Huntsville Living Difference Makers Edition 2022 | Page 13

Jason Elliott

As the Head Coach of Adaptive Physical Education for HISD , Jason Elliott works with students who have disabilities on every campus in Huntsville . He coaches football , track and powerlifting at the high school , and serves as the Delegation Coach for Special Olympics . He is also the Head Coach for the UIL Unified Basketball Team ( UBT ), which incorporates students of all ability levels .
Elliott grew up in the suburbs of Watauga , Texas , just north of Ft . Worth . After 55 years , his parents James and Velda still live in the same house where he grew up . His father was the biggest influence on his formative years and commitment to family was the most important lesson Elliott learned growing up .
“ My Dad was very loyal to his job , and to us . I watched him get up at 4:30 a . m . every morning for work , and he didn ’ t get home until well after we did . That ’ s where I got my work ethic from . Everything my parents did revolved around our family . I don ’ t ever remember him missing one of my games or school events ,” said Elliott .
The people who made the biggest impact on his professional life were Coach “ V ” and his basketball coach Randy Blevins , both from Haltom High School . They set an example that he deeply admired . Elliott attended SHSU , graduating in 1995 .
He knew when he was in college that he wasn ’ t likely to make it as a professional athlete , be he did know he wanted to be a coach .
The moment that led to his career happened in 1994 when his neighbor at Cowboy Country knocked on his door and told him that Mance Park Middle School was hiring a basketball coach . Just a few days before he had prayed about which direction to take , and now he is in his 29th season as a coach in Huntsville . He believes that each of us have a God given talent and that we are meant to use it to serve others .
The event that has shaped his life the most is fatherhood . He says that when he first saw his son , it was as if he was looking into the face of God .
All he learned from his parents has carried on through his children . They are both nearing the completion of their studies
at SHSU . His son Jayce will graduate in
track and power lifting which lasts until
May of 2023 to pursue coaching and his
5 p . m . in the spring . During football season
daughter Jalyn is a junior in the pre-med
, his work days can easily extend to
program .
14 hours . He breaks that up into different
A typical workday for Elliott begins
parts mentally so it seems less daunting .
at 4:30 a . m . with his studies . He arrives
“ I don ’ t look at it as a 14 hour day . I take
at the field house by 6:30 and meets with
it in sections , and I love what I do , so it
the Varsity football team at 7 , working on
goes by in a flash ,” said Elliott . “ Life is like
conditioning and lifting during the off-season
sports . You ’ ll have highs and lows . You
, and more stringent training in the fall .
overcome the lows to get to the highs ,” said
From 10 a . m . to 2 p . m . he does one on one
Elliott .
sessions with students in the Adaptive
Elliott ’ s wife Tami loves sports , so their
Physical Education program .
typical date night involves watching football
These sessions include assistance from
or volleyball somewhere in the area .
students from the SHSU Kinesiology
He enjoys sitting back and watching a
Department , providing them with valuable
game purely as a fan .
experience for their future careers .
Elliott also likes to cook and do woodworking
One unique role he serves is coaching
in his home shop , which helps
the Unified Basketball Team . The team
ease his mind when life gets stressful .
combines his Adaptive program students
He says the only thing he would change
with other HISD athletes , using UIL ’ s is not furthering his education in his
standard rules and regulations .
younger years . He wishes he had pursued
The UBT brought home the State
his Master ’ s because he would like to teach
Championship in their first competition
college when his coaching days come to an
last year . The game was televised and the
end .
team members received gold medals from
If he could live anywhere , Elliott says
UIL , but the Huntsville community went
he would consider Montana , because he
the extra mile to get them championship
loves to hunt and fish . As long as he has
rings .
his family nearby , and is still able to work
“ The entire experience was amazing . I
with kids in some capacity , a cabin in the
was floored by the generosity of the individuals
middle of a few hundred acres might be the
and businesses who did that for the
only scenario that would persuade him to
kids . That made the event even more special
leave Huntsville .
,” said Elliott .
“ Clearly God had a reason for keeping
Wearing this many hats requires stamina
me here . The Huntsville community has
, patience , and a positive mindset . After
been incredible in their support , and I am
lunch and administrative duties , he prepares
grateful for that ,” said Elliott .
for after school practice coaching
- Written by Kristie Stevens
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | DECEMBER 2022 | 13