Montrell Besley, who coaches kids on and off the court, watches a group of 7- to 9-year-olds during their basketball practice at Brainerd Recreation center. Besley is receiving a Jefferson Award.ABOUT THE AWARDSThe Jefferson Awards that recognize volunteerism have been presented on the local and national levels since 1972. Each year a national winner is selected in four categories: Elected or public officials, private citizens, people benefiting the disadvantaged and individuals 35 or younger. The final winner of Chattanooga’s Jefferson Awards will attend the national awards program in Washington, D.C., in spring 2012.TO NOMINATEVisit www.timesfreepress.com or www.WRCBTV.com to fill out an online nomination form.
In the middle of the Little League basketball championship last year, the 6-year-olds on the Southside Hawks were crying.
The game was close, and parents were hollering, recalled Takeisha Yancey, a player’s mom.
Then coach Montrell Besley pulled his team aside. He told the group, “It’s OK if you win or you lose. You’re just here to have fun.”
The kids calmed down, wiped the tears from their faces and ended up winning by two points.