Coach Ryan

The Houston County Sharks start practice at Pearl Elementary School at 4:30 p.m. sharp Monday through Thursday, as one of the premiere franchises of the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP).Keeping a tight schedule is as important as having quality talent. Which by the way the Sharks have in spades on and off the court. Ryan Brown, a Tampa, Florida native is a Sharks community coach and a rabid Warner Robins High School alumnus, Tampa Buccaneers and Florida State Seminoles football fan, makes his way up and down the court motivating the players as they go through various workouts. He’s a one-man cheering section. “I love helping kids and seeing them grow,” says Brown. Ryan spent four years, from 1996-2000, playing in the AAASP for the Macon Bears, he knows what it takes to play as a wheelchair athlete and tries to pass on those life lessons to this current group of Sharks. “We are a young team, they’re working hard,” he says. Brown helps coach the basketball, handball and football teams and knows there can be a difference in how wheelchair athletes are perceived by the public. A perception that should not exist in my eyes, these kids are just as capable of becoming powerful, inspirational athletes as any other. Ryan’s story is proof of what perseverance and strength can do.

The Houston County Sharks (grades 1-12) and the AAASP provide an athletic outlet for wheelchair athletes in Warner Robins, Perry, Centerville and all over the country. This organization and people like Brown shrink the perceived gap between who should and should not be playing sports. “I feel like God put me with the Sharks for a purpose,” says Brown. “My job is to try and get kids off the sideline and into the game.” State Adapted Sports Coordinator of the Georgia AAASP Robyn Hootselle believes coaches like Brown make a huge difference. “Ryan’s dedication to these deserving young athletes is awe inspiring and we depend on community coaches in support of AAASP vision, mission and core values.” Ryan’s story is a perfect example of believing in yourself.

Born with Cerebral Palsy, the 35 year old Brown takes time out his busy scheduled, he has a full-time job to go along with his coaching duties, to give kids with special physical needs the opportunity to see and touch and talk to an athlete in their own proverbial shoes. “I try not to let that hold me back,” says Brown. What better example for the Sharks than to see one of their own wheeling around at local football games like Brown was last Friday at The Mac for the Northside and Warner Robins game. I didn’t see a fan at the game that was more into the game than Brown. I guess we all could learn a lesson from him. “I can’t drive so that hurts but my family and friends help me out,” says Brown. “Ryan is a definite asset to our program,” says Christy Jones, Area Coordinator for the Houston County Adapted Sports Program, “He has knowledge of the game and brings a different perspective to the coaching staff.” Brown’s feeling for coaching other adapted sports athletes shine through when he speak on the topic like he did before kickoff on Friday night. “Coaching gives me an awesome feeling,” he says. “To know that I am helping kids become better players and at the same time letting them know that they can do anything they put their minds too is pretty cool.” Jones, a former AAASP referee acknowledges what she believes is a key gift of Brown, “One of Ryan’s greatest strengths is his ability to communicate and bond with the players,” says Jones. “He’s an encourager, he is always lifting the players up.” She should know, “I actually refereed some of Ryan’s game for the Bears.” Ryan’s story is one of communication and giving back.

Ryan’s story is one of a man living out his dream as a coach in his community. “I love kids and I love sports.” A man living his life, doing what he loves to do. What a novel idea.

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