Today we’d like to introduce you to Tay Holloway.
Tay, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got started as a kid playing sports around my neighborhood with other kids. I also watched my dad play basketball with his friends at the park and I tried to do all the moves saw them do off to the side on the playground monkey bars. I used the monkey bars as my basket and would draw a free throw line in the sand. As I grew up, my love sports gree and I would debate my dad and his friends on sports past and present. I grew confident when I would school them in sports talk that I started debating my friends and strangers. I felt since I was getting the best of some old guys who could touch me at my own age, lol!
I played football until high school but I played basketball my entire life until I was 28. I played in high school. College and a small stint overseas. I always knew I wanted to crack into coaching. I got my chance when I was scrolling Facebook and I saw one of my friends was taking applications for female coaches to join his indoor football team staff. I took a chance and applied. I did a phone interview and a in person interview. I waited a few days until I got the call and I was hired as the new capital city reapers special teams coach. This was an exciting time for me because I figured they would say no then it would be just another person I would have to prove wrong.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road for me. I have not been picked in basketball games because of my gender or if I was picked it was only because they were short a guy and needed someone but as soon as a guy came to the court they immediately picked him up and off to the side I would go. It was hurtful because I knew u could play better than most of them. They didn’t even pass me the ball. It was ok it made me mentally strong and I used that to keep my emotions in check. It hardens me and also let me know that people will not see your talents at first until you prove it. I did prove it by playing a lot of the guys 1 vs. 1. When I won the disgrace and looks on their face were priceless. Revenge is the best dish served cold. In the sports debating world, it was not easy at first. Also of the guys would not pay attention to my comments. I would purposely say something out their respective teams just to get the conversation sparked. I knew I could win because I’m confident in my knowledge of the game. When they found out, I was actually taking facts either the guy would throw sexist remarks, homophobic remarks or just downright tell me to die. That’s just a hand full of people but the good guys who can waive the white flag were nice and we talk sports til this day. To women getting started, don’t give up please stand your ground and believe in yourself. Study your craft and by all means please don’t quit when it gets hard. On the coaching side, you have to stand your ground and be able to know when to laugh and joke but also when to put the guys in their place. Demand respect and give it as well. When you have that in your corner the players will play hard for you which will make you look excellent.
what should we know about Dream Holloway LLC? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a business owner and I’m also the owner of sports elite. We debate various sports topics from the past and the present in a clean, fun and comedic way. I am known for my hilarious count of my friend Brandon “BOOK IT” guarantee of game winners. It’s become popular that people will really get mad at him for picking their respective teams because they know its a high chance their team will lose because the ” BRANDON CURSE”is real!! His current tally is 7-38-1. That tie came from the GGG vs. Canelo fight. I told him it was going to end in a tie because match number two needed something to bring the viewers back. He said no GGG is gonna win. welp… tie, lol! The thing that sets me apart from others is that I know more than just my favorite sports teams and I’m not afraid to be critical of the teams I love. I also have my own style where I can make jokes about the sports to keep the listener engaged and eager to hear more. I also reply back to all comments even the negatives ones. People have learned that I can be very petty and don’t mind throwing shade your way in a funny but respectful way.
In coaching, I am set apart from others because of preparation for the game and my attention to detail. I re the smalls little patterns of a player that can give my team the advantage or extort a player’s mental weakness to get them off their game. Film study and knowing your playbook. Get creative done be afraid to draw up your own plays to put players in different looks to gain the advantage.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
My childhood played a huge factor in my life. It’s where my love for sports al started. My dad does not debate me anymore at all. Neither does my uncles, aunts and some friends. They all know I’m too advanced for their level. I also credit my years of playing basketball and football for giving me that 3rd eye to see the game a different way then just a couch coach. That has definitely set me up for better styles of debate and can come from a player perspective.
Pricing:
- Sports elite t-shirts $21
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Contact Info:
- Website: www.facebook.com/groups/sportselite/
- Email: soortseliteshow@gmail.com
- Instagram: Sportselite
- Twitter: Sports elite
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