Arlington coaches want to build character

The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation awarded $30,000 to the Arlington school district to change some of the dynamics in school sports.

Arlington is participating in the InSideOut Initiative, a nationwide program to “reclaim sports as an education experience.”

The Dallas Cowboys, the University Interscholastic League and the Texas High School Coaches Association have partnered to bring the initiative to the Arlington district’s athletics programs.

The program will train coaches to be more like role models and build up the character of young athletes by instilling positive personal growth.

Coaches will start working toward a different definition of success, one not determined by stats but by character.

“We are focused on developing our students through sports with more than physical skills, strategies and rules of a game,” Arlington School Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos said in a statement. “Our coaches can have a tremendous, positive impact on student-athletes and change the trajectory of their lives.”

This initiative will have some tough obstacles to overcome, especially in this football-loving state, but is worth the effort.

This story was originally published August 3, 2016 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Arlington coaches want to build character."