Elias: Best reward is athletes’ achievement

Two-time NMASA Coach of the Year awardee Elias Rangamar believes the best reward coaches get are not big and elegant trophies, rather it is the sense of satisfaction they get from the achievements made by their athletes.

“There are too many coaches out there who are very deserving of such awards and don’t get recognized. I don’t have ‘coach of year award’ as one of my goals when I set my goals for a certain year and I believe it’s the same as all the other coaches on island. The best award is seeing a sense of achievement and satisfaction from the youths and athletes you coach. You set goals for your programs and athletes,” said Rangamar, who was named 2008 NMASA Coach of the Year during the NMASA Annual Awards Banquet late last month.

Rangamar added that his philosophy in coaching is based on Dr. Hiam Ginott’s famous quotes.

“I have come to a frightening realization…I am the decisive element on the track or on the field. It is my personal approach that creates the climate for learning and personal performance. It is my daily mood that makes the weather bright or dreary. As a coach, I possess tremendous power to make my athletes lives miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate, humor, hurt, or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether the experience of the sport is positive or negative and whether my athletes gain or loose self esteem,” Rangamar quoted Ginott, a child psychologist and author.

Rangamar was honored during the NMASA Sports Banquet for his work with the CNMI Athletics Team that competed in the 2008 Oceania Area Championships here and the CNMI Women’s Junior Nationals, who played in the 2008 Oceania Youth Tournament in Guam.

“The accomplishment with athletics this year was exceptional, as proven by all records set and broken by our athletes. To get 16 medals was just phenomenal, as we had to go up against powerhouse teams in the region. In the past, we were lucky to get a medal,” said Rangamar.

“When I started taking athletes to meets, nobody mingled with our athletes or even recognized we were there other than our Micronesian neighbors. So I made a promise back then that I would change that and would one day bring a high level competition to Saipan, for our people to see. It was a long and tedious work, but we succeed in gaining support from the Oceania Athletics Association,” he added.

Rangamar said bringing the Oceania Championships in the CNMI would not be possible without the help of Northern Marianas Athletics officials and volunteers.

“With the hard work of several individuals, like Dr. Kurt Barnes, Robin Sapong, Rep. Tebuteb, the local organizing members and volunteers, we were able to put a lasting impression on our off-island competitors and visitors. Compliments like ‘this is the best ever championships’ is like icing on the cake after all the things we had to go through. To see our athletes mingle, share laughs with other athletes, and be recognized as one of the up-and-coming programs in the region is a major accomplishment,” Rangamar said.

Rangamar also thanked his NMA, Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands, and Division of Sports and Recreation family, and his own family for helping him survived a challenging season.

“It was a challenge, but again, it wouldn’t be possible without the understanding of my boss [director Joe Lizama], NMA officers, BANMI officers, athletes, and most importantly my family. This circle of support knew my commitment and passion in what I do and managing my time between each endeavor required their support also. It was a two-way street,” Rangamar said.