“WE DO IT FOR THE KIDS”

Lorain – For most of us Sundays are a day to relax and recharge for another workweek. For athletes in Lorain it was just another day at the beach. No swimming or volleyball for them though, area Coaches had several obstacle courses set up to help train the athletes.

Southview Football Coach Keith Tressel along with Admiral King Coach Carlos Clipper started “Lorain Pride – Beach Workout” four years ago. “This is away to help keep the kids in shape and to keep them off the streets. Believe it or not they also have fun doing this, it’s a tough workout but they do enjoy it.”

The numbers of athletes participating have grown since the program began and Coach Tressel said that they welcome any athlete to participate, not just football players. “We have all types of athletes coming down here all we ask is that they are in grades 9 through 12.” Tressel said that last weekend they even had an Elyria High volleyball player join them for the workout. “We don’t care if they are from Lorain, Elyria, Wellington or any other school in Lorain County, as long as they are athletes that are serious about training we welcome them.”

As much of a commitment as it is for the kids, the Coaches have dedicated even more to the program. Every Sunday they take hours away from their families to work with the kids and that includes the set up and tear down of the obstacle courses and equipment. Coach Tressel said that he and his wife even bring coolers filled with water for the kids. “We all do it because it is a good thing for the kids, we all want to see them do well and become better athletes and people.”

Along with the high school kids two former athletes, one who is playing college ball, returned to the beach for the workout. “That is what it is all about, for coaches to have a student return like that and tell you how much the time we spent with them meant to them that is our reward. We certainly don’t do this for the money, we do it because we love it and because we know it is great for the kids.”

Tressel said that there are many training programs out there and most charge money for the kids to participate. “A program like this some people would charge like 5 or 10 bucks for, we have no plans of charging these kids any money – ever. It doesn’t matter if it is a Lorain athlete or an Amherst athlete, this is here for them no charge.”

Tressel said that when he talks to a former athlete and they thank him for all of his hard work and tell him how it changed them – made them a better person – he said that is his payment. “That’s my five bucks, that’s all I want. That’s all any of these Coaches want.”

Editors note: As much as this photographer tried to get Coach Tressel and Coach Clipper to pull the sled through the sand, I was unsuccessful. Both Coaches had fairly good excuses. Coach Tressel was involved in a motorcycle crash a couple weeks ago and is still recovering. I wouldn’t have believed him if it weren’t for the fact that I photographed the crash. Coach Clipper had an even better reason – He said he has four kids and four grand kids.

PHOTOS: Top Photo: Coach Tressel works with Southview Senior Mario Ramirez. Second Photo: Southview Senior Andrew Hulland runs an obstacle Sunday.

To see more photos from the workout: CLICK HERE