When I think about the values that shape us – on and off the mat – one stands out more than most: consistency.
I’ve been part of the wrestling world for years, first as an athlete and now as a volunteer coach. My own wrestling journey spanned seven seasons and four head coaches. Every transition felt like starting from scratch, until my sophomore year, when I finally had the same coach for three seasons straight. That stretch changed everything. With a stable coach in my corner, I stopped treading water and started excelling. I still have those old wrestling shoes proudly displayed in a curio cabinet at home – they represent more than success; they represent a foundation.
Now in my third year of coaching, I’ve seen the same principle at work in the lives of young wrestlers. For the past two years, I’ve helped guide middle schoolers who are just starting to discover their own strength, physically and emotionally. Many of them had never considered themselves athletes. Some had never even seen a wrestling match before stepping into the gym. Wrestling draws the underdogs, and for those underdogs to grow, they need more than passion, they need consistency.
I’m fortunate that AMSG has supported me in this role. This year, I’m working with a new head coach whose energy and commitment give me hope for the program’s future. I’ve stuck around to offer the same consistency that changed my life, to make sure the sixth graders I started with see a familiar face in eighth grade, and to give the new wrestlers that same steady support.
Wrestling teaches the six Cs we talk about at AMSG: Competence, Courage, Character, Compassion, Communication, and Community. But I’d argue there’s a seventh: Consistency. Without it, underdogs stay underdogs. A struggling wrestler might say, “Coach, I’ve tried and tried, but I’m just not good enough.” An inconsistent coach might say, “Maybe wrestling’s not your sport.” But a consistent coach? That coach reminds them they’ve already won by showing up, and that wins on the mat come with time, work, and belief.
That’s the approach I’ve taken as a coach. And thanks to AMSG, I’ve been able to go even further. A few months ago, I submitted a request to use my Hobby Program funds to buy $1,000 worth of wrestling shoes for the team. AMSG didn’t just approve it, they told me to hold onto my hobby funds and fully covered the cost themselves.
To me, that’s more than generosity, it demonstrates the “If Not Me, Then Who” mindset that Jim has championed since assuming full ownership of the company – a mentality that asks us to step up, support others, and lead by example. It’s a reminder that the work we do at AMSG doesn’t stop at the contract level. It ripples outward, into our communities, into our schools, and in this case, onto a wrestling mat.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a company that sees the value in people and the legacy of something as unassuming, and powerful, as a pair of shoes.
Written by: Kevin “Chevy” Ford