When siblings Riley and Maddox talk about Coach Ali, they light up.
“She’s really fun to be with,” says Riley. “She brings up the mood,” adds Maddox. “She jokes around with everybody.”
The two have each played multiple sports with Coach Ali at the Mel Korum Family YMCA. And like many kids in the youth sports program, they keep coming back season after season. Not just for the sports, but for Coach Ali.
One Coach, Every Season
Ali never planned to become one of the Y’s most in-demand coaches. It all started when her son asked if she’d coach his flag football team.
“He wanted to play and said, ‘Mom, will you coach?’” she says. “So, I said sure. I thought it’d be fun for a season.”
But once she got started, she didn’t want to stop. Three years later, she’s coaching nearly every sport, nearly every season. Her basketball, flag football, and cheerleading teams fill up fast, and it’s easy to see why. Kids have fun, families feel welcome, and everyone wants to come back. Many families follow her from sport to sport, signing up just to stay on her team.
“I love the variety,” she says. “Each sport brings out something different in the kids, and in me. It keeps things fresh, and honestly, it’s a great workout too.”
More Than the Score
At every practice and game, Ali emphasizes three core values: play hard, have fun, and work together.
“Yeah, we glance at the score. Who doesn’t?” she says. “But that’s not what it’s about. We’re here to grow.”
That mindset is part of what keeps families coming back. Marvin, a longtime Y parent, has had multiple kids play for Coach Ali. “She’s super energetic and really involved,” he says. “We’ve had other coaches who were kind of quiet, maybe even distracted. Not Ali. She’s all hands-on, always present.”
Confidence, Community, and Connection
Ali helps kids build skills and confidence while creating lasting connections. Marvin says his children have made lasting friendships through the Y. “They don’t go to the same schools, but they remember each other from the team. That sense of community really matters.”
Ali takes pride in helping kids feel comfortable and confident, especially those who may be shy or new to sports.
“Every kid is different, and I like figuring out what makes them tick. I try to get to know each one and see what helps them connect.”
She also encourages parents to get involved. “When parents jump in during practice, it lights something up in their kids,” she says.
The Need for More Coaches Like Ali
Coach Ali is one of many who make youth sports at the Y possible. And while she brings something special to every team, she’s the first to say she can’t do it alone.
“When parents get involved, it means so much,” she says. “The kids notice. They really do.”
For Ali, coaching is more than just showing up for games and practices. It’s about building a community where kids feel seen and supported, and where families can grow closer through shared experiences.
“This is my family,” she says. “These kids are my kids. And their parents, we’re all in it together.”
There is always room for more adults to step in and be a part of that experience. Sometimes all it takes is being willing to listen, to connect, and to show up.