Earning a living... 職歴

One of my high school classes
I'm in the middle, just to the left of
the clock, holding a kid in a headlock.
It seems, we're all the sum of all the little things that we do; this obviously goes beyond the workplace.
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For those, like myself, who possess evolving interests, the drudgery of working merely for financial gain is insufficient. My obsession with pursuing fulfillment and not following the herd has been a long running one.
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Obviously, there's no perfect place or situation; however, the challenge of making a path where none exists is, somehow, invigorating. The old adage "seek and you shall find" seems to apply. My advice to anyone going their own way would be carry out your mission, maintain your principles, and never give up; it's only over when you stop trying.

These days, whenever someone asks me what I do for a living I say I'm a coach; no benefits, no stability, and no promises for the future. As long as I can continue to grow and balance coaching with the other elements of my life I'll continue. Despite living in a place where football barely shows up on the radar, it's still an honor to be able to force kids to run up mountains.
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For the gritty details of what its like to manage a busy schedule teaching at multiple schools, and coaching high school football in Japan, click below and read "Life in the Pony Express" (For my background in English scroll down)
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LinK
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講師プロフィール
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1964年アメリカ、フィラデルフィア生まれ。大学を卒業後、マスメディア関係の会社で。
広報や営業事務に携わり、大きく貢献する。ハンプトンでは、ボスニア難民の人々へ
ボランティアで英語を教える等優しい一面も持つ。その後は、英語教育に目覚め、
英語教師として働く。

 
Japan
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職歴
.....................LinKS
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2002  -  2004   株式会社  イーオンウエスト ジャパン 広島市 英会話講師
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2004  -   2005   進徳女子高等学校    英語科教師
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2005  -   2007 .....株式会社  インタラック ALT(外国語指導助手) 府中緑ヶ丘中学校・府中中 学  校 / 府中中央小学校 / 府中南小学校 / 府中北小学校 / 府中東小学校 / 府中小学校
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2007  -   2009    広島県立総合技術高等学校 ALT (外国語指導助手)/ 英語科教師
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2005  -   2010    広島城北高等学校 アメリカンフットボール部コーチ
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2009  -   2010        田布施中学校  ALT 外国語指導助手)/ 英語科教師
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2010  -   2016       崇徳中学校 高等学校 アメリカンフットボール部コーチ
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2011  -   2018      広島修道大学付属鈴峯女子高等学校・中学校  英語科教師
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2017  -   2022    Owner - Hiroshima Gridiron Academy (HGA) アメリカンフットボール & トレーニング クラブ


アーロンの英語科教師 Blog: http://wakariyasuieigo.blogspot.com/
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Johoku
平成22427
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広島城北高等学校長 福原 紘治郎


(記載者 教諭 竹下 徹也)


