Feetures Feature Coach of the Month, March 2023
March 21, 2023 by Let Me Run National
Craig Gerlach never shies away from an opportunity to help out boys at his school, whether through his role as an Instructional Assistant or coaching Let Me Run. But recently, he went above and beyond to bring Let Me Run to his school after seeing the need to boost self-esteem in one student. Now, he is busier than ever, hosting a 5k fundraiser so that he can provide full scholarships to 28 Let Me Run boys, while also serving as the head coach on both a 3rd grade and 4th/5th grade team. His commitment to starting the program and helping his students inspired us, and we were excited to catch up with him and share his story. Congrats Craig - you have truly gone the extra mile!
Let Me Run: How did you get involved with Let Me Run?
Craig: I got involved with Let Me Run because of one student that I had as a substitute teacher. The child was in the school that I now currently work in as an Instructional Assistant. The needs of this one student highlighted a need within the school for a program to build up the self-esteem of the boys. After doing an internet search for boys running programs, I came across Let Me Run. Upon reading the various sections of the website I knew I had found the right program. In the Fall of 2021, I discussed the program with my school administrator and presented her with the information. I was given the go ahead to proceed with asking the Director of Schools for permission to begin. At that point no one even knew if an instructional assistant could even start an after-school program. After weeks of patience and prayer, I received the go ahead to begin a team in January 2022. Unfortunately, I was unable to start due to a lack of time to recruit volunteers to assist me. I had to tell 28 young men eager to run that we were not going to be able to do it. I promised them that we would run in the Fall. In the Fall of 2022, I was joined by Chase Watkins who agreed to be my assistant coach. We fielded our first team of thirteen 4th and 5th grade boys.
This is only my second season as a head coach. This season I have expanded to including a 3rd grade team. This addition has doubled the number of boys in the program. I have planned to do separate 4th and 5th grade teams this coming fall, because I had to turn away boys this spring.
Let Me Run: You've gone above and beyond to bring teams to Bluff City Elementary. Can you share more about some of your efforts?
Craig: This Spring season I have been working very closely with the town mayor to put together The 1st Annual Bluff City Community 5k benefiting Let Me Run Bluff City Elementary. The proceeds from this race is to provide all boys with complete scholarships. Our school is a Title 1 school, this means that many of the families do not have additional money for things such as after school programs. This is an unfortunate reality for many of the students in the region where I live. The mayor that I am working with plans to promote the race on a local TV station and it is here that I plan to challenge other area schools to start their own teams.
Let Me Run: Why is the mission of Let Me Run meaningful to you?
Craig: Let Me Run‘s mission of “Preparing Boys for the long run “ has a special meaning for me on both a personal and professional level. On a personal level growing up I was bullied for most of the time I was in school as a result I suffered from low self esteem and depression at an early age. Had a program such as this been available to me, it would have helped tremendously. On a professional level during the 30+ years that I have worked with children, many of them have lacked a sense of self-worth, accomplishment, and a knowledge of how to handle the emotions bottled up inside of them. The lessons that I have taught and the personal growth I have witnessed would have benefited so many of them.
Let Me Run: What is one of your favorite memories from coaching with Let Me Run?
Craig: I have so many great memories from this past season. The one that stands out in my mind the most is when one of my team members didn’t want to go the day we were going to run 3.1 miles. I picked him up from our school’s after school program and talked him into coming. That day not only did he run 3.1 miles, but he ran an additional mile. The smile on his face afterwards is something I will never forget. At the end of the season I gave him the title of “Overcomer,” because he overcame his self-doubt. This season he continues to go the extra mile and encourages others to do the same.
Let Me Run: What would you say to anyone thinking about starting a new team?
Craig: My message to anyone who is thinking about starting a team can be summed up in two words “Do it.” You will learn more from the kids than you will ever teach them and the memories and friendships you create will last a lifetime.
In closing, I leave you with the verse that has driven me to coach these remarkable young men. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up. Gal. 6:9”
