In these uncertain economic times I thought you might want the name of a phenomenally successful investor.
Warren Buffett? Donald Trump?
Nope. He lives right here in Brookfield and his name is Tom Twinem. His balance sheet does not consist of stocks and bonds; it consists of the lives of hundreds of Brookfield residents. For twelve years Tom has managed his portfolio through the same investment bank - the Brookfield Soccer Association. The BSA is a community treasure and it runs on the engine of volunteerism like Tom's.
He started coaching for the BSA twelve years ago when his daughter played youth soccer and he felt a responsibility to contribute. But he continued long after she was finished, continuing to coach because he loves using soccer as a vehicle to invest in the lives of our community's youth. This past Sunday Coach Tom presided over his final game.
Our daughter Lauren played for Tom for three of those twelve years; years that saw him sacrifice thousands of hours and hundreds of weekends. He did this all with only one expectation - that the girls and families who signed up for his team would have a positive experience. He taught his "ladies", as he called them, to enjoy the game, and he made sure each one received an equal amount of playing time. He taught them to respect the efforts of their opponents, and regardless of the outcome his team achieved, consistently demanded and demonstrated good sportsmanship.
Last weekend was bittersweet for us. Tom went out on a high note as his girls handed him the Bob Buss Trophy. But it also marked the end of BSA soccer for Lauren, and of our regular association with Tom and his wonderful teams. But we take with us so many wonderful memories, a few of which are captured below:
The 2005 Pumpkin Tournament, which saw parents bring gloves, hats, hot cocoa and blankets to keep their daughters warm between games. Golden spring days where the sun was warm and the texture of the game was knit into a rich fabric of scent, sight, and sound: a freshly mown emerald field on which the girls worked, sweat flying and muscles straining with their effort. The shrill cry of the whistles as they cut through the unfettered chatter of youth. The "thunk" of spiked shoes striking a leather ball. The inevitable exultation of a winning goal, or the dagger-thrust of a last minute defeat. And the image of Coach Tom walking off the field, practice bag slung over his shoulder as he amicably visited with the players and parents of both teams.
And always, I'll recall his penetrating voice booming across the field like a howitzer, firing his instructions and exhortations. And I'll smile as I think that if ever there was a coach whose bark was worse than his bight, it is surely Coach Tom.
But more than any of this, I'll remember how seriously he took his responsibilities to "coach-up" the girls under his charge, and to teach them as much as he could about soccer and about life. I'll remember the positive example of his maturity and his calm. Tom taught his girls never to hold on to victory or defeat, having understood Rudyard Kipling's warning to "treat those two imposters just the same".
Tom is a walking treasure - one of the "good guys" we encounter in life. When our final sums are tallied, the only value we create comes from the content and fruit of our relationships. By that standard, Tom is a millionaire. I speak for hundreds when I say well done, Tom, and may God's Blessing be upon you and your family. Barb and I hope to meet your wife some day, so we can thank her for the sacrifices SHE made in this partnership of service.
He frequently joked with me that "once Lauren gets into High School she'll forget me as quickly as she closes on the ball".
Well Tom - you couldn't be more wrong.
Lauren will always remember you.
And so will her Mom and Dad.
