There is nothing more altruistic and American than volunteering. Our nation’s president urges every red blooded American to get out there and volunteer their time. Unfortunately, volunteering has become a less than thankless job for many of our country’s youth athletic coaches. These men and women selflessly volunteer hours of their free time coaching our nations youth and not only are they not properly thanked for it, many are vilified because of it.

My sons’ own soccer coach has spent countless hours, in less than ideal weather conditions, outside training and conditioning my son and other boys. He has given up paid work just to attend all of his teams soccer games and bought the boys expensive soccer themed gifts with his own money. We should thank the man, right. Unfortunately though, not all parents are so thankful. My sons coach, and others like him, are being hit by a constant barrage of complaints, many of them petty.

These complaints do not come from any of the kids. They come from the parents. Parents complain that their child doesn’t get enough playing time, that their child is made to practice when it’s too hot, or too cold, outside and countless other mindless and petty things. I have even heard a parent vehemently complain to a coach about her son not being invited to another child’s birthday party, as if the coach is supposed to control all social interactions as well. Have they lost sight of the fact that these coaches are volunteers. None of these men or women are being paid to do this. I feel that unless you are willing to step up and coach yourself you need to step back and let the coaches do what they need to do.