NewsPositively Hampton RoadsNews 3 Everyday Hero

Actions

People Taking Action: Dad, husband, full-time employee, but still finds time to coach multiple teams!

Posted at 6:52 PM, Jan 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-19 19:07:13-05

He's a dad, husband, works full time at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and still finds time to coach on multiple teams.

I showed up at one of the practices of Coach Kenneth Banks II to surprise him.

I spotted him on the court surrounded by a bunch of 6, 7 and 8-year-olds with one girl hanging off his back.

I spoke with one team member, 7-year-old Rome Eggleston, who was quite emphatic why she likes Coach Banks.

"He's....he's like an ordinary coach only better!"

Banks is a volunteer coach in Suffolk's Department of Parks and Recreation. He's a dad, husband and has a full-time job. He stays busy because in addition to coaching the 6 to 8-year-olds, he's coaching another basketball team, plus an in-door soccer team. Then in the spring, he coaches an outdoor soccer team.

Wait there's more! Over the summer, he heads up a football team. Christopher Eggleston's daughter plays basketball for Coach Banks.

"We've had Coach Banks for a couple different sports now and he's a fantastic coach and a great man as well," says Eggleston.

When I finally approached him and introduced myself, I told him it was an email from  a fellow coach who nominated him and that's why we wanted to present him with a People Taking Action award and a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.

Banks wasn't sure what to think. It was all a little overwhelming.

" Um...but... but I...uh I'm speechless right now, but thank you, thank you for coming to see me. I do everything for the kids," says Banks.

So how does he juggle it all---work, family time and coaching multiple teams?

"Prayer, lots of prayer and loving wife," says Banks.

His wife, Lauren-Marie Banks gives him the credit.

"He takes care of his family and the kids he coaches and everything. He has a huge heart," says Lauren-Marie.

Coach Banks stresses it's important to take action.

"It all starts with us man, the adults. You know the kids, this is our future and whether it's teaching them great leadership skills or some of them may grow up to be athletes who knows someone did it for me growing up, so I don't mind doing it for our youth."