Danny Lee
Danny Lee, Basketball, Cross Country & Flag Footbal Coach at CSI High School for International Studies has won Positive Coaching Alliance’s coveted Double-Goal Coach Award presented by TeamSnap for his positive impact on youth athletes.
Lee is one of 50 national recipients of the Double-Goal Coach award, named for coaches who strive to win while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports. The award includes a $200 prize, a certificate, and mention within the websites and newsletters of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a national non-profit developing Better Athletes, Better People through youth and high school sports. All 50 winners are provided two tickets to PCA’s National Youth Sports Awards Dinner and Benefit Sponsored by Deloitte to be held at Maples Pavilion on Stanford University’s Campus April 28th, 2018 to receive recognition of their award.
“Lee helps athletes win in and out of sports,” said Darrell Johnson, PCA-New York City Chapter Executive Director. By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience and serving as a Double-Goal Coach, Danny helps youth develop into better athletes and better people.”
Lee approaches coaching his athletes with a concept that applies to life in general - don’t focus on the negatives or uncontrollables as this will never improve your performance or well-being. During practice he wants his athletes to focus on sharpening skills to improve technique and performance while allowing mistakes as part of the learning process. With a motto of “Let’s Move Forward”, his players have the confidence to give their all and not fear mistakes.
Lee believes good coaching is a skill and a talent, but it must be delivered from the heart.
The amount and depth of heart that Lee pours into his programs is evident in his interactions with his student-athletes and in the personal sacrifices he makes to ensure the programs are a success. “One of the reasons I put my heart and soul into is because each member on that team deserves me to give every bit of my energy to them on a given day. I have a motto- effort, energy enthusiasm and execution and I put execution last because that is what usually wins or loses games but at the end of the day, without effort energy enthusiasm you can never reach the point to execute”, Lee said.
As is common in many New York City schools, facilities and equipment are hard to come by. Lee spear-headed raising funds or contributed his own funds, and had help from many parents to get uniforms and equipment for his teams. They don’t have a track or a football field and often share facilities or use city parks for practices. The obstacles he must overcome to provide opportunities for his players certainly require a lot of heart. “Being a part of a team and the sacrifices you have to make as a part of a team, and as a leader on a team is invaluable. It's life lessons you can't find in any other walk of life. It’s something that makes sports so special.” If you work hard and have a positive mindset...win or lose you’re going to get something from the experience”, he said.