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Rick Leigh admits that he wasn't always the model child when he was growing up in Bellaire.
He also remembers, quite well, that he had a strong desire to become more active in different sports, but simply didn't have the means or feasibility to do much more beyond what was offered through the school district.
Leigh is now trying to do his part to help kids avoid trouble, maintain their academics and provide a physical outlet for kids, who wish to receive training beyond their normal practices or conditioning.
Now in its second year, RL Strength and Conditioning -- Lions Only is currently working with 42 youngsters from school districts such as Bellaire, Bridgeport, Martins Ferry, Shadyside, Wheeling Park and John Marshall twice a week at Nelson Jordan Center in Wheeling.
"Kids have been able to use this (program) as a tool to better themselves for sports, at school, or just to give them something to do," Leigh said. "
The program, which is held on Wednesday afternoons at 5 and on Saturday mornings at 10, is totally free and requires just a waiver of consent to be signed in case of injury.
"It's really grown through word-of-mouth," Leigh said. "We started with three and we've outgrown both Nelson Field and the Martins Ferry Recreation Center."
The training last two hours and focuses on strength and conditioning and even delves into boxing.
"I wanted to be able to provide a help to kids who needed it and wanted it, but didn't have the financial means," Leigh said. "We're helping kids to be better trained and ready for their sports and helping kids to get stronger and faster."
RL Strength and Conditioning -- Lions Only actually started with three boys working out at Nelson Field in Bellaire.
One of those was apparently on his way to dropping out of high school, but as he continued with the program, he made tremendous strides, got back in school and graduated.
"That was our first success story," Leigh said.
According to Leigh, the program isn't just for "troubled kids." However, it's having an impact on all kids who have signed up, which is something that Leigh takes great pride in.
"The parents I've spoken with seem to think it's helping the kids," Leigh said. "We've had several really good success stories and hopefully we'll continue to have those."
Leigh is on hand for all of the workouts and has a couple of buddies who help with the different programs, too.
"Sometimes I can't believe it's gotten as big as it has," Leigh said.
To help motivate the kids, who are entered in the program, Leigh has solicited sponsorships from area individuals and businesses. Basically, if an enrollee doesn't miss a workout, maintains his or her grades, the individual gets a sponsor who provides equipment, gear, gift cards, etc.
"The sponsorship program kind of shows the kids that hard work pays off," Leigh said. "To have anything good in life, you have to work hard to receive it."
In 2021, RL Strength and Conditioning -- Lions Only held its inaugural bash, which was a celebration for those kids who had been training for the entire year. Leigh hopes to make that an annual event.
"Local businesses really came up big and backed that event and this entire program," Leigh said. "They've really helped us to be able to take care of the kids."
Leigh isn't content with his climbing enrollment, sponsorships or last year's bash. He hopes to do more with more kids becoming involved. One of his long-term goals is to eventually build his own facility.
"This is my passion," Leigh said. "Being able to show kids the right way and not only helping them to be physically active, but mentoring them is important to me. I feel like I am giving back to my community as well as the entire Ohio Valley."
KUDOS
This past Wednesday, Bellaire's Nelson Field hosted a throwers only meet that attracted the shot putters and discus throwers from six schools.
The meet was the brainchild of Big Reds head coach Shawn Valloric because he wanted to give senior Colt Sechrest - the area's premier discus thrower - another opportunity to compete and a chance to reset the Nelson Field stadium record, which had stood since the Bellaire Relays of 1979.
Sechrest and the Big Reds haven't had the chance to compete in any home meets this season because of the on-going construction at Nelson Field.
However, they were given permission to use the throwing areas and Sechrest made the most of his chance, launching the discus to a mark of 189-2, which broke the old mark of 185-6 and also gave Sechrest a new personal and all-time Ohio Valley record.
Thinking outside the box to give Sechrest a chance to break the record amid the construction deserves to be recognized. High school sports and coaching is about the kids and Valloric as well as the Bellaire Schools administration went above and beyond to find a way for kids to compete. That's what it's all about. Kudos, Shawn!
SETH'S SCOOPS
THE SECOND golf major unfolds this week at Southern Hills Country Club near Tulsa. Can Scottie Scheffler make it two major wins this year? I doubt it, but I think he will be in contention. Give me Brooks Koepka to win another Wanamaker Trophy.
I'M NOT a horse racing guru by any means, but seeing an 80-1 long shot win the Kentucky Derby last week made for tremendous television and drama.
THE OVAC Banquet is Monday evening at WesBanco Arena. Outside of the baseball and softball all-star games, which are planned for next month, this will close the curtains on another highly successful OVAC year.