My Father passed away Thursday August 6th. I posted this on Facebook August 7th. I got a huge response. Almost 300 likes and close to 20 shares. I thought I would share on here as well. if you think its a good message feel free to pass it on. I keep hearing or seeing people say they hate cancer. I understand but you all have to understand that some of these cancers are lifestyle diseases. Lung cancer of course. Your behaviors now in life can eventually seal your fate sooner then you want. My dad had lung cancer that spread. Lung cancer brought on by years of smoking. My dad had liver cancer then a liver transplant. His liver destroyed by years of drinking. In this case I don't hate cancer. Cause and effect. I understand why it occurred. I'm sad and I miss him but the truth is he did it to himself. He had huge regrets. He told a work friend last week he wishes he never would have smoked. I can't imagine living with that regret that your own behaviors have lead to your early demise. Some of you will say "it doesn't matter, everyone's going to die of something", or "I don't want to live into my 80's or 90's" etc. you may think those things right now and I don't know, maybe my dad said those things at one time but I'm telling you right now he didn't want to die. You will change your mind later in life when you have children to live for, Grandchildren you want to see grow up, grandchildren you want to see be born. You may have had someone in your family die of lung cancer, liver disease, heart disease because they didn't take care of themselves through diet and exercise, they smoked, did drugs, drank excessively, etc. hopefully it made you step back and take a look at your life. If not hopefully my fathers example will. Your behaviors now will effect your life years down the road. My father quit smoking and drinking cold turkey in 2007 when the doctor told him if you don't quit these things you will die very soon. It took that warning to make him stop but it was too late. The damage to his body had been done. He and my mom fought their hardest all the way to the end and he lived 8 more years. I'm very sad my dad died. I love him and miss him and I wish he was able to support my boys like he did me. He never missed a baseball game, football game, wrestling match, anything. He wished that too and the hardest part for me watching it all unfold was knowing the mental pain he was going through. Not the physical pain. He was tough. That pain of regret, knowing it could have been and should have been different. Take care of yourselves. For you and those you love. For those in the future who are not even here yet. Coach Mike Thomas 
1 Comment
It has taken years to build this program to what it is now and one of the key things that I remind my guys every season is that no one person is bigger than this program. It has taken years to build this program to what it is now and one of the key things that I remind my guys every season is that no one person is bigger than this program. No one is above the law so to speak. There are certain rules and demands that must be upheld when you are part of the Moore Wrestling program. So often I see athletes get by with way too much. Coaches are hesitant to get rid of team cancers who have talent because they are afraid to lose. You may win with a few talented cancers this season but it will not bring long term stability to your program. Sooner or later it will crumble. I have seen it way too many times.
We must represent our brand with pride. Character is very important and how you present yourself in the school, event, or in the community. Integrity, honesty, Have it. Do not bring embarrassment to yourself, family, teammates, or school. Work ethic! Come to work always! These are things I expect from my wrestlers. These are things I expect from myself. No one is bigger than this program. No one. No all-state wrestler and not even me as the head coach. If I ever lose the character to represent this program or the work ethic then I need to move on as well and let someone else step up. Moore Wrestling > All Coach Mike Thomas  There are a few really important things I share with my wrestlers every year. A few important tips for wrestling and for life. I have been coaching at Moore since 2003. I have goals here. I want to coach the schools first ever state champion, I want to coach a state championship team, I want to create a wrestling dynasty that will last long after I hand over the head coaching reigns, and I want to always make my wrestlers and alumni proud to say they are and were a part of MTS wrestling.
I must constantly improve. We have done pretty well here and I am happy with that but I am never satisfied. We can always do better. one of my coaches puts it into perspective for me every now and then and I appreciate that. I look back at a program that was almost non-existent. We have come along way but our goals have not been met and there is so much work to do. My simple belief is that the moment you think you know it all you will never learn anything else. You have to be receptive to new ideas and different ways to do things, learn things, manage things, etc. I tell my wrestlers this every season and demand that they put their ego aside and constantly seek knowledge. We want to keep improving. I'm 34. I plan on coaching for at least 26 more years. I have plenty of time to learn even more. ;) Coach Mike Thomas |
Coach Mike ThomasMoore c/o 1998 ArchivesCategories |
RSS Feed