02/12/2026
A lot of people say that the winter naturally brings depression. Usually depression comes with the cold weather, lack of sunshine, and many other scientific and sometimes superstitious reasons. For me, the burden of depression normally comes around this time (January/February). There are a lot of reasons behind it, but most of it is just the pressure associated with being a leader. I work a normal job that doesn’t offer a lot of thanks or condolences, however I also run this youth non-profit organization on the side (which is a full time job by itself, that I do for free). Those that have never witnessed youth sports might not know the challenges that it comes with for those that try to do the right things.
A little history on my coaching and the development of Mean Machine Sports: Approximately 20 years ago, I had a desire to start coaching. My daughter was about two years old at the time. As a child I played baseball, basketball, and football, but my heart and (what I felt was my abilities) always belonged to baseball. I lost my desire to play baseball at 15 years old, due to a “coach” that I will not name, because ultimately I am the one that walked away. After coaching for a few seasons, my daughter started to gain interest in soccer and wanting to play, so like most parents I went to the local YMCA and quickly got talked into coaching, although I had no clue about this game. I learned through a lot of trials and errors, a lot of videos, books, and guidance from other local coaches. Pretty soon, me coaching only one team, turned into multiple teams (as all my daughters’ friends and soon my son wanted to play). Soccer turned into futsal, again just one team eventually turning into multiple teams, and then Mean Machine Sports was born. One thing I tried to do in the beginning was the same thing most coaches and parents did. I tried to win. That was what was important, that’s what was taught to me growing up. As I watched these parents and coaches throwing tantrums and yelling and not being the people, I knew them to be (outside of the court/field), I lost more interest in winning (at least in this way).
Mean Machine Sports was founded originally just as an idea, but I soon filed the paperwork with the IRS and the State of Ohio and founded a Solo Member 501c3 Nonprofit Organization. What is a Solo Member Nonprofit? It is a legal entity within the State of Ohio that is formed with a single individual that makes the general decisions for the organization. Although the IRS prefers a board of directors, if the given organization’s goal to serve the public is in place then they also accept this type of entity. As everything started growing, more players wanted to play, and more people wanted to be a part of this organization. I formed a Board of Advisors/Directors to not only help me with all the work that goes into running the organization, but to also make decisions. I hate making decisions, because I always feel I am letting someone down. Although I am able to remove/add members to this board as needed, and ultimately make the decisions or which direction the organization goes, I get made fun of and mocked by a lot of people for having to make these decisions. Right now though, I have a great group of people on our board and I consider them all friends of mine. These friendships do not come easily. They come with disagreements and getting frustrated with one another. These current board members dedicate a lot and time to this organization as well. When any disagreements occur, ultimately I will not allow a decision to be made that hinders the goals and purpose of the organization. Some of these decisions go through and some dont. This has caused a lot of volunteers, coaches, and board members to come and go. To me this is a necessity for Mean Machine, as I look at this club and its participants as my own children and family. Due to this, I have probably lost 100 times more friends throughout the years, than what I currently have in life.
I don’t know for sure where this club is going next, but I know I am still hanging in there and I still want to continue it, but I need help from you, the community that we serve. We need coaches that are focused on developing not just the players that are already developed, but also the ones that are just starting their journey, regardless of their age. We need people to work in the concessions and the door at the facility during games, so we can ensure the lights stay on and the referees are paid, and not only Mean Machine players, but other teams/players have a safe place to grow and play. We need people to understand that the door fee pays for the lease of the facility and not complain. We need other teams to come and play and support the community in which they live in. We need coaches, parents, and fans to control their behavior and realize that these are just children that are playing in a local recreational youth sports league. We need a community that embraces youth sports, through sponsorships and helping paying for players that might not get to play otherwise. Help us prevent parents from having to choose which of their children get to play and which don’t. As an organization, the only time we don’t accept players is if their parents make it impossible for us to do so, through toxic behavior or if the division is full, a deadline has passed, and is preventing us from adding other teams to the schedule.
One day, I will move on. When I do, I will do everything in my power to hand Mean Machine off to someone that has the same ideals/values as myself. Mean Machine Sports may continue at that point or that next person may start their own club. What is most important to me is ensuring that my families and friends have a supportive place to go and that the next person doesn’t have a struggle starting out like I had. As the leader of this organization, please know that I am here for you, and although my body is to the point where it’s not wanting to do it much longer, I will always do my best to continue. I want every child to have the opportunity to develop into something they feel is their goal. I want parents, coaches, and the community to view development and growth as the goal and not a plastic trophy.
Thank you to the player that I saw this evening while grocery shopping. They reminded me why I am doing this, and why I am enduring and pushing through. To that player, I never thought you would ever let your team down, but it made my heart whole again just hearing you say that you wouldn’t. See everyone on March 14th for the Mean Machine Awards Banquet.
- Coach Jack
