Mentoring young men

If you coach to improve the lives of young men, this is a story for you.

Oregon wide receivers coach Scott Frost works as hard as any of us. Ask the other coaches on the staff. Frost is there early and stays late. He's young, single, loves football, coaching and improving the lives of young men. The guy doesn't have much time in season for any hobbies.

However, Frost says he credits his college coach, Tom Osborne, with instilling in him the importance of mentoring young men. Frost spoke this off-season at a community event that featured Tony Dungy speaking on the same topic.

Frost said that men that are accomplished, are disciplined and that don't have problems have a common trait...having a strong father in their home. Kids that have problems did not have dads...or had weak dads that weren't involved. These kids need mentors.

Frost went on to explain that when he came to Oregon he got involved with a Big Brother type organization that set him up as a mentor to a foster child. They got along great and Frost saw the importance that he played in the young man's life.

In his opinion, Frost didn't have nearly the time that he would have liked to devote to the young man; but he certainly saw the positive impact that he was making on him. When the foster situation the young man was in imploded the state asked Frost to take the young man in. As Frost put it, "I had all sorts of excuses why I didn't want to do that. I'm single. I'm living in a place by myself. I work 14 hour days...and I've never cooked a meal other than macaroni and cheese."

The young man ended up living elsewhere for a few months...and then that fell through. Again, the state asked Frost to take him in. This time Frost agreed, "I need to stop making excuses and live up to this. I took him in...I've been a foster parent since December, and it's the best thing I've ever done." Frost added, "Don't make the mistake of doing nothing because you can only do a little. I'm not there for Chris as often as I'd like to. But because I'm there for Chris, I've seen changes. Not only that, it's been one of the best things I've ever done for me....My point is: Stop making excuses why you shouldn't."

The whole thing is a great piece by Rachel Bachman of the Oregonian.