When Bernie Gill showed up to register his son for the City of Patterson Parks and Recreation’s flag football league in California last season he was disappointed to learn that not enough children had signed up and the league was in jeopardy of being cancelled.
Intent on making sure his son, as well as all the other kids in the community who had signed up, would get the chance to step on the field and run, pass and make defensive plays, he immediately began punching numbers on his phone. Within two hours he had recruited 10 additional children to sign up for the league, putting them above the minimum registration number and ensuring that the league would kick off right on schedule.
Such behavior is business as usual for Gill, this year’s recipient of the Parents Association for Youth Sports (PAYS) Parent of the Year award. The prestigious award was presented to Gill during the annual International Youth Sports Congress, held in early December in San Antonio, Texas.
The award is presented annually by the National Alliance for Youth Sports to one special youth sports parent who consistently emphasizes fun, learning and safety, who treats every child with the same respect and patience as their own child, and who is an enthusiastic supporter of the coach and the team.
Gill has all those areas covered quite well. In addition, he is known around his son’s league as being an energetic spectator who loves to cheer – for all the kids. Beyond the positive sideline support he brings to the field on game day, he is always eager to help out with his son’s team in any way, whether it’s bringing snacks to games or stepping on the field during practice to help teach skills or assist with running drills.
Gill’s reputation as a positive influence is recognized throughout the community in many other ways, too. For example, when an otherwise reserved basketball coach lost his cool and began yelling at his players last season, Gill calmly approached the coach and reminded him that it was just a game and that the kids were out there to play and have fun. This coach simply needed a friendly reminder on the importance of maintaining proper perspective in youth sports – and thankfully for the kids on the court Gill stepped forward to resolve the problem.
Away from the fields and courts Gill’s presence is also strongly felt as his business is one of the league’s most reliable sponsors year after year. He has also been known to help recruit other local businesses to sponsor the league as well.
Gill’s enthusiasm for wanting kids to have the opportunity to play sports, and have fun doing so, exemplify what being a youth sports parent is all about. Considering that he also consistently goes above and beyond to help ensure that the kids are able to play in a safe, caring and positive environment, and it’s easy to see that Gill is a most deserving recipient of the award.
