Lakeville Coach Teaches Lessons That Extend Beyond the Football Field

Patch and When the Game Stands Tall are asking about the coaches, teachers or mentors who inspired you.

Jim Skelly’s mentor was a football coach who taught him lessons that extended beyond the football field.

Mentor Name: Brian Vossen

Known Mentor for: 9 years

School: Lakeville North High School Football Coach

Town: Lakeville

State: Minnesota

What mentor taught about success: “Finding a way to win at everything we do” is the motto of Lakeville North Football and a value instilled by head coach Brian Vossen. As a graduate of Lakeville High School and a college football standout, Vossen knows what it take to achieve greatness. But he also knows that that is not enough to make a difference in the world. Vossen is a coach and a mentor to hundreds of youth each year, planting a work ethic and a set of values that will serve them well in whatever path they take in life.

What mentor taugh t about dealing with failure: When it comes to failure, Coach Vossen sees that as part of the process of reaching true potential. He stresses that if a person gives all they have to prepare and gives it their best shot, the outcome will always be a win, no matter the final score of the game. That said, he also works to bring all players and coaches together as one to reach their true potential and win games.

Best advice from mentor: Try to find a way to WIN at EVERTHING you do.