Youth Sports Are Priority in the Region
Published Oct 22, 2009
Calvin Jackson has been coaching girls’ softball for eight seasons, and almost considers it a full-time job.
“I have two jobs – the one I get paid for and then my coaching job – or I should say, coaching jobs,” he says.
These days, the Brazos Valley resident coaches daughter Aley’s 12-and-under team, the Eagles, and 16-year-old daughter Tori’s traveling tournament team, the Venom.
“I’m pretty much on a softball field during about a quarter of my entire life,” Jackson says. “But I get a charge out of it, and there are some talented softball players in Brazos Valley. It’s nice to coach players who are quality individuals both on and off the field.”
Jackson not only is a coach in Bryan-College Station, but is also an unofficial promoter of the region.
“The softball, baseball and soccer fields throughout the cities of Bryan and College Station are always kept in excellent condition,” he says. “I often hear people from visiting teams make comments on how well-maintained the facilities are around here.”
One factor that aids in the overall upkeep of Brazos Valley facilities is the weather, which seems to cooperate on a year-round basis.
“There is certainly no lack of sunshine around here,” Jackson says. “But even though there is sunshine, there are plenty of shaded areas where sports are played. That obviously helps on hot Texas days in August.”
Jackson offers sports-related compliments to Texas A&M University in College Station, especially the Texas A&M Lady Aggies softball team.
“The young women on that team are not only good ballplayers and fine citizens, but they also conduct quick softball seminars occasionally for teams of girls in the community,” he says. “The Lady Aggies will chat with kids before and after games at the College Station field. Many girls on softball teams throughout the Valley make it a point to watch the Lady Aggies play ball every spring.”
Meanwhile, Brazos Valley has several other recreation offerings for young people, including a new Arctic Wolf Ice Center as well as several public swimming pools. The Brazosport Youth Soccer Association has six individual clubs that play competitive, traveling matches each year at a number of soccer complexes located through the Valley.
And in Bryan itself, a Pee Wee sports program is in place to teach children ages 3 to 5 the fundamentals of baseball, basketball, football, golf and soccer – prior to ever joining actual teams.
“You can’t drive through Bryan-College Station – in fact, most of Brazos Valley – without seeing some kind of sport being played,” Jackson says. “Whether it’s individual sports or team sports, Brazos Valley is a hotbed of activity. And that’s good for kids in many ways.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
Current Weather Conditions In Bryan, TX (77805)
Mostly Cloudy, and 74 ° F. For more details?
Click here...
