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More Than a Game: Ringor x GA Power Part 3

More Than a Game: Ringor x GA Power Part 3

Feb 7th 2020

Sitting down with Head Coach of GA Power, Jose Tunon, we wanted to know more about the construct of the team. Jose is full of energy and passion. Having two daughters, one of which he has coached to now play at Georgia State University, Jose has coached travel ball for 11 years. As early as last year he took home the Canada Cup with his 18U team. The same girls each went on to play collegiate level softball.

With his youngest daughter following her sister’s footsteps, Jose is back at coaching in his second tour. When asked to talk about his team, the tone went directly to what the game does for his players, not what his players accomplish. The adversity in which his young players face can only be described as inspiring. Both Jose and Eric work tirelessly to push their players to be the best they can be by encouraging them to support one another and grow as a unit.


Jose Tunon

Head Coach, Jose Tunon connects with his athletes on a level further than the game. Jose is no stranger to high level competition. Playing for the Panamanian National Baseball Team and Collegiate Baseball he has domain knowledge of the game; yet Jose engages in the girls' lives beyond technical ability. Each of his players is developed socially, academically and professionally. “It is the beauty of the game it applies to every aspect of life! Shake a college coach's hand in the manner you would a hiring Human Resources representative. Commit to the game and work ethic and life becomes relatable.” Jose’s culture isn’t about managing teams, it's about building them and coaching. Deeply involved in keeping track of today's social media phenomenon is a process he adopts instead of shying away. “If you are going to connect with these young ladies, you need to adapt and evolve. It’s important to constantly be engaged. Creating a culture starts off the field, not on it. There is fun in everything, that is what these young minds need to see.”

Eric Forbes

Assistant Coach Eric Forbes has also played baseball at the collegiate level but understands what it is like to have the game taken away in a single moment. A devastating injury ended his career before it got fully started. Passing appreciation of the game along at every moment possible.

“The talent is beyond extraordinary, but it is the way they use the game to overcome their adversity. From self-confidence to medical related hurdles, they find a lesson in every accomplishment and in every failure. As a father, it's easy to see a child that has a hunger and a trust in their eyes to learn. We cherish that and respect that with the utmost appreciation. They depend on us to guide them to their dream of collegiate softball, and we don't take that lightly. We tell them we are chasing paper, not plastic in reference to an NLI over a trophy!”

Parent Justine Chiang was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. Her daughter Ansley Chiang is a defensive Mozart with the glove found her world in a spiral. Assistant Coach Eric Forbes asked: “What makes Coach José a coach you are proud to have coach your daughter?” Her answer is the definition of the culture they have fabricated for the ladies of GA Power.

“What makes Coach José so special to us? He is authentic. He is firm but not rigid. He is passionate. He thinks about his players as more than athletes and encourages them to play for more than the game. Simply put, he inspires his players on and off the field, in wins and in losses. From encouraging the girls to read articles to leading a team meeting analyzing a Jessica Mendoza podcast, Coach José's impact goes beyond softball. He helps develop outstanding character and imparts lasting life lessons. All this while keeping it fun. If you are near a softball field and hear upbeat music, it is almost certain that it's one of Coach Jose's practices.

This year begins our third year with Coach José. Midway through year two, I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. The night that Coach José learned about my diagnosis, he and his wife were on vacation out of the country. As I would soon learn, it was no matter their whereabouts as I received a text from Coach José that very night offering his family's support. And, that is exactly what they did; his family did not let us face our difficult journey alone. You want to know how you know you have an admirable coach? It is how they make your daughter feel. When your daughter is comforted and confident that she will be supported during your family's most difficult time, you know your daughter is in the right place. Coach José surpasses our expectations as a leader. We are proud to have him as our daughter's coach because we know he believes in and inspires his players beyond the game.”

While there are many adversities, it is the culture and expectation of playing the game the right way that has helped this team come together to form a single unit. Jose and Eric have designed their coaching philosophy to celebrate the small things; one where taking a pitch as a ball is seemingly more exciting than hitting a single, and one where getting behind a pop fly is more exciting than a diving catch. Compounding the right way to play the game echoes in the game’s manifestation of life lessons. In having 16 girls on their team versus the typical 11 or 12, the coaches aim for a constant competitive nature to grow in every aspect of the game. The goal is to teach the girls to compete yet understand a pinch runner can win a championship.

In conclusion, Jose and GA Power have represented an exceptional level of play where you will undoubtedly be seeing these young ladies playing collegiate softball. It is how they achieved their goal that is the story. They are #softballstrong. They are one of many amazing teams proving every day that is so much more than a game.

Please support our passion to raise awareness and educate about teen suicide. Click the link below to get more information about the Ringor Revolution project.

https://ringor.com/revolution/learnmore