james thomson

Husband, Father of 3, Trep, Fundraising/Sports Marketing. Founder-NFP Brands. Board of Governor-Walter Camp FB Foundation & Proud Youth Sports Coach

[james thomson @JThomson99]

One of the biggest reasons people do not change is the potential response from those around them. Any change we make impacts more than us. If you’re considering making big changes, be prepared!

[ECC Athletics @GoECCAthletics]

The Spring Week 6 #eccaow poll is now live! Go to 👉🏻 https://t.co/FXBxlSS6YG to vote now. ⏰ Voting closes Fri. 5/22 at 12 PM. Thanks to our sponsor @BWWings of Waterford @NFP_CTEast #eccaow

[ECC Athletics @GoECCAthletics]

The votes have been tallied! The Spring Week 1 winners are: 🥎 Jayden Durand @KHS_Athletics1 Softball & 🥍Joseph Wronowski @GrotonFitch Lacrosse. Thanks to all the fans who voted & to our sponsor @BWWings of Waterford @NFP_CTEast #eccnation

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

Transactional vs. Transformational Coaching…

Dan Hurley shared a story about asking Geno Auriemma for advice after a rough start last season. Geno didn’t mince words:

“Listen, if the only gratification and the only part of coaching that excites you is winning the national championship, then you’ve lost your way, buddy! Where’s the joy in the things that you’ve always been about as a coach before you went on the championship run, like relationships with your players, like helping people get better, like making your team the best it can be. Be a coach, man. This is when you really need to be a leader. This team isn’t as good as last year’s, so what the hell are you going to do about it? Are you going home? Are you going to let this thing unravel?”

That’s the tension every coach feels:
Transactional vs. Transformational.

Transactional coaching is outcome-obsessed. It’s about the wins, the losses, the trophies. The problem? When results don’t come, your purpose crumbles with them.

Transformational coaching is different. It’s about people. It’s about growth. It’s about building something that lasts, whether the scoreboard agrees with you or not.

And this is why mentorship matters so much in coaching.

Left on our own, it’s easy to drift into a transactional mode without even realizing it.

A trusted mentor can pull us back to center and remind us why we started coaching in the first place.

To build relationships.
To develop players as people.
To make teams the best they can be.

Wins matter. But they’re not the why.

The why is impact.
The why is growth.
The why is leaving your players better than you found them.

The process is the prize. Stay grounded. Stay on the path.

Always remember your why.

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

Congratulations to New Canaan for winning this years Walter Camp Joseph W. Kelly Award for the number one team in Connecticut!

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

Congratulations to New Canaan Head Coach Lou Marinelli on winning Walter Camp Connecticut High School Coach of the Year!

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

Congratulations to Windsor QB AJ Robinson for taking home Walter Camp Connecticut High School Player of the Year!

[james thomson @JThomson99]

The @NFP_CTEast Team will continue to make our rounds to make sure the @WalterCampFF Breakfast of Champions is a massive success! We can’t wait to celebrate the very best of #cthsfb

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

Took a trip down the Merritt to visit @NewCanaanFB ! The Rams will be busy being honored as the 2025 @WalterCampFF Kelly Award Winners, along w COY Finalist, POY Finalist & All CT Team honors at the 18th Annual Breakfast of Champions on March 14th @MoheganSun @CelebrateCoach

[james thomson @JThomson99]

It was a true honor to speak to so many former players, coaches and friends of Coach Spoony! We can’t wait to share their stories!

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

Took a trip down Route 8 to visit Wildcat Country! We can’t wait to celebrate our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Paul Sponheimer at the 18th Annual @WalterCampFF Breakfast of Champions on March 14th! A true legacy of excellence! @SeymourFootball @CelebrateCoach

[ECC Athletics @GoECCAthletics]

🔥The votes have been tallied!📷Our Winter Week 9 #eccaow winners are: Kaylee Saucier @WAAthletics
BasketballBasketball🏀 & Lucas Judd - Lyman Memorial Wresting 🤼‍♂️ Thanks to all the fans who voted & to our sponsor @BWWings of Waterford🍗 @NFP_CTEast #eccnation

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

Congrats to this week's Basketball #highimpact🏀Josh Charlot (ND-Prep) & Maddie LeDuc (Wolcott). 👊🏻Thanks to all the fans who voted & to our sponsor @BWWings🍗 @WHSeaglesCT @ndprephoops

[John Pierson @JPPierson]

He played in two Super Bowls, one with the @Patriots another with the @Seahawks. Former Plainville #cthsfb star Niko Koutouvides now makes his living wearing another helmet, but still has a soft spot for both @NFL franchises #SuperBowlXL #SkalaConstruction @WTNH

[ECC Athletics @GoECCAthletics]

🔥The votes have been tallied
⭐️Our Week 7 #eccaow winners are:
🏀Jaida Green - Windham Basketball
🤼Noah Caisse @ledyardsports Wrestling
👊🏻Thanks to all the fans who voted & to our sponsor @BWWings of Waterford 🍗 @NFP_CTEast #eccnation

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

Congrats to this week's High Impact Players of the Week!
🏀Nick Kyrytschenko @SHSWildcatsCT
🏀Danielle Wheeler @CoventryCTPats
🙌🏻Thanks to all the fans who voted & to our sponsor @BWWings @Seymour_Hoops #highimpactpow

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

Our #highimpactpow 🏀 poll for Week 6 is now live!
👉🏻Go to https://t.co/TluxP6w47j to vote now
⏰Voting closes Fri. 2/6 at 8 AM
👊🏻Thanks to our sponsor @BWWings 🍗

[John Pierson @JPPierson]

Isabella Jubrey of Windsor is headed to #SuperBowlLX as a finalist for the @NFL Latino Youth Honors Award. @Erikd25 caught up with the rising #flagfootball star @WTNH

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Dick Vermeil said, "The number one concept is to make sure people know you care."

"If you want to win over a person, first you have to win over their heart."

Great leaders know that you coach people, not players.

They take the time to care, connect, and influence.

[ECC Athletics @GoECCAthletics]

🔥The #eccaow Winter Week 7 poll is now live🔥
👉🏻Go to https://t.co/FXBxlSS6YG to vote now
⏰Voting closes Fri. 2/6 at 8 am
🙌🏻Thanks to our sponsor @BWWings of Waterford🍗 @NFP_CTEast #eccnation

[james thomson @JThomson99]

Can’t wait to celebrate Coach Sponheimer at this year’s Breakfast of Champions! A true champion with a lifelong legacy of commitment and excellence! @CelebrateCoach

[NFP Sports - CT East @NFP_CTEast]

We are happy to share the 2025 Walter Camp Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Paul Sponheimer. We look forward to celebrating his legacy with his former players, coaches & members of the Seymour & CT HS FB community on 3/14! Book your tickets today: https://t.co/zPRsfRMKqx