Coaching our JCA’s Flag Football League is among Walt Quinn’s favorite things to do. Not just because Walt coached his twins, John and Colin, in our league but because of the values and extraordinary community Walt and his wife Sarah found at the JCA.
“I strongly believe parents who are involved in the lives of their children raise healthier, more successful human beings. That’s what we discovered in the JCA community, wonderful people who are raising their kids with great values,” Walt Quinn says finding the JCA and a place where their children could play a sport together was a blessing.
“When the boys started playing sports, we had a hard time finding a league that would allow both John and Colin to play together,” says Walt. “Colin has down syndrome, he is high functioning but other leagues in town wouldn’t allow him to play. The JCA said, ‘we will take him,’ and there was no questions because the JCA makes room for everyone.”
Now 16 years old, John and Colin Quinn are well known throughout the Flag Football League by their peers and coaches alike. According to our Recreation Assistant Director Alex Minardi, John is one of our most talented players on the field and his brother Colin follows and learns from his every move.
“Colin is the competitive one, and the voice Colin hears on the field is his brother John. Where John goes, Colin goes. Colin snaps, John throws. If John gets his flag pulled, Colin is going to pull that opposing player’s flag, regardless of whether they are on offense or defense,” Alex describes John and Colin as Maccabees and says watching the Quinn boys’ dedication to the sport and perseverance on the field is inspiring.
“As a coach, there is nothing better than seeing children develop or improve skill levels under your guidance. Flag football is one of the best sports where children can learn other non-skill lessons, like lessons in kindness and love,” explains Walt. “Typically, you don’t see that in other leagues. It is how it is at the JCA and that is how it should be everywhere.”
“We are so fortunate to be able to accept children with disabilities into our programs,” explains Alex. “While our JCA is a blessing to the Quinn family, it is also the other way around. Each time we show up for a game or practice, and get to see Colin, John and Coach Walt, our day gets a little brighter.”
The Maccabees were the Jewish rebel warriors and heroes of the Chanukkah story. Maccabee means “hammer” and now serves as a symbol of physical might, spiritual strength, and mental resilience in the face of adversity. If you know a Maccabee in our community, of any age, email me at [email protected] to nominate them as Maccabee of the Month at the JCA.
