Page 14 - Southern Exposure - January '22

Page 14, Southern Exposure

honoring

Chad Rollins: NAYS Volunteer Coach Of The Year

For more than two decades Chad Rollins has been first-year coaches come to our program I try to tell those
impacting young lives as a beloved volunteer coach through coaches to make sure it’s all about the kids, because if it’s
the Jupiter-Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA) in Florida. not all about the kids then you’re in the wrong profession,”
Big hearted and humble, with an endless supply of energy Rollins says. “You have to do it from the heart.”
and enthusiasm for kids, his days are packed with coaching That’s exactly how Rollins has been coaching kids and
youth football, junior varsity girls basketball and track and changing lives season after season. And he’s genuinely
field. Plus, this dad of three somehow finds time to volunteer touched when he hears from former players who share how
to coach young athletes in the Special Olympics, too. much he has meant to them in their lives.
It’s all these qualities – and many more – that earned “One kid must have had to do a school project on
Rollins the prestigious Volunteer Coach of the Year award, somebody that they admire, and he wrote about me,” Rollins
annually presented by the National Alliance for Youth Sports said. “So, I had tears in my eyes. He was like ‘when I was
(NAYS). 5 Coach Chad helped me do this and helped me do that.’
“Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and seeing them So that’s what it’s all about right there.”
having fun, that’s what it’s all about,” Rollins said.
Rollins was selected among hundreds of nominations
military bases worldwide. Judging is based on how the Compassion and gratitude enable
submitted from recreation agencies nationwide and U.S.
nominee upholds the NAYS Code of Ethics for Coaches,
being of players ahead of a personal desire to win; treating Random Acts of Kindness Program
which includes placing the emotional and physical well-

each player as an individual and understanding the range of
and doing his/her best to provide a safe playing situation for at La Posada
emotional and physical development for the same age group;
all players; among many other key areas.
Focusing On Fun The holiday season is funds for the local Alzheimer’s Foundations to raise
“With the Jupiter Mustangs, we’re focusing on learning one of togetherness and awareness of the disease.
the game and also having fun playing the game,” Rollins thankfulness, allowing Such actions show the heart of the community
says. “Once you have a kid who’s having fun at a young friends and family to unite but only scratch the surface of how the residents and
age they will grow up and love sports so that’s my biggest and reflect on the blessings associates at La Posada share their blessings with the
accomplishment is making sure the kids love the sport and of the previous year. During greater Palm Beach Gardens community. Many of the
also learn the sport that we are teaching them.” this time, many are focused community’s residents and associates are members
on how they can give back of various boards, as well as volunteers within their
and show kindness to the personal churches, synagogues and other organizations.
greater community around “Perhaps I’m biased, but I truly believe that La Posada has
them. This mindset of giving some of the most compassionate and generous individuals
is one that La Posada, a Kisco who live and work here,” said Brad Cadiere, Executive
senior living community in One of the most important Director of La Posada. “At La Posada, we believe in the
Palm Beach Gardens, works elements of what makes importance of supporting one another and that level of
to enact throughout the year La Posada special is the compassion is something that comes directly from our
— not just at the holidays. senior living community’s people. Having the opportunity to show kindness to those
One of the most commitment to serving others. within our walls and with our neighbors outside these walls
important elements of what is something unique that has enabled us to learn more about
makes La Posada special is the senior living community’s one another and appreciate the connectivity we all share.”
commitment to serving others. Throughout the year, residents As the community looks toward the beginning of a new
and associates at the community have participated in a year, plans are already underway to work together to continue
One of Rollins’ biggest attributes is his unwavering variety of “acts of kindness” to serve one another within the supporting our neighbors and one another. This commitment
focus on having fun. When he steps on a field, court, or community, as well as La Posada’s surrounding neighbors. to community is something that defines La Posada’s enriched
track, he always brings a big smile and genuine passion The random acts have enabled the senior living community lifestyle and one-of-a-kind total well-being programming.
– and his young athletes latch onto his energy and are the ability to engage with nearby neighbors, as well as “At La Posada, we encourage our residents to pursue
excited to compete. show gratitude to those who come into the community for their passions. Their kind hearts and grateful attitudes
“When I start at the beginning of the year I don’t care short stretches. At La Posada, thankfulness is a mindset that inspire all of us to take time to think of others and reach
how old they are, I like to have fun coaching them,” he has long been ingrained at the community and has been out with helping hands,” said Cadiere. “Our hope is that
says. “I think if kids see their coaches having fun they reemphasized repeatedly over the past few years. through our random acts of kindness program, we will be
will follow in their footsteps, and they’ll do the same and “From the very beginning, our community has been able to share a bit of the holiday spirit all year long. We
have fun.” focused on caring for, and supporting, one another,” said have the opportunity to make a difference and to create a
Parents love having their young athletes learn from Paulina Jacobs, Assistant Executive Director of La Posada. community that is welcoming and cares for everyone.”
Rollins, too. And while he works with youth – encouraging, “All of us have learned how important it
motivating, and inspiring them – he never seeks out attention is to show those we care for how much
for his efforts. He’s all about the kids – all the time. we appreciate them, and that includes
Rollins was nominated for the award by Brad Caldwell, our neighbors in the greater community.
president of Jupiter Mustangs Tackle Football and Cheer. Over the last year we’ve implemented
“Chad coaches my son in two different sports, and I’ve our Random Acts of Kindness as a way
coached football with him for a couple years,” Caldwell to give back and showcase what it means
said. “For the basketball league there’s eight to 10 kids and to be a part of the La Posada family.”
he runs around a couple different towns to pick them up. La Posada’s random acts of kindness
Most of them have broken homes, and he always puts these have taken place through a variety of
kids first. One day, Chad asked if I could step in and coach venues, encouraging everyone at the
basketball because he was going to be about 15 minutes community to find an opportunity to
late. I was curious why he was going to be late because participate. So far this year, La Posada
he’s never late – and it was because he was with the Special has done everything from back-to-
Olympics that day, which is one of his big passions. I never school-supply drives and dessert special
knew that he did the Special Olympics on top of coaching deliveries, to appreciation for first
high school and all of the youth sports here at JTAA.” responders and special birthday deliveries
Community Commitment for all residents and associates, to making
Rollins is well-known throughout the Jupiter community snack bag distributions to delivery
for his strong commitment for helping all the kids on his workers and other essential employees
teams become not only better players but – more importantly who were visiting our community.
– better people. While players are stretching at the start of The luxury retirement living
his youth football practices he can be seen weaving all over community has also prepared
the field, talking and fist-bumping and high-fiving every donation boxes for the Peggy Adams
single young athlete. Animal Rescue League and raised
With Rollins’ engaging personality and kids-first focus, For more information on how you can participate or to learn more
it’s easy to see why he is a wonderful mentor for new
coaches coming into the JTAA program. And a terrific about Life at La Posada: Call 561-277-0680 or visit mylaposada.com
source for longtime coaches as well. Paid Advertisement
“I am the coaching liaison here for this program so when