Before the word Coach was used in sports, it was strictly used as a means of transportation. Being a Coach is more than a title, it is a responsibility and an honor. Charlestavious Brooks was a L.E.A.D. Ambassador for four years and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School (Atlanta) in 2020. He now serves as a L.E.A.D. Coach.
A L.E.A.D. Ambassador is the highest level of leadership in L.E.A.D.’s year-round programming, which uses baseball as a vehicle to help 350 Black boys, grades 6-12, from Atlanta Public Schools overcome crime, poverty and racism.
A L.E.A.D. Ambassador is a civically engaged young man who has an awareness of the importance of core values and executive function that allows him to perform on and off the baseball field.
I sat down and talked to Charlestavious about his experience as a L.E.A.D. Ambassador and Coach.
This time last year, you were competing to become a L.E.A.D. Ambassador through the L.E.A.D. Fall Legacy League. Describe the difference between L.E.A.D.’s Fall Legacy League and our summer Application Phase?
The difference is that during the Legacy League you are more slow-moving because coaches are looking to see what players need help and improvement. They want to see who they would select to become an Ambassador. The summer Application Phase is more fast paced with a lot more games and events.
Why was fall ball so important to your baseball development?
It is an opportunity for the participants to learn more about baseball and L.E.A.D. (lead2legacy.org). It also gives them an opportunity to get know other student-athletes.
As a L.E.A.D. Coach, why is the Legacy League important to you? How does it help to determine which Ambassadors move through our development process?
The Legacy League gives me the chance to know who the student-athletes are, what I am working with and what everyone needs help with.
What are the top three bad habits you had as a student-athlete—ones you cannot afford to have as a Coach?
I would say they are lack of maturity, poor time management and poor communications.
What is one guarantee you will make today to the student-athletes and L.E.A.D. Ambassadors you Coach that they can hold you accountable for fulfilling?
I can guarantee I will do a good job of communicating and being punctual. When I fail to be excellent at either one of those, I will be held accountable immediately by L.E.A.D.’s leadership.
To help keep your skills sharp, we have introduced a new type of Skill Build—our Virtual Skill Build, where I can help you develop hitting skills anytime, anywhere using anything. Check it out.
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
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C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 22 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and a track record of success that can work for you.
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