As a coach for over 25 years, Bruce Etheridge knows how to make a statement, and make sure that statement has an impact.
However these days, he's not coaching students in athletics, but rather in life.
"Once you capture a student’s heart, their minds will soon follow," is Etheridge's mantra.
The current San Antonio resident grew up in Temple, and on February 26th he returned to his hometown with a message of overcoming and achieving for students at Wheatley Alternative Education Center and Travis Science Academy.
The coach grabbed the attention of students by speaking to them directly, honestly and not pulling any punches.
Etheridge knows about hard childhoods, and the struggle of growing up in any circumstance.
He was raised by his mother in a single parent home.
Etheridge faced a lot of challenges, but ultimately it was his love for his mother that prevailed in shaping who he became.
"If you can't change for yourself, you can change for someone you love," Etheridge encouraged the students.
The author of the "Overcome" series of books, he uses stories and anecdotes from his childhood and adulthood in Temple to spread his message.
Etheridge emphasized it's never too late to overcome, but students need to "survive the moment."
By surviving the moment, much like Etheridge did, the students can take negatives and turn those into making a positive impact on their Temple community.
It’s a community Etheridge still knows well. He lived in the same places as many of the students he spoke to, and even knows their parents, grandparents or relatives.
That, along with Etheridge’s fondness for his hometown, helps the coach’s message really sink in.
"Temple people are special. You are special."