Robert Freimuth – Coach and Hall of Fame Inductee

Coach and Hall of Fame Inductee Robert Freimuth Speaks to Leadership Council

(speech given by Coach Freimuth on December 14, 2010)

The Robert Fiondella Leadership Council meets three times during the school year, September, December and April.  The goal of the Council is to help the student-athletes improve their leadership skills not only on the playing fields, but in the classroom and in the community.  Besides attending the three conferences the students also participate in the annual United Way Day of Caring.  The speaker at the December 14, 2010 breakfast meeting was Coach Robert Freimuth Varsity Baseball Coach at Plainville High School and winner of 5 state championships.

Coach Freimuth talked about some of the players he has coached who went onto careers in the NFL, major League Baseball and the Secret Service.  The one common thread that all these formers players  had was great leadership skills.  He then went on to give the students what he thought those leadership skills entail.

• Courage-you need to believe in something and have the courage to meet challenges.  Have the courage to do what is right not necessarily what is popular.
• Big Thinkers-Leaders need to see the big picture, have vision, conviction and courage to make a difference.
• Change Masters-Leaders have to be able to get their teammates to move in a direction where everyone benefits.
• Persistence- Captains need to be persistent.  There are three types of dogs, hot dogs, puppy dogs and bull dogs.  Hot dogs are all show and no substance, puppy dogs hide in a corner and whimper, but bull dogs get a hold of something and never let go until the task is completed. Captains need to be bull dogs.
• Risk Takers-You need to be willing to fail in order to succeed.  Indecision and being over cautious will rob you of opportunities and success.
• Positive Attitude-Have faith and never give up show teammates that you appreciate their efforts.
• Decision Makers-you need to be the coach on the field and help execute the coaches game plan.
•  Take Responsibility-set a good example on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
• Sense of Humor-don’t take yourself to serious, loose players perform better
• Be Committed- 110% all the time, maximum effort will lead to success.  The best angel is the TRY-angle

Coach Freimuth’s message was well received by the student-athletes and gave them plenty of food for thought.  The students then engaged in a very lively discussion involving ethical situations in sports.  Each student was presented with a paper weight in appreciation of their participation in the program.  The paper weight is engraved with the mantra for the leadership program since its inception “IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME”.  A new group of future leaders will begin the program in April 2011.