BU PT student wins Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana award
Shannon Siders
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: Entertainment
By Shannon Siders
Len Coughlin, a Bellarmine student working on his doctorate in physical therapy, was recently awarded with the Big Brother of the Year award by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana.
"When I was a freshman at U of L, I was involved with the Baptist Student Union there and one day [Big Brothers Big Sisters] had a table set up at a meeting, so I started out with the school-based program," said Coughlin on his involvement.
As a freshman, Coughlin began visiting a seventh grader named Diaz at the boy's school.
When Diaz became a freshman at Central High School, the pair's relationship became even stronger. Coughlin said, "It went from me not really knowing a lot about his family to being completely comfortable being around his brothers, mom, and his mom's boyfriend, and he met my parents. I wanted to be friends and invest time in him and get to know him. I thought he was special."
Diaz, who is now the number one hurdler in the state of Kentucky for high school track, has come a long way since Coughlin has came in to his life. Coughlin helps coach track at Central which allows him to spend more time with Diaz. Diaz is currently preparing to graduate from Central, and is being looked at by several Division I schools for football and track.
"They put you through a really rigorous matching process. They really do match you with people you're going to get along with. They ask you questions about kids backgrounds that they can take into consideration when matching you," said Coughlin.
The Big Brother of the Year award is the top honor that recognizes volunteers from the Kentuckiana branch.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is always in need of new volunteers to help make the program a success. Stories like that of Coughlin and Diaz provide hope to thousands of youth in need of role models throughout Jefferson County.
"There is a huge need for more men to be involved in [Big Brothers Big Sisters]. There are a ton of boys in JCPS that sign up for Big Brothers that cant get them because there aren't enough men," said Coughlin.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest youth mentoring program in the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana serves more than 1400 children each year. For more information on this wonderful organization, visit www.bbbsky.org.
If you are interested in becoming a Big to a child in need, you can visit www.BigsWanted.com for more information on this life-changing opportunity.
Len Coughlin, a Bellarmine student working on his doctorate in physical therapy, was recently awarded with the Big Brother of the Year award by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana.
"When I was a freshman at U of L, I was involved with the Baptist Student Union there and one day [Big Brothers Big Sisters] had a table set up at a meeting, so I started out with the school-based program," said Coughlin on his involvement.
As a freshman, Coughlin began visiting a seventh grader named Diaz at the boy's school.
When Diaz became a freshman at Central High School, the pair's relationship became even stronger. Coughlin said, "It went from me not really knowing a lot about his family to being completely comfortable being around his brothers, mom, and his mom's boyfriend, and he met my parents. I wanted to be friends and invest time in him and get to know him. I thought he was special."
Diaz, who is now the number one hurdler in the state of Kentucky for high school track, has come a long way since Coughlin has came in to his life. Coughlin helps coach track at Central which allows him to spend more time with Diaz. Diaz is currently preparing to graduate from Central, and is being looked at by several Division I schools for football and track.
"They put you through a really rigorous matching process. They really do match you with people you're going to get along with. They ask you questions about kids backgrounds that they can take into consideration when matching you," said Coughlin.
The Big Brother of the Year award is the top honor that recognizes volunteers from the Kentuckiana branch.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is always in need of new volunteers to help make the program a success. Stories like that of Coughlin and Diaz provide hope to thousands of youth in need of role models throughout Jefferson County.
"There is a huge need for more men to be involved in [Big Brothers Big Sisters]. There are a ton of boys in JCPS that sign up for Big Brothers that cant get them because there aren't enough men," said Coughlin.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest youth mentoring program in the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana serves more than 1400 children each year. For more information on this wonderful organization, visit www.bbbsky.org.
If you are interested in becoming a Big to a child in need, you can visit www.BigsWanted.com for more information on this life-changing opportunity.
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