New National Recruiting Ambassador: Eagle Scout and Detroit Lions RB David Montgomery

[RememberSchiff]

Eagle Scout David Montgomery who has played football for  Iowa State, the Chicago Bears, and presently the Detroit Lions, has now has been named our National Recruitment Ambassador.

“David’s never been even tempted to do something wrong,” his mother said. “He watched several of his friends do the wrong things, but David kept himself around positive people.

“Football’s always been his go-to. It was something he’s always been good at. It was about all he ever even thought about until I got him into the Boy Scouts.”

“David’s inspiring story showcases the valuable impact Scouting can have. Because of the skills David learned while part of his local Cincinnati troop (772), he was able to reach the pinnacle of Scouting, and also his athletic career. We appreciate David’s leadership on and off the field and we’re excited to have him share the Scouting story with a new generation of youth.” remarked Scouting  America CEO Roger Krone.

 

“While Scouting took me outdoors and helped me discover a lifelong love for camping and fishing, it also taught me valuable lessons like developing a strategy and executing a plan, as well as how to be accountable for others than myself,” stated Montgomery . “These skills helped me both in Scouting and also taught me how to be a better athlete on the field.”

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Montgomery_(American_football)

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/randy-peterson/2017/08/03/david-montgomery-iowa-state-football-randy-peterson-eagle-scout/536269001/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1087088/2019/07/22/scouts-honor-bears-rookie-rb-david-montgomery-has-left-a-mark-everywhere-hes-played/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/high-school-sports/2024/10/09/david-montgomery-detroit-lions-eagle-scout-ambassador-from-mt-healthy/75593785007/

https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/star-running-back-david-montgomery-encourages-families-and-youth-to-participate-in-scouting-america/

 

Edited October 9, 2024 by RememberSchiff

[RememberSchiff]

 

 

[BetterWithCheddar]

Thanks for sharing. I thought that was a nice piece of marketing material - surprisingly well done for the BSA / SA.

If SA positions itself carefully, there's a good opportunity to add and retain more athletes to our units. Scouting can be a nice counterbalance to the year-round youth sports grind, provided SA and local units maintain flexible programs. At our annual New Scout Information Night, our Pack always mentions "we're OK being your family's second favorite activity" and that has helped lead to some healthy numbers.

When we look for a Troop, I'll probably steer my son to the one that has the best parent support, but a secondary factor will be the SM's philosophy on attendance and advancement. I don't mind if the Scouts who attend all Troop functions advance faster than my son, but I'd still like for there to be a path to Eagle if my son communicates his availability to his SM / SPL and is willing to do extra work when he's not playing basketball.

[skeptic]

If is a positive opportunity if you can get local sports groups to cooperate, rather than block the youth.  We have had experiences both ways over the years.  One young man with serious Scouting potential, but also a strong athlete came to me and told be he was leaving the troop because his coach told him baseball should be his only priority, and he could not play if he missed "any" of the team activities.    On the other hand, we also had a local coach that leaned over backward to work with youth in Scouting to coordinate stuff.  Most of us recognize that both programs, if run well, are good for our youth, and part of life is learning how to balance priorities and find common ground.  It also helps when the parents are not rabid sports crazies that think their kid will be a pro.  Hopefully this will play into a better National image.

[BetterWithCheddar]

There are probably a few "hardo" coaches out there who make it difficult for kids to participate in other activities, but I'd imagine most are willing to make reasonable accommodations. The real issue lies in team sports where roster spots and playing time are scarce. Few coaches would punish a kid for missing a week of training because they took a family vacation or attended Scout Camp, but eventually, it becomes an issue of self-selection. You either demonstrate your commitment to the program or you take your chances. That's the unspoken ultimatum in many school districts.

[InquisitiveScouter]

1 hour ago, BetterWithCheddar said:

You either demonstrate your commitment to the program or you take your chances.

These are the same consequences in any worthwhile endeavor... including Scouting.

There are many who are fine with just showing up to be served, go camping and "have fun".  We have to be fine with that, too... knowing (or having faith, actually) that we are having an influence, however small, on positive lifelong behaviors.

The real question I'd love to see some empirical data on is this:  Which programs have a more positive influence on the lives of our children? Sports or Scouting (or whatever flavors you choose).  If such a thing can be studied...??

Edited May 25 by InquisitiveScouter

[BetterWithCheddar]

5 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

These are the same consequences in any worthwhile endeavor... including Scouting.

Isn't that the truth? I don't see many coaches saying "no" to a week off for Scout Camp. More than likely, they express frustration when requests pile up. For many kids, it's not just a week off for Scout Camp, but also a week off for a different activity and another week off for family vacation.

Despite not being the smartest, or best-looking, or even the most diligent person at my place of employment, I've carved out a pretty decent existence over the last 15 years just by being consistently not stupid. I show up on time, I dress a little nicer than required, I try a little harder than required, and I rarely miss a day of work. Half of life is just showing up. A few coaches might be unnecessarily strict on attendance, but most are trying to convey the same life lessons as we are.