It was the day after a hard rain and the clouds sat as still in the sky as a dragonfly on a lily pad with a toad within striking distance. The breeze from the previous day hadn't disappeared completely, yet it was the kind of day where you could take your jacket off and pretend Mother Nature had turned up her glow to a sleeveless comfort level until that breeze shot into your sleeve, straight down your spine like a razorblade, and you were quickly reminded that spring wasn't quite all the way here. It was that kind of day -- yep, the perfect day for soccer.

As I arrived at Gateway Middle School, I easily located Coach Torry Hollimon with his squad of 5-year-olds on the far field. He was easy to spot as he stood hunched over the little soccer ball in the green grass. He was dressed in all red with the word Coach in white lettering across his back. It was the first time I'd seen him in this role. To me, he'd become known as T-Spade. That's who he was in my world since I'd begun taking photos and video of him throughout last month in preparation for an upcoming album release next fall. I had become accustomed to calling him Spade in interviews so that people could get used to hearing his stage name, but today, to me, the parents and all the kids, he was simply Coach Torry.

His older 7-year-old twin children had finished their game and were now on the sidelines. They were fresh out of their socks and chin guards, as his daughter practiced cartwheels and his son kicked errant soccer balls into a giant puddle. They celebrated each splash as a resounding accomplishment and every plash seemed even more glorious than the next. The balls that managed to splash closest to his sister seemed to be the ones he exalted in most. She took a break from her cartwheel practice to slip back into her cleats and tip toe into the waters to fetch the floating balls for her brother. Only for him to set them up and directly launch them back into the puddle, almost like little missiles onto an imaginary battleground.

The game they had created looked like so much fun that I decided to kick one of the errant balls into the water myself. I lined it up, carefully looking around to make sure no parents noticed I was acting too kidlike, and flicked it with my toe like a rainbow into the center of the puddle. Satisfied with my little splash, I turned my attention back to the field as the warmups ended and the game begun. Coach Torry kept his energy high and his spirit turned all the way up as he inspired the children in a manner only he can. Their little eyes affixed to his quick mouth as instruction exited and lesson's of sportsmanship and positivity entered the young minds. Two team mothers took time from their Mother's Day to flank the huddle of youngsters, occasionally translating a few words into Spanish for their young one to fully understand coach's important message.

It was obvious the kids were lucky to have such a spirited leader, as I watched Coach Torry call his youngest son back to the sideline and patiently tie his shoelace before sending him back into the game with a little pep talk. The same way Spade had captured my attention with his clever word play and unmatched lyrical imagery on stage was exactly how he commanded their young minds by leading with positive intention. As the day came to a close and the BG's (blue & golds) left the field with a victory, coach Torry gathered his three children, their socks, their chin guards, their snacks, their sports bags and all their soccer balls, under both arms and headed on a long march back to his vehicle. About halfway there, with his arms filled and his heart full, he took a moment to greet his brother who he noticed posted up on the sideline enjoying a look at a family member playing flag football on another field. The brothers joked, giggled, teased and enjoyed a moment of hard-earned leisure before we eventually found our way back to the parking lot.

As we rode off toward a new adventure, I couldn't help but think that the kids were lucky to have Coach Torry on the sidelines. The sun was out, the temperatures were brisk, the puddles were deep, yet Torry was exactly where he needed to be. The kids are blessed to have him as their coach.