The Sports Dad: Each week I will provide insights and resources about youth sports that inform, inspire and entertain

Welcome to my very first blog post—and thanks for being here. 

Why I’m Blogging 

As a passionate dad, coach and entrepreneur, I live and breathe youth sports. I co-founded a company focused on helping kids, parents, and coaches navigate the often chaotic, but always meaningful, youth sports journey. Watching my 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son compete is a constant source of pride, inspiration and learning. 

For me, sports aren’t just games—they’re a way of life. When youth sports are done right, they promote mental and physical health, build character, spark joy and create unforgettable moments that bring families and communities together. 

This blog is my way of giving back—curating and sharing the best content I come across in the world of youth sports. Think of me as your content scout. Each week, I’ll publish three quick reads: one post focused on inspiration, one on information and one on entertainment. No fluff—just useful, relevant, and real content designed with busy sports parents in mind. 

This Week's Inspiration: The Daily Coach 

What it is: The Daily Coach is a newsletter and website co-founded in 2019 by coaching legends and leadership thinkers—Coach George Raveling, Michael Lombardi, and Kimati Ramsey. Its mission? To equip people—parents, coaches, executives, anyone—with tools to become better leaders, starting with leading themselves. 

Why it Inspires Me: Don’t let the title fool you—this isn’t just for sports coaches. It’s for anyone in a leadership role (and yes, parenting absolutely counts). What keeps me coming back each morning is the tone: insightful, relatable and actionable. 

I’m a sucker for sports metaphors that carry life lessons—and The Daily Coach delivers them in spades. But beyond the metaphors, the real magic is in how the content makes you pause and reflect, then go do something about it. Whether I’m managing a tough parenting moment or trying to lead better at work, I often find myself applying what I just read.  

Recommended Read: “Be Childlike, Not Childish” 

Here’s a powerful excerpt: 

Childlike: Curious. Open. Teachable. Joyful. Resilient. In awe of what’s possible. 
Childish: Entitled. Reactive. Resistant. Blaming. Defeatist. Stuck in “It’s not fair.” 

“Childlike means walking into the world with wide-open wonder … ready to be amazed, ready to be taught. Childish means: I want it, I should have it, and if I don’t, I’m going to throw a tantrum.” 

It’s a reminder to approach life—especially parenting and coaching—with curiosity over cynicism, and to lead with joy and humility.   

I've found this framework especially helpful in real-life parenting moments—particularly after my kids’ games. Like many parents (forgive me!), I sometimes have a strong, knee-jerk reaction in my head when one of them makes what looks like a poor decision in the heat of competition. But instead of reacting immediately, I now try to apply the "childlike vs. childish" lens. I give it a day or two, then circle back with a calm, open-ended question like, “What was going through your mind during that play?” That pause creates space for conversation—not conflict—and almost always leads to more insight and connection than reacting in the moment ever could.  

Action You Can Take 

Subscribe to The Daily Coach here: https://www.thedaily.coach/subscribe 

It's free, quick to read, and might just become your favorite morning habit like it has become mine. 

If you come across any content that you think is worth sharing with the broader Youth Inc. community, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line at tmurphy@youth.inc. 

Let’s learn, grow, and enjoy the ride—together.