by uplifting others”. This experience embodies many of these values. Tijani

first overcame his disappointment in himself after talking to me and realizing that he himself

embodies what he is looking for. He then learned from my words and for the rest of that summer,

he rarely got on himself for making future mistakes. By doing this he also developed new beliefs

in himself as did the entire team within each other. He in a way achieved his goals when he

scored two goals in our big win against FLG. Lastly and most importantly he experienced

fulfillment in not just the goals he scored but in the impact that he had on his teammates by

creating a positive team environment with his encouragement. He just needed a little help from

me. It’s amazing how one person can have such a great impact on so many others.

Active Experimentation

I saw a bit of myself in Tijani during this time. I too, struggle at times to remain positive

on the lacrosse field after making mistakes. By having this interaction with him and the other

players I was coaching, I realized that in the future, I would like to volunteer as an assistant

coach of a high school team alongside working in a corporate environment. I hope to bring the

values that I learned from working at Harlem lacrosse, to any coaching position that I may have

in the future. One day I hope to have kids who I will coach as well. Hopefully they will be able

to find comfort in this story as I have.