Rec Department Starts Fresh: A Q&A with New Sports Coordinator Lew McAllister

The Takoma Park Recreation Department has welcomed a new member to their full-time staff this month with the addition of Sports Coordinator Lew McAllister.

Although the department is housed in a fantastic facility, they have not been completely satisfied with their participation numbers for athletic programs. With McAllister now on board, the department hopes to see that trend quickly reverse itself.

Takoma Park Patch: What is the job description of the sports coordinator?

Lew McAllister: I am in charge of anything sports-related. I come up with programs and clinics for the kids. I teach, put together and coordinate the leagues. I also go out into the community and meet people to try to get them to come to the community center and participate. 

Patch: Tell us a bit about your background.

McAllister: I was the sports coordinator with Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning in Prince George's county. I did everything sports-related there. I came here to Takoma Park because it is a smaller scale. I feel like I can be more hands-on with the kids, be more in tune, and have the opportunity to wear more hats.

Patch: What are your goals for the department?

McAllister: My main objective is to bring as many kids surrounding this area into this community center as possible. I want to be able to have at least 20 up-and-running programs with a great amount of participants. I want to be able to at least double the amount of kids and participation that we have in our programs. I also want everybody to know who I am and let them know that we have a real sports guy now, and I am that guy. 

Patch: Will you bring adult sports leagues to Takoma Park?

McCallister: Of course the primary objective is the kids. Once we get that settled I want to be able to bring in the adult leagues — softball, baseball, kickball. I definitely want to incorporate all areas—youth, kids, seniors—I don't want to leave any stone unturned.  

Patch: You have worked for the department for a week now. What are your impressions?

McAllister: I love it. The biggest thing is the atmosphere and the staff right now. Being a new employee, they've embraced me and made me felt like I've been here for years. I hit the ground running from day one and I loved it.

Patch: There is a lot of demographic diversity in Takoma Park. Do you envision a scenario in which you can get kids to interact and work together who may not otherwise be doing that?

McAllister: The biggest struggle that people have had is bridging the gap. I think I will be able to cultivate both of the groups because I'm experienced in that. I don't think it will be a difficult situation. I think it's just going to be a timely situation. It's definitely something I'm looking forward to because that will add the numbers to our programs that we're missing.

Patch: Why would you encourage people to participate in your programs?

McAllister: It's fun. The biggest thing for kids, youth, adults, anybody, is that they want to be able to come out and have fun. You get off of work or come home from school and you want to be able to relax, relate and release. That's one of the biggest things that all of my programs are going to provide—an outlet for that.

To keep up with local sports, visit www.twitter.com/patchsportsmd.