AaronA.Billups(アーロン・エー・ビルアップス)さんは,196418日アメリカ・フィラデルフィアに生まれ,少年期にアメリカンフットボールと出会い,Hampton University でマスメディアコミュニケーションを専攻する傍らでプレーを続け,卒業後はプロフットボール Mason-Dixon Football League(日本のプロ野球における四国・九州アイランドリーグなどの独立リーグに相当)で5年間プレーした。そのうちの3年間はキャプテンとチームマネージングを兼務し,1993年にはリーグ優勝に導くなど華々しい戦績を残して現役を引退する。その後,マスメディア関係の仕事に就きながらボスニア難民の人々へボランティアで英語を教えていく中で,英語教育に目覚め2002年に単身で来日する。
その後,英会話講師の仕事に携わりながら,2005年に本校アメリカンフットボール部のコーチに就任し,2007年からはヘッドコーチとして,彼の座右の銘であるFootball is Life普段の生活はフットボールに集約される)の言葉のもと,自分の信念に基づいて指導にあたった。ボランティアでありながらも,請け負った以上はコーチとしての責任感で,子ども達が安全に満足のいくフットボールの活動ができるよう心掛けるとともに,フットボール選手としての育成だけを目的とせず,子ども達のこの先の人生において,フットボールを通じて得た経験が役に立ってくれることを望み,健全な人間的成長を目的とした指導も心掛けていた。
彼の指導は,子ども達にフットボールの楽しさを知ってもらうことを根底におき,本場アメリカのプロフットボールで培った豊富な知識と経験をもとに,体力トレーニングから基本スキルの習得を段階的に織り交ぜながら系統立てられたものであり,器材や部員数が揃わない練習環境の中でも,常に生徒が満足し納得できる方法を模索していった。そのコーチングプログラムを年間の試合スケジュールの中に組み込み,実戦経験を通じてモチベーションの維持を図りながら子ども達自身に成長を感じさせるものであり,選手不足のチーム状況においても,ゲームに対応できるよう全ての選手が様々なポジションをこなせるようなシステムを構築した。
このようなフットボールの指導の中で,集団競技において規律を重んじ個人の活動を犠牲にすることを厭わず,チームとしての目標を達成することの喜びや,試合中に起こり得る様々な状況を想定して準備することの大切さを教えた。そして,それらは人生においても通ずることであり,子ども達が社会性を身に付ける上で,スポーツはこの上ない環境であるという考えのもと,フットボールを通じて何事に対しても競争心をもって攻撃的に戦い,最後まで諦めず継続することはとても重要であることを子ども達に伝えてくれた。
しかしながら,子ども達に以上の事を伝えるためには言語や文化の違いによる障壁があったことは否めず,そのため自身が子ども達とともに練習やトレーニングに常に加わり,自らのプレーによって体現する指導スタイルを持って,徐々に日本語能力を高めるとともにコミュニケーション能力を高めていった。また,そのコーチングを実践するために敢えてパートタイムの仕事を選択し,雨の日も風の日も練習を休まず,多忙な毎日を送りながらも,自らの生活をフットボールに注ぐことで,身をもってその信念を伝え続け,子ども達にそのことを伝えられたことを彼は自分の喜びとしていた。

私は,彼のフットボールコーチとしての指導方針と卓越した手腕は,それが人生のいかなる場面においても通ずるという彼の信念から,英語教育においても今後の活躍が大いに期待できると確信している
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.Sotoku

拝啓 早春の候、御校ますますご清祥のこととお慶び申し上げます。本日は当校アメリカンフットボール部コーチを務めて頂きましたアーロン・ビラップス氏をご紹介させて頂く為、失礼は重々承知いたしておりますが、本人のたっての希望もあり筆を取らせて頂きました。
アーロン氏はプロチームにも籍を置かれた名プレーヤーで、引退後日本のフットボールの発展に貢献したいとの思いで来日され、縁あり広島城北高校でコーチをされておられましたが、平成22年に無理をお願いして当校クラブのコーチに就任して頂きました。そのお蔭をもちまして、平成22年より春の関西大会・秋の全国大会に4年連続で出場することができました。

アーロン氏は来日当初より、一から自分の力でクラブ立ち上げて、全国に通用するチーム作りを将来的にはしたいという強い思いがあり、当校クラブとしてもアーロン氏によりチーム力が確立され、指導者も育てて頂いて来年度に向けてチームに安定感がみられる様になってきましたので、アーロン氏の意志を尊重して当校クラブを離れる事を了承致しました。
残念ながらアメリカンフットボールに関しましては、広島地区の加盟校は広島城北高校・崇徳高校2校のみで、関西・関東地区に遠く及ばない位置にあります。アーロン氏の手腕をもってして部員さえ確保できれば、僭越ながら関西・関東の代表校に引けを取らないチームが出来ると今でも信じております。当クラブにおいてそれが出来なかったことが痛恨の極みです。
ご多忙中とは存じますが、話だけでもとのお考えがありましたら、アーロン氏と面談して頂ければ幸いです。
最後になりましたが、御校の更なるご発展をお祈り申し上げます。

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                              敬具
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平成28219
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崇徳高等学校アメリカンフットボール顧問
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梅田 容嗣

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United States
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学歴
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1982 - 1987 Hampton University ハンプトン大学 バージニア州 米国   マスメディアコミュニケーション専攻学士号

職歴
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1990  -  1992  Peninsula Poseidons  バージニア州  代表
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1994  -  1996  WSB Radio Group  ジョージア州    マネージャー
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1997  -  1999  Butler Motorsports  ジョージア州 営業
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1999  -  2002  REMSA, Inc.  バージニア州 地域 マーケティングマネージャー
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Formal Education
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Bachelor of arts - Mass Media Communications – 1987
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Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia USA
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Post Graduate work: Marketing & Economics

