Message to Frogs: Act With Respect Always!
Photo provided by the City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach Rich Johns, a former Saratoga Springs teacher and tennis coach for nearly four decades, shared his “Act With Respect Always” message with an audience of more than 150 people as part of the winter Intro to Hoops program for K and 1st graders at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center last month.
A record-setting 80 kids (known as “Frogs” in the program) registered this year. Coach Johns’ message to the Frogs emphasized kindness and empathy while introducing his “What’s your 99” concept. At the end of Johns’ presentation, the Frogs serenaded him with their chant: “We are the frogs, the mighty mighty frogs, ribbit!”
The hoops program, under the leadership of Head Coach Ron Lewis, now in his 13th year, has grown from 25 participants 10 years ago to now occupying the entire Recreation Center. The program’s focus is on fun and fundamentals.