T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
is his second year to serve with PGYA and his third year to serve with RYSA. Just like with policing, it is the little things in youth sports that solidify Bailey’s love for it. “There is a baby whose older brother plays with RYSA,” he recalls. “This kid is two years old and always running around the court looking for any chance he can to shoot the ball. I will pick him up and hold him to the goal and let him slam dunk the ball and the crowd goes crazy for him! This kid is by far the happiest baby I have ever seen, especially when he has a ball in his hands!” As it is commonly known, it is not always the easiest job to be a referee. Unhappy parents can sometimes be more of a challenge than the players themselves. Bailey has had his fair share of issues. However, he has a strict policy he stands by in those instances. “I try not to get too involved with the parents or the crowd,” he shared. “If I allow them to distract me, then it is pulling attention away from why we are all there and that is the kids!”
Bailey loves his time on the court with the kids. He values the opportunity to take the extra time with them to teach them so they do not make the same mistakes again. Bailey shared, “I want the kid to become a better player. A lot of these kids are still in the development stage of their life. Some are growing at a faster pace than others and may not be able to control themselves in certain aspects or maneuvers. I just try to give them pointers and what coaching I can to make that development process easier. I remember my coaches taking extra time with me or giving me pointers as to what to work on in my free time. That’s what will get a kid to the next level. It’s not what you do in practice or in a game. It is what you do on your own time that makes a difference. It is work you put in off the court.” What an amazing role model our youth have in Alan Bailey! He displays for all what it means to truly serve both on the court and off.
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S P O R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T
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