The “Best of Pampa” voting contest is one time of the year when the citizens of Gray County can vote for their favorite person, place and organization from a wide variety of categories.
To be nominated is an honor itself, but to be voted as the best of the best truly touches the heart, as is the case for Marcelus “Tiny” Williams who was voted Best Coach.
Tiny’s humble beginnings can’t be narrowed down to just one event in his life, but the nickname given to him in childhood that he has carried since is a good place to start.
“When I was a kid, I was really small and I wore corrective shoes. We were watching A Christmas Carol and Tiny Tim was on there and my dad called me Tiny Tim. It just kind of stuck,” he laughed.
Always having a love for football, Tiny wasn’t ever allowed to actually play the sport as his mother feared for his safety. But he wouldn’t let that stop him. He figured out how to attend practice by telling her he had detention every day after school and the rest is history.
During his high school years, Tiny’s love for the sport would grow and he would not only play, but he would assist the coaches as well, gaining experience by some of Pampa High School’s greatest coaches, such as the late Coach Cavalier who saw the potential and passion in Tiny and welcomed, even insisted that he help coach.
Tiny was able to learn from the best and utilize their unique coaching skills in his own way.
“They were all different coaches, but they had that teachable attitude. Coach Porter was loving and teaching all at the same time. Coach Cornelson was old school, he was like, ‘look, you’ve gotta come with it, you’ve gotta be a man, you’ve gotta hit,’ and he didn’t mind putting pressure on you. I learned that at an early age and when I started to coach, I realized I had a knack for it-to be able to coach a kid, get the fire in his heart, love the game and be able to play at a high level.”
“I’ve had great coaches help me through the years, great kids and great parents and that’s the key right there.”
Tiny has coached a number of teams in Pampa over a span of more than 20 years, voluteering and dedicating his time into helping the youth find their confidence and passion through perserverance and discipline. He has taught them that it’s not always about winning, but giving it your all every single time and whether you win or lose, to do so with grace.
The age group that Tiny has focused on coaching is 10 through 13, a crucial and sometimes unpredictable time in a young boy’s development, both mentally and physically. That age between being a preteen and a teenager has given Tiny the opportunity to help shape these boys into respectful and disciplined young men.
“I love that age group because you can be very influential to those kids. They will hang on to every word you say and they will listen to you. I’ve always noticed that when you treat them with respect and love on them, they’ll come out and give 110%.”
Tiny’s coaching style goes far beyond just football, as he also mentors his athletes-in-the-making, teaching them valuable life lessons and often using his own trials and tribulations as inspiration, such as the physical ailment he had as a child.
“When I coach, I try to play every kid because I never know at that age what or who that kid is going to be. I was little and didn’t get to play, but you’ve got to give every kid a chance.”
“I want them to understand that there are certain rules in life. Nothing is given to you-you’ve gotta fight for it and you’ve gotta fight with passion. That’s the way it is.”
With each kid that Tiny coaches, his family grows a bit bigger, remaining a part of their lives no matter how many years have gone by. It’s not uncommon for him to coach the kids of the kids he coached from years back-a true testament to his reputation of being a wonderful coach and mentor, as well as a great man.
“I am blessed and honored. I’m just so humbled to know somebody out there nominated you and the community said thank you.”
“If you’ve got a passion to do something for kids, do it. Just give back. It’s not always about winning, it’s about the impact you leave on them. Do what you can to make their life easier. It’s a blessing when everyone works together. All I can say is when you love the game, coach it and give back what you can. It’s just that simple.”