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Highlights of Experience
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Japan
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Coach (American Football) 
2010 - 2016  Sotoku High School - (Hiroshima) Trained and advised young athletes on the football team. Sotoku is locally considered a "sports oriented" school where the students are admitted to college in part due to their athletic skills. My objective was to teach life transferable lessons while improving the player's skills and understanding of the sport. My methodology was to practice, train, and, on occasion, compete alongside them to help them understand and enjoy the sport. Sotoku is isolated from the majority of the other high school football programs in Japan. For details see blog links: .Football in Japan... ,  Still in the game... 
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English Teacher / Curriculum Development (contractor)
Developed and administered student centered English curriculum for high school (O.C. - 1, Business English, English Immersion), junior high (ALT, Curriculum Modification), and elementary school levels (Solo Interactive Curriculum). Produced testing materials at the junior and senior high school levels. Developed and administered Business English curriculum for practical and technical applications. My teaching methodology is interactive. Some former business clients (links): JSW Steel, TTI Japan. For more about my teaching experience see blog links: .Life in the Pony Express... , .A day in the saddle... , .Easy to understand English...
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Coach (American Football)
2005 - 2010 Johoku Gakuen - (Hiroshima) Taught football and life transferable skills utilizing discipline, rigorous training, and competitive adversity. Designed and administered a teaching and training regimen to specifically suit the academic environment at this particular school. Johoku is isolated from the majority of the other high school football programs in Japan. The team was comprised of first and second year high school students. All objectives were achieved without school funding. For details see blog links: .Football in Japan... Still in the game... ,  The hardest working boys in Western Japan... , .The first scrimmage... , .Kicking pants... , .Gambling to survive... 
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English Instructor
2002 - 2004  AEON Corporation - (Hiroshima) Taught conversational English and grammar to Japanese students of assorted backgrounds. Developed and administered Business English curriculum. Taught English conversation and TOEIC classes. Web: http://www.aeonet.com/ .

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United States
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Volunteer Refugee English & Cultural Acclimation Skills Program
2001 - 2002  Catholic Diocese of Richmond - (Hampton, Virginia) Assisted Bosnian refugees with English language skills, job placement, and general adaptation to living in the United States. Web: https://richmonddiocese.org/ 
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Southeast Region Marketing Manager
1999 - 2002  REMSA, Incorporated - (Newport News, Virginia) Marketed and promoted REMSA's technical & professional staffing services to federal, municipal, and commercial clients in the eastern region of the United States. Generated new business and established ongoing contacts at the federal, state, and municipal levels. Repositioned the company with its new status as a competitor in the private and municipal sectors. Synthesized REMSA's image and marketing. 
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Historic Pirate Reenactor
1999 - 2002 Crew member / Gunner / Pirate Reenactor - (Hampton, VA & Beaufort, NC) Performed authentic historic reenactments, usually the manning and firing of shipboard cannon and going aloft at historically themed tall Ship festivals. Activities were performed while ships were underway which necessitated ongoing training in seamanship. Events were held in the mid Atlantic coastal region of the United States. Specialized in early 18th century piracy, in particular the pirate Caesar (birth date unknown - 1719), one of the notorious Black Beard's (aka Edward Teach, 1680 - 1718) crew. Trained as crew member aboard Captain Horatio Sinbad's Meka II, a period two masted Brigantine class ship, based in Beaufort, North Carolina. Web: http://www.pirate-privateer.com/. Trained in the fine old art of period gunnery (mounted swivel guns, flintlock pistols, and cannon). Web: https://festevents.org/events/2018-season-events/norfolkharborfest/sail-norfolk-2017/, Blog link: Piracy 2.0...
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New Business Development / Regional Wholesale / Sales - Marketing
1997 - 1999  Butler Motorsports - (Atlanta, Georgia) Developed and managed wholesale accounts, retail sales, enhanced and promoted Butler Motorsports (high end, aftermarket performance division) concept. During first year generated over $450,000 in new wholesale revenue (previously non-existent category). Instrumental in turning a previously under performing Atlanta area business into a profitable establishment. This was achieved by integrating myself into local dealership's business processes; as a result I was able to generate non-traditional revenue during, historically, seasonal lulls. Instrumental in multiplying the profitability of the business by establishing and maintaining partnerships with regional automotive performance merchants to re-sell our authorized products (Claus Ettensberger, Pirelli, TSW, Enkei, HKS) and services. Web: http://www.butlertire.com/about, Blog link: .Life in the pits...
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Account Executive - Media Consultant.
1994 - 1996  WSB Radio Group - (Atlanta, Georgia) Developed over $500,000 in new business revenue for Sports Talk 680The Fan and News Talk 750 WSB AM. Established and maintained new business starting from zero (no billing clients). Assembled and executed strategic marketing campaigns for regional and national clients utilizing WSB’s resources (News Talk 750 WSB AM, Sports Talk 680 The Fan, Atlanta Braves Baseball, Atlanta Falcons Football, University of Georgia Football ). Responsible for creative aspect of radio copy for direct billing clientele. Negotiated with ad agencies. Held highest AUR (average unit rate) on the AM sales staff in 1996. Center for Sales Strategy seminar (CSS) attendee and graduate. Web: http://wsbradio.com/, http://www.coxmediagroup.com/, Blog link: Trading paint...
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President
1990 - 1992  Peninsula Poseidons - (Newport News, Virginia) Presided over the AFA's (American Football Association) second ranked (1992) football organization. Attended MDFL (Mason-Dixon Football League) organizational meetings and functions. Participated in promotional and civic events to promote and integrate the football organization into the community. Recruited key personnel for a 10-man coaching staff and a 55-man football roster. Negotiated with regional US military installations for games held on military facilities. Handled public relations as team spokesman to the media and at civic events. Starter as player (Defensive Back) from 1991-1993. Team Captain 1991 and 1992. MDFL All-League team at DB 1990, 1991, and 1992. For more details...   Blog link: The Poseidon Adventure... 
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For a satirical summary of my experiences & observations 
click the link below
                    
