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Diego Aviles has tried to inject some Scouting values as a “soccer dad” and help erase the “pit bull” image of soccer parents praised by Sarah Palin as he coaches the two teams his sons play on. It doesn”™t really put a positive light on the canine breed, and “No, I don”™t like to think of our soccer moms as ”˜pit bulls with lipstick,”™” said Aviles. “I hope they are there for the fun and to cheer their kids on.”
Aviles, a former banker, joined the Boy Scouts of America in 1994, working in Boy Scouting”™s Manhattan offices. Apartment living in Queens was cramped for his growing family, and the Aviles longed for a house of their own. They chose a town in Rockland County they considered affordable: Haverstraw. “No sooner did we unpack than we learned our taxes would be more than doubling,” said Aviles. Mirant”™s corporate reassessment left the North Rockland school district in financial crisis. Not only did Aviles have to adjust to tax sticker shock, but to the four hours he would spend each day commuting back and forth to work in Manhattan.
When the Boy Scouts”™ Hudson Valley chapter had a position opening up, Aviles jumped at the chance for the transfer. “It was a wonderful opportunity for me and my family. The long commute was taking a toll all of us. I missed breakfast and dinner. My wife was doing everything on her own.” Now that he”™s working in Salisbury Mills, Aviles says being able to sit down at mealtime, help with homework and to volunteer in his community has made all the difference in his family”™s quality of life.
“When you are spending one-fifth of your day getting back and forth to work, there is no time for anyone or anything. By the time the weekend comes around, you don”™t even want to get in your car. The opportunity to transfer to a job closer to home has had a positive impact on me and my family. You can”™t put a price tag on that. You also find yourself putting a lot more into your job because you know there will be some time for your own interests at the end of the day,” said Aviles. “I”™m definitely living a more balanced life.”
Aviles is an avid soccer fan who played and coached in high school, so getting his two sons involved came naturally and also offered a way to keep his kids involved in something positive. And there”™s a benefit to their coaches, too: “It helps me keep in shape by running around with them,” said Aviles.
The Sharks and Dragons play on the Nardi Soccer Fields in Haverstraw from Labor Day through the end of November. Will either team win the championship this season? “We don”™t know yet,” said Aviles. “We just know we are having a great time.”
“It”™s tough on a family when parents are spending so much time going back and forth to work,” said Aviles. “Seeing more jobs come to the Hudson Valley that will allow people to stay closer to home and contribute to their communities would be a definite plus for all of us. With so many people needing two incomes to make ends meet, we”™re always looking for people to help out. I”™m glad I have the time to give now.” Aviles also is a Boy Scout troop leader and devotes time to his community parish: “Things I never had time for when I was a commuter.”
His Boy Scout work has crept into his coaching technique. “I see some parents and coaches on other teams screaming at kids when they don”™t kick the ball the right way or if they lose a game,” said Aviles. “The idea is for kids, no matter what their age group, to have fun and learn the value of team spirit in sports. It”™s great to be competitive and have a winning attitude, but when winning becomes everything and attitudes get aggressive and belittling, it”™s not a good message. I try to help my teams realize a sport is about working together, not just winning. It”™s nice to win, but it”™s better to have team spirit and support each other.”
Aviles, who was recently promoted to chief operating officer for the Hudson Valley chapter, says the Boy Scouts”™ 2009 motto is, “No child left inside.” With so many kids glued to instant messenger, X-box 360”™s and texting, Aviles hopes parents will encourage children to get out and become more active. “Kids really don”™t spend enough time outdoors, and we are seeing a major rise in childhood obesity because of it. Sports are a great way to get kids up and moving ”¦ and getting parents off the sofa, too.”
