Meet Coach Key | Youth Coach & I.T. Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Coach Key and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Coach, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk-taking is a necessary part of life and can be essential for personal growth and development. Risk-taking for me has been rewarding in some aspects as well as given me some teachable life moments. Without risk-taking I would lack experience and knowledge in some entrepreneurial hardships that are needed to garner success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a non profit founder. My focus is advocating a safe place for youth to participate in youth sports. When I speak on safe I am speaking on the mental aspects of youth sports as well as the physical environment. Right now I am excited for and in the process of reaching out to local businesses, community members, and sports organizations, sharing the mission and seeking support. With the funds raised, we will provide scholarships, grants, and sponsorships to talented and those society considers untalented kids. There are a lot of kids who lacked financial means. By partnering with local sports clubs and training facilities to negotiate discounted rates and sponsorships for the children in need. Additionally, I would love to organize coaching clinics and workshops, inviting experienced athletes and coaches to share their knowledge and mentorship to aspiring young talents.
The non-profit will expanded its reach beyond basketball, embracing a wide variety of sports, from soccer to swimming, gymnastics to martial arts. Through our efforts, the goal is to discover hidden talents in the community and help the youth overcome financial barriers to pursue their passions.
Over time, Underdogs Athletics will become a beacon of hope for young athletes, transforming the lives of countless children who otherwise would have been left on the sidelines. My belief as Coach Key is to inspire an entire movement that celebrate the power of sports, providing equal opportunities for every child to thrive.

Becoming a non profit founder and building a professional career in the nonprofit sector involves a combination of passion, dedication, strategic planning, and networking. The journey is definitely easy if you understand that it’s going to take time. I am truly enjoying the process of watching a vision being fulfilled. It gets difficult when I shift my focus to how verses trusting why I started the journey. To overcome challenges it is important to remember that building anything successful takes time, persistence, and a commitment to your cause. Surround yourself with a supportive network, seek advice from experienced individuals, and remain adaptable in the face of challenges.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sure, here is a possible itinerary for a week-long trip to Arlington, Texas with my bestie:

Day 1

Morning: Visit the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
Afternoon: Take a walk around the River Legacy Parks.
Evening: Have dinner at Hurtado’s Barbecue.

Day 2

Morning: Visit the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Afternoon: Take a tour of the Six Flags Over Texas theme park.
Evening: See a show at the Arlington Music Hall.

Day 3

Morning: Visit the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
Afternoon: Go bowling at Bowlero Arlington.
Evening: Have dinner at The Social House.

Day 4

Morning: Visit the Arlington Museum of Art.
Afternoon: Go shopping at the Parks Mall at Arlington.
Evening: See a movie at the AMC Dine-In Arlington Highlands 18.

Day 5

Morning: Visit the Frontiers of Flight Museum.
Afternoon: Go for a hike at the River Legacy Parks.
Evening: Have dinner at The Ranch at Firewheel.

Day 6

Morning: Visit the University of Texas at Arlington.
Afternoon: Go to a concert at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts.
Evening: Have dinner at The French Room.

Day 7

Morning: Visit the Fort Worth Zoo. This zoo is home to over 7,000 animals from around the world.
Afternoon: Have lunch at The Palm. This restaurant offers a fine dining experience with American cuisine.
Evening: See a show at the Bass Performance Hall. This venue hosts a variety of concerts, ballets, and operas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to the passionate athletes that help found Underdogs Athletics. EJ, Chris, Nick, Max, DaRian, Tay, Sam, Colby, Kobe, Cam ,Carson, Vance, Nate, Grayson, Preston, Abisayo, Caleb, Jordan, Ethan, Ben and so many others. I could rattle off names all day but I am truly grateful for their dedication to a coach named Coach Key. Their passion for basketball is a remarkable story of inspiration and how the birth of Underdogs Athletics unfolded. I have always believed in the power of sports to transform lives. I noticed a group of talented athletes who were exceptionally passionate about their sport but lacked the resources and financial support to fully pursue their dreams. These athletes faced numerous obstacles, including limited access to training facilities, expensive equipment, and the inability to afford specialized coaching or participate in competitive leagues.
Moved by their determination and recognizing their potential, I decided to take action. I journaled my ideas and created a vision to help athletes in this scenario. The vision to create a non-profit organization that would help kids in their community access funding and training for various sports not just my first love basketball.
I named the organization Underdogs Athletics and embarked on a journey to make a difference in the lives of aspiring young athletes.

Website: https://www.weunderdogs.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_r_underdogs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Underdogs-Athletics/100074948315900/

Image Credits
Kiara Wingfield Kiara Wingfield Kiara Wingfield Kiara Wingfield Kiara Wingfield