 The running man...
Assorted tales, observations & ramblings
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 Contact: crossculture64@yahoo.com
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My "Hobby" from 1991-1993

Life with "The Fighting Pirates" @ Hampton University circa 1983

Life with "The Fighting Pirates" @ Hampton University circa 1983
(#51) Keith "Lunch" Coleman, (#57) Torin "Big T" Smith, (#10) Robert Guy, (#42) Blake "Cadillac" Anderson - Tales of life with the Fighting Pirates (click photo for more)

Before "HU" there was this, "Hampton Institute Football"

Before "HU" there was this, "Hampton Institute Football"
(Click photo for more)

Life with "The Wolves" @ Cheyney State College 1981 - 1982

Life with "The Wolves" @ Cheyney State College  1981 - 1982
Donuts, penitentiaries, and pocket change... Tales of life at Cheyney (PA) State College. (Click photo for more)

Life with "The Lakewood (CA) Lancers" 1978 - 1980

Life with "The Lakewood (CA) Lancers"  1978 - 1980
A Tale of Two Schools... 1978 - 1980 (Click photo for more)

Life with "The Long Beach (CA) Bears" 1976-1977

Life with "The Long Beach (CA) Bears"  1976-1977
Tales of the Wild West 1968-1980 (Click photo for more)

After 4 decades, 9 football teams, and 16,000 miles... Hiroshima, Japan (2005 - ? )

Who knew football was played on the opposite side of the world? I didn't... After I found out...well, just scroll down and continue reading...

Coaching High School football in Western Japan... (2005-2016)

Coaching High School football in Western Japan... (2005-2016)
Living and coaching on the far side...(click photo for more)

The Johoku alumni game...

The Johoku alumni game...
The annual Johoku OB (alumni) game December 2007. In front wearing red are the current Johoku High School players. On the right, in the black are the current Johoku Junior High flag football team members (many of these same players are members of the 2009 - 2010 Longhorns team). Standing on the left in steet clothes in the rear wearing white are the OBs (alumni). I'm in the front on the far right. Every year I've played in this game alongside the current high school squad. They've been doing this event for years. The OB team consists of current college players, X - League players, and plain old "salarymen". ...Johoku Field, Hiroshima

The "Guys from Fukuoka"

The "Guys from Fukuoka"
The “guys from Fukuoka” (standing) joining Johoku's summer training session.

