One of the values of organized sports, says Coach Andre Moxie, is that they teach people to work together as a team and to function as part of a greater whole than the individual player. For this reason, Andre Moxie encourages parents to involve their children in organized sports. Andre Moxie’s sport of choice is soccer.

Andre Moxie notes that soccer is an increasingly popular sport in America amongst young children. For some inexplicable reason, continues Andre Moxie, interest in soccer seems to wane later in life, displaced perhaps by baseball and football. Kids’ sports are a great way to give children the socialization, cooperation and exercise that will benefit them all of their lives, according to Andre Moxie.

However, Andre Moxie also cautions parents not to become excessively enthusiastic about their kids’ sporting endeavors. Andre Moxie explains that children’s sports can often dominate a parent’s life, causing a confusion of priorities. Andre Moxie adds that it is natural for parents to want to see their children excel and succeed. But it is just as important, says Andre Moxie, to keep those desires in perspective.

Andre Moxie reports that several studies have been done to examine the sometimes-tenuous relationships between parents, coaches and children on the field. Andre Moxie has also observed several common mistakes that well-meaning soccer parents would do well to avoid. Andre Moxie has seen several parents inadvertently project their personal aspirations onto their children.

Andre Moxie also explains that many coaches have reported parents who are negative – even pushy – and who have become a source of embarrassment for the child, the team, and for the other parents. Children on a team, says Andre Moxie, are all meant to be held accountable to the same expectations, without preferential treatment. One of the social values of team sports, concludes Andre Moxie, is that they should give children a chance to perform among their peers, not their parents.

About the Author

Andre Moxie entered the world the same year that the Beatles let it be known that they wanted to hold your hand. Born in Ithaca, New York in 1964, Andre Moxie was raised as an independent thinker during a time of great civil unrest. Andre Moxie completed his primary education and then entered the University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware in 1983 where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Following graduation, Andre Moxie relocated to Yuba City, California and entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant.

From 1988 until 1991 Andre Moxie served his country as a Personnel Officer in command of 25 military Personnel and 30 civilian volunteers. Andre Moxie was stationed at Beale Air Force Base in California, 15th Air Force, Strategic Air Command. While stationed at Beale AFB, Andre Moxie enrolled at Golden Gate University in 1988 where he earned a MS degree in Human Resources Management. In 1991 Andre Moxie completed his service commitment and received the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

Turning the corner and heading toward a professional carrier in the private sector, Andre Moxie was recruited in 1991 by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. The company hired Andre Moxie as a sales representative for the pharmaceutical giant to cover the Orlando, Florida territory. In 1995 Andre Moxie left Pfizer for Merck & Co. and was a representative in the Hollywood, Florida territory in the Florida Region.

In 1996, Andre Moxie was promoted to Headquarters for Merck and Company’s. Initially serving as a Field Communications Coordinator for VASOTEC, Andre Moxie acted as a field communication specialist responsible for all field sales communications for Merck’s cardiovascular products. Again advancing in 1997, Andre Moxie accepted the position of Product Trainer HT/HF Market Integration Team Same Sales Trainer at Merck and Co. In that position Andre Moxie was responsible for training representatives about Merck’s cardiovascular products.

In January 1999, Andre Moxie was appointed as Business Manager for the Miami District for Merck and Company. Continuing through the ranks of management, Andre Moxie found himself serving as Acting Senior Director Field of Implementation Team for Hospital and Specialty in 2005. Andre Moxie was entrusted to support and coordinate among sales management, marketing, and direct reports to achieve brand success for all Hospital and Vertical products. Filling yet another management need Andre Moxie accepted an appointment within Merck and Company in 1996 to the position of Senior Director of Training Planning and Brand. In this position, Andre Moxie collaborated with sales and marketing units within the company to fully develop one year and three year training plans, with emphasis on high-quality, value-added programs and resources that affected appropriate behavioral objectives.

Beginning in 2006 and continuing into 2008 Andre Moxie filled the position of Senior Director of Neurology Sales at Merck and Co. for the Southern United States. Andre Moxie was again advanced late in 2008 to the position of Director of Commercial Operations for the Mid South Joint Venture Sales force, Merck and Co.

From January 2010 to the present Andre Moxie has served as the Director of Commercial Operations for the New South Region, Merck and Co. Andre Moxie currently resides in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area.