Transforming Boys into Men: Coaches, Athletes, Fathers and Love

by Julie Walton, Calvin College

Last week, former pro football player Joe Ehrmann visited our campus to speak to coaches, athletes, fathers and sons.  Joe’s story is compellingly told in Jeffrey Marx’ book, “Season of Life:  A football star, a boy, a journey to manhood.”  (for more information, see Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx.

Joe, pastor of a large congregation, also coaches high school football in Maryland.  His prevailing philosophy is that our boys no longer have men to teach them what it means to be a man, and that sport is the perfect vehicle for those lessons.  Joe wants coaches to step in and step up, to mentor children, boys especially, in how to live relationally in ways that show them that life is not about winning, conquest or self-aggrandizement, but about serving others.