Gameday in Hiroshima with the Johoku Longhorns

Gameday in Hiroshima with the Johoku Longhorns
Pre-game @ Koiki Koen, Hiroshima circa 2006 (Click photo for more)

My American football in Japan sensei, Mr. Okayama

My American football in Japan sensei, Mr. Okayama
We coached together from mid 2005 to early 2007 before he retired. He is also a professional football referee in Japan. He coached Johoku for 10 years which is not an easy task in Hiroshima, Japan. He is a Johoku alumnus.

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Okayamasan was a "hands on" kind of guy... He worked multiple jobs in order to coach. In his case, as is typical in Japan coaching does not pay (not money anyway)

"You're not going to die...It's only the right ankle so run on the left one. Now get back in the game"...

They played as if money was involved... (#18) WR Takahashi squares-off with an alumni player... OB game 2007

Me attempting to lay the wood on an OB player...

The "Immaculate tackle"...

The "Immaculate tackle"...
The "Immaculate tackle" …all Johoku defenders (red) were 120 pound 10th graders...They actually brought him down... At first it looked as if they were trying to escort him to the end zone before someone (#12) took the initiative. They stopped him on the 5 yard line. If I remember correctly, this was actually their first game. This is my favorite picture!! ...Hiroshima 2007

Johoku Team Captain, (#79) OL/DL Tsubaki (left) leads the warm-ups. He went on to play for Yamaguchi University after high school...Toyonaka High School, Osaka 2006 (click photo for Yamaguchi University football link)

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Mr. Takeshita and an OB (Johoku alumni) watching the action in Osaka.

What a way to spend a cold December morning, putting people in the dirt!! OB game , 2005

The "Last fumble" for Johoku's seniors and Coach Okayama - Koiki Koen, Hiroshima 2006

WR Takahashi (#18) trying to avoid getting dirty in Kyoto... August 2006

Meet the parents...

Meet the parents...
My first speech in Japanese (very short) @ Johoku football Bonenkai. Hiroshima, Japan 2007 (Click photo for more)

WR (#85) Izawa clears the way for RB (#35) Oda Jr. Izawa went on to play at Ehime University. - 2006 Kobe (click photo for Ehime University football link)

Much appreciated parental support @ Johoku OB game - Hiroshima 2008

Visitors

Visitors
A football team from Ashland, Oregon visiting Hiroshima. They played against the Japan national All-Star team. The Japan All-Star team (composed of the top players from the Kansai area) alternates with Ashland, Oregon High School in hosting this bi-annual game. My players are barely visible behind the Ashland team in this picture. July 2009 Hiroshima (Click on Picture for Ashland Football Link)

We'd play just about anyone...

We'd play just about anyone...
A brief ceremony before the Johoku High School vs Shudo University scrimmage... November 2009 (Click photo for more)

The "Guys from Fukuoka"... (4 guys on a mission)

The "Guys from Fukuoka"...   (4 guys on a mission)
Combined scrimmage between Johoku & the guys from Fukuoka... They came up from Fukuoka with only 4 high school players, 1 beginner who was 26 years old, and 4 teachers. They all suited up and we played a good old fashioned 8 on 8 (half offense vs half defense) scrimmage... August 2008

(Click photo for more)

The brain...

The brain...
The sacred "brain" (pictured in my right hand) was our master playbook. It contained the deep, dark, intricacies of Johoku's offensive and defensive systems. It also contained laminated diagrams of our passing game complete with distances and angles..it allowed everyone in the huddle to understand the details of their assignments quickly without explanation. ...It also allowed some of the college players that joined the "combined scrimmages" to integrate into our offense easily. ...If it were to come-up missing, responsible parties would have been exhiled to a remote island... August 2009

Road Trips... 5 Hours plus...

