Lombardi dedicated to his players

Cedar Rapids Washington football coach Tony Lombardi has been nothing but good to the many players I have had through his programs. Who can say they wake up at 4:30 a.m. to be at school at 5:45 a.m. for the benefit of students' early bird program, weight lifting and cardio program? Which goes hand in hand with the students' academic scores. He has set up college visits for students who showed interest, encouraged the youth, found out scholarship information to help the students fulfill their life dreams and goals.

Again what job can go from 5:45 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. on some game nights? He has helped single moms with the purchase of cleats when they could not. This is not a job for a coach. It is a fully dedicated lifestyle.

Let's get both sides to these stories before we make lifelong breaks in connections for our youth.

Mary F. Arenas

Cedar Rapids