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In our upstairs den is a framed artifact that Kerry gave to me for my birthday 20 years ago when we still lived in Seattle. She was pregnant with our oldest daughter who would be born a couple of months later. I've walked past "the gift" well over a couple of thousand times in the last decade alone - and like a lot of things in all of our homes - it has gone virtually unnoticed. That was until yesterday - when I visited it as a destination - and admittedly got emotional thinking about its power, it's connection and how awe inspiring I saw it to be all so suddenly. And I suppose in some ways, I welled up because I took a very special moment for granted.
You see - somehow back in 1996, I was given the good fortune of being selected as a torchbearer escort for the Olympic relay - which essentially gave me the honor of running alongside 3 different torchbearers over the course of about 2 miles in a small town just south of Tacoma, WA. Unsolicited, each individual was kind enough to hand me the torch (literally) and let me run with it as well - (yes, people really are that generous). Essentially, the torch got lit in Athens, was run across Greece, flown to L.A. and then up and down and all across the United States on its way to Atlanta. (See the whole route HERE if interested)
Each of us got to wear a short and T-Shirt combo that is decidedly retro - and better off enclosed in glass for more than a couple of reasons.
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Kerry had the foresight to enclose the uniform I wore - and include a few photographs that a random stranger had taken.
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Fast forward a couple of months to July 1996 when it seemed the entire country watched in anticipation as the Olympic Committee - amidst a domestic terror attack - did an absolutely amazing job in hiding who the final recipient of the torch would be - the one who would get to light the final Torch.
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Hence my reaction yesterday morning when I learned of Muhammad Ali's passing. For those of you who don't remember the drama of the moment back in 1996, click the photo below and watch the story unfold.
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Notice those retro shirts - even "The Greatest got to wear one!
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There are so many wonderful tributes being offered on social media these past 24/36 hours - but my soon to be 20 year old forwarded me what I think is the most poignant - It's a paraphrased tweet "Don't judge folks by the eloquence of their tributes to Ali, but how they would treat a 20 year old version of him now".
Ali was not without controversy - in fact he embraced it. But - what allowed him to standout was his authenticity, his tenacity and his conviction.
As we mourn the loss of this legend - we need to recognize that there are legends in waiting. The children of this nation need the opportunity to play, to compete and to have fun doing it. Maybe it's boxing, maybe it's fencing, maybe it's dancing, or gymnastics, maybe it's soccer, or maybe it's basketball - but every single one of them should have the opportunity to find out...to see if they can float like a butterfly or sting like a bee.
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A young Cassius Clay - full of promise.
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Yep - I tend to get a little sentimental over moments like this when I recognize the full circle connection of my life to the lives of others. This is a big ole country and I got to pass the torch that one of the most iconic athletes of our time eventually received on the other side of this land of ours. I suppose in some ways, he is now passing it back to us. At 28 years old, I didn't recognize the power of that moment. At 48 - I do.
I owe it to him to find the "Greatness" in all the children I'll have the privilege of working with in days to come.
Rest in Peace Mohammed Ali.
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Junior 2-4-1 (grades 1 and 2) is full for Week 1, but still accepting campers for all other sports and ages.
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Interested in other 2-4-1 Programs throughout the Summer (Note that some are still being finalized).
- 2-4-1 West Hartford Women's Lacrosse League - back at Conard High School.
- 2-4-1 Girls Basketball P.L.U.S.S. at South Windsor - with our own Brittany Huggins.
- 2-4-1's Jill Gengras (lacrosse), Ryan Radmanovich (baseball) and Brittany Huggins (basketball) are all doing one week sessions for our friends at Camp KO.
- 2-4-1 Middle School Conditioning P.L.U.S.S. with Frank Robinson - 8:30-10:30 am Monday thru Thursday, Hall High, July 11-August 11(stay tuned for registration)
- 2-4-1 Passing League Football - at Hall High - Tues/Thurs 10:30 to 12:00 July 12 - August 11. (stay tuned for registration)
- 2-4-1 Ultimate Frisbee League - stay tuned for details.
Also - check out:
- Just for Kicks with our own Scott Ferguson
- Warrior Hoop School with Brian Moretti - through West Hartford Leisure Services - use program code: 411595
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2-4-1 P.L.U.S.S. Club Programming Continues
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The P.L.U.S.S. Club
™
is designed to get kids and communities sampling sports, growing & cooking their own food all while developing “the ability, confidence, and desire 2 be active 4-1 extraordinary life." We take a comprehensive approach by infusing mindfulness and involving all community stakeholders and offering kids the opportunity to move throughout the day in the form of BrainErgizers
™
. Yes - it's really as good as it sounds!! That's why folks around the nation are reaching out and asking us - "When can you bring the P.L.U.S.S. Club to my community" Know a school or club that would be interested in bringing The P.L.U.S.S. Club™ to their organization - have them reach out! [email protected]
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2-4-1 Denver South
Denver South High School
July 18 -22
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May Was a busy month for 2-4-1 Sports
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In the montage above, see Tab Ramos, Billy Jean King, Senator Murphy, Congressman Larson, an opportunity to address all the Members of the Bristol Boys and Girls Club and perhaps most importantly - Physical Literacy come to life at one of our P.L.U.S.S. Club locations. Physical Literacy after all is what we've been talking to folks about around the nation. Off to Seattle in a couple of weeks to speak on the topic at the National Coaching Conference
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Introduction to Physical Literacy
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2-4-1 Sports Director Steve Boyle is proud to have partnered with S&S Worldwide and PE Central to bring you a first of its kind online course introducing educators to the concept of Physical Literacy and how to implement it in school-based settings. For a preview to the course, click
HERE!.
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Our sponsors provide the chance for children to play - and help offset the cost of our sponsored camper program. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in being a sponsor.
www.241sports.com
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FEEL GOOD FOOTER
Muhammad Ali lost the gold medal he had earned as an 18 year old. Watch this tribute when he is awarded a replacement in front of "The Dream Team" at the 1996 Olympics.
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2-4-1 Sports
860-977-3750
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