Road Trips... 5 Hours plus...
Heading to the “jungle" (Kansai) to play a game. It takes about five hours by bus from Hiroshima to the Kansai (Osaka-Kobe) area. There are only two high school football teams (Johoku and Sotoku) in the westernmost part of Japan so we have to travel to the Kansai area to compete; either that or we scrimmage the few Hiroshima area colleges or adult clubs. Aside from Sotoku the closest opponent is Mikki High School which is four hours east of Hiroshima by bus. There's no allocated funding from the school that I'm aware of so the player’s equipment and transportation costs come out of their parent's pockets. Charter bus fees to Kansai start from $1,200.00 round trip. The cost is evenly divided among the players for away games. In Japan most schools don't provide sports uniforms or pay expenses as in America; private schools in Japan operate more or less as businesses with little or no government funding (Click on photo for more)

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Heading to Osaka...

From Johoku H.S. to Mikki H.S., 4 Hours by bus... our second "closest" opponent.


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Johoku vs Mikki H.S.... ...The day's Captain was Anada (#50). He proved to be a leader on the field that day as well. Late in the 4th quarter from his linebacker position he stripped the opposing team's running back and dashed 65 yards for the game tying score. We went on to win 12 - 6. ...the pre-game ceremony Mikki 2009

The "back-up"... A tale of finding one's place in the food chain...

The "back-up"... A tale of finding one's place in the food chain...
Pre-game... (#26) forgot to take the hand-off... again! Who's the guy in the silver helmet? That's the coach (me). That day, we had thirteen players make the trip and only one QB. If the QB goes down we forfeit...and that’s bad for both teams. It turned out I had to play QB for one series (QB #12 was briefly knocked-out),

The rally...

The rally...
Johoku vs Mikki High School, Hyogo Prefecture

The Hiroshima Rivalry... Johoku vs Sotoku

The Hiroshima Rivalry... Johoku vs Sotoku
QB Kato (#3) runs the triple option against Sotoku.... ...Sotoku and Johoku are the only two high school football teams located in western Japan. The schools are separated by only 2 or 3 kilometers. The next nearest high school football team is Mikki H.S. (about 3.5 hours east of Hiroshima by bus). ...Johoku is considered an academic school while Sotoku is more of a sports oriented school. ...Koiki Koen, Hiroshima 2009 (Click on photo for more about Sotoku)

A long day...

A long day...
This group of guys had played together about a year. Here they are doing battle with Osaka Minoo High School.

Doing things in unison...

Doing things in unison...
The guys entered the stadium, warmed-up, and most everything else, in unison. Nothing novel or new in football, but for most of these guys, it was. With them, I made sure everything was done this way. I even mandated that every member of the team be similarly equipped with regards to arm pads and the types of cleats they used. The things I wanted to emphasize with them were responsibility, preparedness, and thinking about the details. The game of football itself was just a means to an end. This photo was taken before the Ritsumeikan Moriyama scrimmage, Shiga... March 2009 (Click photo for more)

Johoku @ Kobe's Rokko...

Johoku @ Kobe's Rokko...
QB (#12) Kondo runs the offense. ...Johoku vs Kobe Rokko... 2010

The dungeon...

The dungeon...
This is the inside of my office, spare equipment storage, player confession chamber, locker room. Not the cleanest place in the world as a new form of fungus was discovered at the base of the shelves near the flag football team's shoes. You can see my shoulder pads (#3) on the top of the shelf. This is also where we keep "loaner" football gear for alumni and visitors. Due to our chronic manpower shortage I've established a rule where if a college player or alumnus wants to visit he has to suit up and join me in being another target for the day. Don't have a helmet? We have them in all types and sizes, Riddell, Schutt, you name it; though mostly older models. We also have shoulder pads if you need them. Forgot your cleats? We have those too. High tops or low? Don't worry about a mouth piece either because we'll make you a temporary one out of tape and pre-wrap, although they don't taste very good (for more on football on a budget click on photo)

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My class room was all dirt. ...In Japan, 99% of the football teams play on dirt. In the summer its hard as rock and in the winter it freezes. It is best the day after rain when it is kind of soft. ...In the event of a scrimmage or game after hard rain, the players use buckets and cups to remove the water before we use the field. I've seen parents and alumni help do this prior to the annual OB (alumni) game. After each and every practice or game, all throughout Japan, it is standard procedure for all members of the team to use giant "rakes" to level the entire field and remove imperfections so the ground is smooth and ready for the next practice or event. ...A lot of football programs in America could benefit from doing more of the minutia of the "day to day" stuff. ...Who needs state of the art weight facilities when just "heavy" weights used outdoors will do? The game is played outdoors... ...Who needs air conditioned indoor practice facilities when the elements add to the mental and physical toughness? ...Fix your own damn helmet!!, ...Cut your own field's grass. ..It all adds to the experience.

