Crazy story! How I started coaching gymnastics in 1991 when I was 20 years old and never a gymnast.
I was in college working part-time as a sandwich artist; if you guessed working at subway you are right, but I prefer sandwich artist since I have no other artistic talents.
It all started when a customer in line started asking me all sorts of questions while I was making his sub.
“Are you a wrestler” he asked, “no” I said, “I’m a boxer”.
He went on, “oh, so do you have good hand/eye coordination”. All I could think was, well obviously or I wouldn’t be a boxer, I only responded, “yes, Now what do you want on your sub.”
He continued badgering me with more questions.
“Do you like gymnastics?”
“Have you ever watched gymnastics?”
“Do you know anyone that does gymnastics?”
“Do you have any interest in gymnastics?”
Me:
“No, No, No, No”, Getting a little annoyed, “What do you want on your sandwich?” Of course instead of answering me, he continued; “Would you like to coach gymnastics?”
Now this absolutely floored me, I asked him “Did you here my answers, I know nothing about gymnastics and have no interest in it.”
Yet he persisted “I will teach you”. I said “No”.
Then he spoke my language, “How much money do you make? Whatever it is I will pay you more?” He gave me his card and told me to show up on Monday.
That Monday was the first day of the rest of my life.
Bart Roskoski
