Lamb stepping down as coach

PACKWOOD - Too often in sports, especially at the lower levels of organized play, too much emphasis is placed on winning.

Playing a game is where the emphasis should be. The dedication, training and discipline that form a base for excelling in sport are even more important in real life.

Coaches who teach more than the game are one of the most valuable resources that schools have.

Pekin High School is losing just such a coach in Juston Lamb.

'Coaches have an opportunity to reach kids through sports that others cannot,” Lamb said. 'Too many times we all worry about losing, but in sports, losing is when you have the opportunity to really learn.”

Lamb has been a staple for the Panthers. He has been the defensive coordinator for a long time. He has been teaching 34 years, and will continue to do so, while coaching Pekin football for 32 years.

'Juston is someone I have had great respect for, as a guy that coached me and as one of my assistants,” Pekin head coach Bud Blakely said. 'He is a class act and is really good at relating to kids.”

Coaching requires a comittment from those who are in the profession and Lamb He wants to spend more time with family, especially since he is becoming a grandfather.

the main reason he has chosen to hang up the coaching whistle is time.

'Coaching requires a lot of time that many people don't see,” Lamb said. 'It is not just the practice and the games, but the preparation and everything that goes into getting ready. While I still enjoy it, I just wanted to free up that time to be with my family.”

After graduating from South Tama County High School where he played football (defensive back and receiver) and basketball, he went to college at Iowa State University, but only played in intramurals.

He does not have one favorite memory of his time playing the game.

'There are so many memories of my friends, at practice, bus rides, etcetera,” Lamb said. 'Just being with a group of friends and working together.”

Those good times are what made him choose to continue to work in that environment.

'I really enjoy being around young people and helping them learn,” Lamb said. 'I teach because I like to see ‘the light bulb come on.'”

The vocational agriculture teacher is greatly appreciated for what he brings to the field and the classroom.

'He's a fantastic teacher in the classroom and that is what makes him a great coach,” Blakely said. 'He is one of the few left that was on Coach Tom Stone's staff and we will miss his presence greatly.”

Leaving the coaching profession may mean leaving the competitive urges behind, which was one of the things that drove him into coaching.

'I think I always liked to compete,” Lamb said. 'Maybe because I have an older brother and that was instilled in me at a young age.”

The Panthers finished just 2-7 this year, but grew in knowledge and ability throughout the season. Every season leaves a specific mark on a coach's heart. some are more memorable than others, but they are all pumping their memory.

'Obviously the 1998 state championship team holds a lot of memories,” Lamb said. 'But there were so many others. From coaches' meetings to scouting games to practices, so many things have happened that sometimes I just sit back and smile.”

Many life lessons can be learned while playing sports, regardless of wins and losses.

'Many kids look at practice like it is time they have to put in just so they can play,” Lamb said. 'I tell kids that every practice one of two things will happen - you will either get better or you will get worse at your job. Go to every practice with getting better on your mind.”