"No budget" football (not necessarily a bad thing)...

"No budget" football (not necessarily a bad thing)...
The "Edo Jidai" (Edo period 1603-1868) blocking sled at Johoku's practice field. It was more dangerous than useful, but it’s all we had (we broke it in 2009). As you can probably deduce, this is definitely the "anti-Nebraska" program with regard to facilities; and that’s not entirely a bad thing. Apparently for some it would be considered a luxury to have "blue chip" athletes, state of the art weight rooms, and indoor practice facilities. Grounds keepers and training staff might also be considered frivolous depending on where you are. What an eye opener this experience was for me coming from America. As a result of what I’ve had to deal with here consider me a convert. Somehow it all seems more fitting to do things the hard way. Overcoming difficulty is the definition of preparation. If weights are heavy, they’re good enough to lift. If weather is bad, practice in it. ...No squat rack or blocking sled available? Use a mountain. ...No trainer? Tape the players yourself, or better yet, teach them to tape themselves. If the players have low motivation for rigorous training, train with them. I strongly believe that having everyone involved in the minutia of the day to day makes for a better organization. Though football in Japan isn’t developed to anywhere near the level that it is in the US, I’ve come to realize that a lot of what’s deemed as necessary in American football programs isn’t. In the various (US) football programs that I’ve been a part of over the years we didn’t always make full use of what we had. Though by no means impoverished many of those football programs aspired to emulate what the most bloated programs were doing. There’s a mentality that the most newfangled facilities somehow improve the quality of the sport. Case in point: in the summer of 2008 I met a young “aspiring” high school football player from Kyushu (see “the Guys from Fukuoka”). He and his three teammates had travelled three hours by bus to Hiroshima just to practice with my six players. The kid had a huge heart and the physical ability to match. In the various drills he excelled in each. He caught everything I threw, too high, too far, too low. He clearly stood out from everyone and had a big, eager smile on his face the whole time. I looked down at his feet and noticed he had two un-matching shoes, both of which were completely worn out. Turns out, he didn’t own any (Click photo for more)

The "stairway to pain"...

The "stairway to pain"...
The mountain next to Johoku's campus had 150 yards of steep stairs. ...This is where we trained our legs for power and stamina. ...These stairs go vertical about 150 feet from the ground and are about 150 yards total in length. The stairs extend another 10 yards downward beyond the bottom of this picture (they are blocked by a small cemetery), and another 60 yards or so upward beyond the grey pole in the upper center of this picture. The players hated this mountain training. They didn't speak English, but if they heard me say the word "mountain" they'd start mumbling profanity in Japanese. ...After the weight training (...usually 2 twice a week) was finished we would run from the school (...1/2 a mile downhill from this place) to the base of this mountain. We would usually run 2 or 3 sprints up the staircase, intermittently doing plyometrics at the bottom. ...Occasionally, we’d run to the top of this mountain, turn to the left, and follow the mountain trail on a roundabout 1/2 mile course that would lead us back here where we started. ...We (myself included) always ran in full football gear in all weather. ...When we first started the mountain training, the players always complained. After we started "blowing out" teams in the second half of games, they seemed as if they actually looked forward to the mountain training. ...Back in 2007, when I first started using the mountain trail, I would run with the team just to the top of the stairs and wait for them to return from the trail run. ...The very first time I sent the players off to run the trail, only half of them came back. ...The rest had gotten lost and took about 30 minutes to return. Since then, I always ran with them and made sure to carry my cell phone. ...There are some benefits to training with the players, such as: understanding how they felt based on the current conditions which allowed me to make adjustments. It was also a useful psychological tactic (click photo for more examples of daily routine integrated "free training" ).

Gameday support...

