Kids Love Longtime Volunteer

Jim Hourigan gets kids and they get him.

The father of four has coached with the Acworth Football and Cheerleading Association for 25 years. He was president for 16, ending his last term a year ago.

When it comes to kids, "you have to get into their world," said the Rev. Marlon Longacre of Northstar church. "He gets into their world and they understand that he cares about them."

Longacre met Hourigan several years ago when the latter was president of the boosters club.

"You hope and pray your kids get around people like Jim Hourigan," Longacre said of his friend.

James Albright, the director, would agree.

"He's always thinking about the kids," said Albright, who Hourigan coached when he was seven.

Last year, Hourigan was even named the Acworth Citizen of the year.

But all this talk about how wonderful he is, makes Hourigan blush, embarrassed.

When you see a kid out in public and he or she runs up to you, Hourigan said, "that's when you know you've left them with something."

And if you've done that, then it's a better feeling "than any recognition I could ever get," Hourigan said recently.

Hourigan, who works for IBM, started coaching foorball with the association when his son, Jimmy, played football.

"I watched him on the sideline and the coach felt like it was better to get me on the sideline with him, instead of hollering at him from behind," Hourigan said.

He and his best friend, Stan Halbrooks, have been coaching together ever since. Hourigan says there's more involved in his coaching approach than just football.

"It's not how many games we win," Hourigan said, "but do we get the sportsmanship award? How many kids come back" again the next year.

"If it was just about football," Hourigan said, "then I don't know if I would have had the longevity I've had."

When he first started there were about 160 kids total in the association. This past season there were about 500. The organization, with kids from five to 12,  has grown tremendously throughout the years for a variety of resons, Longacre said. "But the common denominator is Jim."

Hourigan, who is originally from Kentucky, says little has changed about the game in the Northwest Georgia Football League since he started coaching.

"Kids are kids," he said. "They all want to be recognized for their accomplishments."

Kids are "exposed to more these days," Hourigan said, so a good coach is important.

"You need parents and coaches who care," he said. "Fewer parents have time to be involved. They have so much going on in their lives."

It doesn't matter what sport they play, Hourigan said, but get involved in your kid's experience.

Hourigan is not alone in his family when it comes to coaching with the association. His children have coached football and cheerleading.

"I always know where my family is going to be" come Saturday, Hourigan said.

Do you know Jim Hourigan? Tell us in the comments!