BALTIMORE, Md. — Towson University Head Football Coach Rob Ambrose, like usual, is trying to find the positive in a tough situation.
"It’s been a challenge because it’s different. But that’s what we do, athletes do, they take challenges and find a way to win," he said. "So, that’s basically what we’re doing, just trying to find a way to win."
His Towson Tigers are supposed to be in the middle of spring practice. Instead coronavirus concerns have closed campus. His players are finding creative ways to stay in shape while staying at home.
"I got guys bench pressing couches, sleeper sofas," he said. "Deadlift curl sleeper sofas."
Ambrose is finding creative ways to do his part for his Towson community.
Each morning he posts a message on social media offering to run errands for neighbors who don’t want to leave their homes.
Reposting daily. Please share. Trying to reach those in need. https://t.co/bi0J9YioDf
— Rob Ambrose (@Coach_Ambrose) March 24, 2020
"You’re in a community. You’re supposed to help. This is the time for this type of thing," said Ambrose. "If I keep saying I can be there for these people then maybe in some small way they feel like it’s not hopeless, like they’re not stuck, like there are people out there that care."
Nobody has taken him up on the offer just yet. That’s fine with Ambrose. He hopes others are inspired to help and pay it forward, take care of each other and keep one another healthy.
"Our normal got shattered and it’s how well we’re going to adapt to the moment. For once we’re all going to do something for all of us. It doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter what’s your color, what your religious preference is, what your political preference is. We need to do this together," he said.
His usual message to his players applies in these unprecedented times and will again eventually when life returns to some sort of normalcy.
"This is going to end. This is all going to end. Where do we want to be when this is over? And when you go back and look at yourself you want to evaluate. What kind of person was I in the middle of this? Did I do this right? You have got to be able to say yes to two things when you’re dead: Did I leave it better than I found it and did I make a difference? This would kind of fall underneath that umbrella. People need. So, this is what you should do."
Rob Ambrose - always coaching and helping.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
