Hello Coach Tabke,

First, I want to apologize for not sending this email to you much sooner. There is no excuse for not saying Thank You to someone that has had such a big influence in helping my husband and I to mold a little boy into a young man. I hope that you post this letter on your blog. Since there is a lot of emotion in what I am saying please forgive me if I have misspelled or rambled too much. I have also included an article that our local newspaper wrote about the Seaside Spartans with a little bit about Robert.

Dear Mothers of potential LinemenInc participants,

I want to tell you that LinemenInc is not only about football, it is about allowing our sons to become honorable, responsible and accountable young men. My son has always been big for his age and because of that he was not able to play Pop Warner Football like the little guys. He was criticized by basketball coaches because although he could play well, they did not consider him an elite athlete. So he had some self esteem issues that we as parents could not “FIX”. When he entered high school, his father and I decided that he had to play football. We knew that once he found there was a sport out there that he could play, it would help him feel good about himself. Well, that was easier said then done. He did not want to play but we persevered.

For 2 years he did well but not as well as he could have, we talked to one of the coaches and found out he was being lazy and not giving the effort he could. So, I was told about this great linemen camp in Stockton and we decided he would go. He went the first year by himself and Coach Tabke can tell you that he again did not put as much effort into it as he could have. In fact, he was late to the first practice. Well I am not sure what happened but by the end of the 3 days, I picked up a different person. He found out that he had to work hard to get what he wanted and that he could control that part of his life. In his 1st year of varsity ball he began to excel. His team did very well and went to the CCS finals. Coach Tabke called and emailed to congratulate him. Coach also sent him some great words of encouragement that he shared with his team mates. They did not win the game but he did show great leadership that day which was recognized by his Coach .

The camp was inspirational enough for him that we invited Coach Tabke and Coach Reinders down to talk to the incoming linemen and Coach Avila. We ended up sending 6 linemen and 2 coaches to camp. Robert made sure his team mates stayed on task and they did well. At the end of camp I could tell he was tired and drained but he still competed hard. He did not give up. He was not the 1st in his Garrison but he put his heart in it. I really saw a different young man on the field that day. That day I realized that coming to the camp was more then just an experience in technique, it was a life experience. It was about working hard to get results. It was about digging deep inside of yourself to achieve a goal that only you can set for yourself. It was about not being afraid to be the best and encourage others to follow the same path. I cried that day because I knew that I no longer had a little boy but a young man. They are the bitter sweet tears that mothers cry when they know the job that GOD has given them to do has gone to the next level.

I know that there are other factors that shaped Robert into the young man he is today but I also know that if he did not go to LinemenInc he would not have been challenged to step up to a higher level. Mothers, if we keep our sons in the safe confines of our world they will never know that there is more out there to see and achieve. I believe that football is about life more than any other sport out there. So encourage your sons to participate but make sure they know it is not going to be easy but it can be rewarding. I have a 17 year-old son that I am very proud of and I can honestly say that the coaches and the program at LinemenInc had a hand it. I want to thank all of them but most of all Coach Tabke. He showed a great interest in my son but I know that he has done that for quite a few of them. That is the other lesson he taught Robert, that to grow you have to give. Thank you so much for all that you have done for my son.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Orange

Coaches note: What Evelyn didn’t mention is that her son, Robert, was a third string player for two years. His junior year after LinemenInc, Robert earned a starting position and played both sides of the line that year. His senior year, Robert was again a starter, team leader and won honors on the All League Team. Robert was also the winner at LinemenInc last summer for The Most Inspirational Player Sword. Robert will be attending Monterey Peninsula College in the fall and I know he will continue to excell and succeed both on and off of the football field.