Gameday support...
The video crew - A variety of people supported Johoku's football team. On game days some duties were handled by a local OB (alumni) that happened to live wherever we were playing. Once or twice when we were undermanned a local alumnus would suit up so we had enough members to compete. Food and labor for special events was often provided by player’s parents. In the photo above the videographer is the sister of one of the Johoku player's. Most of the photography was done by Mr. Oda (the father of a former player) or myself. The video footage taken at our practice field was done by Mr. Takeshita, who is a man of many talents. ...Osaka, Japan 2006

...The timekeepers. Kobe 2006

Equipment staff...

Equipment staff...
The equipment staff... ...wait a minute...there is no equipment staff...You have to do it your @#%#& self !! ..Helmet broken? ...here's a screwdiver.

Myself, QB/DB Kato (#3), OT/LB Anada (#50), and Takeshitasensei before the All Japan, All Star game... July 2009

"@#% damn it!!" ; ...internationally understood.

"@#% damn it!!" ; ...internationally understood.
After the "tongue lashing", I applied the silent treatment to initiate "mental pressure" on #88... It didn't work in this case though... It's a good thing that the fans and the referees in Japan didn't understand the English profanity I was using. The funny thing is, my players DID understand my profanity... They knew that if a sentence began or ended with "goddamn it" that they did something wrong. Otherwise, they didn't understand a word of English. Hiroshima 2009 (Click photo for more)

Before... (2007)

Before...            (2007)
These are 8th, and 9th graders on the flag football team at Johoku. Thirteen of these same kids went on to join the 2009 - 2010 football team. Two of them quit after experiencing the rigors of training (one practice) and another lost heart after witnessing his first actual football game from the sidelines. This is what they look like when they first show-up to join the team.... (On the right is Takeshitasensei.)

After... (2009)

After...        (2009)
The Hiroshima Johoku Longhorns - Not quite ready for prime time at this point; however.... they would be... about ...4 months, 10,000 bench reps, 15,000 squats, 30,000 bent-over barbell rows, 5 scrimmages, and countless uphill sprints... LATER. ....Eleven of the players in this picture were in the 2007 picture above... Try to match their faces... (...I'm on the far left, Takeshitasensei is on the far right) Kyoto, March 2009 (Click photo for more)

The "11 man" era... (2007- 2008)

The "11 man" era...       (2007- 2008)
During the 2007 - 2008 season, the team was only able to compete two times the entire year as a result of having so few members. The players learned to work just for works sake. On this particular day, we scrounged together eleven players just to compete. The Captain, Noma (#26) wasn't able to participate due to an injury...so we actually had ten Johoku students available. Fortunately, one of the OBs (alumni) was available and joined the team as the eleventh man. The team we faced (the Titans) had thirty-five or so players. To make a long story short, we outplayed the other team and let them escape with a 6 - 6 tie. The game ended with our offense on their 5 yard line and a fumbled snap. …And the moral of this story? ...take your pick. (Click photo for more)

Disbelief...

Disbelief...
After the "11 man" game (Johoku's eleven players vs the Titans thirty-five players resulting in a 6 - 6 tie) the guys are filled with a sense of accomplishment, obviously outplaying their own expectations. For the four guys on the left (...all 10th graders), this was their first football game. The prior scheduled game against our rival Sotoku, had been deemed a forfeit (three months earlier) in the second quarter of the game as a result of two of the eleven players getting injured (one before kick-off). I vowed never to be put in that situation again because it is bad for football in Japan and for the players on both teams. It was obviously no coincidence that the three players to come up lame early, were the same who wouldn't invest themselves in the physical or mental preparation required (they wouldn't come to practice, but they showed-up for the game). We aren't playing golf here folks...bodies must be conditioned. That kind of thinking didn't play well at Johoku (...academic school?). I'm getting ahead of myself here...Anyway, as a result of the last forfeit and this game with only eleven players, I decided that I would suit-up myself if we had thirteen or fewer players available on game day.

A Typical day...

A Typical day...
Life in the Pony Express - Trains, clocks, motorcycles, laminated flash cards, shoulder pads, and daily planners. These are the tools I use to fulfill my daily obligations. My days are planned down to the minute with regard to train schedules, driving distances, training methods, and even access to food. (For more on life in the saddle, click on photo).

Life with "Fighting ducks"...(2010 - 2016)

Life with "Fighting ducks"...(2010 - 2016)
(Click photo for more)