Nate Atkinson

YMCA volunteer coach Nate Atkinson stays busy with his coaching responsibilities. He coaches all three of his children, which makes for a chaotic in-season schedule.

“I genuinely love what I do and have a great support system with the YMCA staff,” Atkinson said.

Winning games doesn’t matter to Atkinson; he is far more invested in the impact he makes on his players.

“The biggest memories I thought I would have would be winning games, but they're not. It’s seeing the kids grow off the court into human beings who I believe will become successful individuals in society,” Atkinson said.

According to Atkinson, glancing at the scoreboard becomes less frequent over time as coaches shift focus to what they can do for the kids.

“If a person is looking to volunteer at the YMCA, I would let them know from personal experience, it’s not all about winning games or even the sport you are coaching,” Atkinson said. “It’s about being a good role model and having a positive influence on each kid you coach. After a while, they won’t remember how many games they won or lost, but they will remember the impact you made on them. So, make sure it’s a positive one.”