More Than a Coach: The Quiet Legacy of Robert N. Hoskins, Jr. | The Open Booth Ep. 5 🎙️

What if your high school coach did more than teach you how to run faster or play harder—but helped shape your character, guided your faith, and even made you pancakes?

In Episode 5 of The Open Booth, we sit down with Robert N. Hoskins, Jr., a man whose legacy reaches far beyond the track or classroom. From 1977 to 1993, Coach Hoskins wore many hats at Tucker High School—coach, teacher, mentor, and friend. But as you’ll see in this moving conversation, his most powerful title might just be servant-leader.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube

🏫 Coaching That Transformed Lives, Not Just Scores

Hoskins coached five sports (yes, five!) while teaching subjects from health to driver’s ed. But what made his impact lasting was how he used sports as a vessel for life lessons. More than 2,000 students passed through his classes and teams—each one leaving with more than just athletic improvement. They left with purpose, encouragement, and a deeper sense of identity.

🌍 Honoring Every Individual Created in the Image of God

At a time when Tucker High School hosted students from 37 different countries, Coach Hoskins made it his mission to honor every individual as someone created in the image of God. He built relationships that crossed cultural and language barriers—not out of obligation, but out of genuine love and respect. His teams and classrooms were living examples of what it means to truly see people.

🛐 Faith in Action, Not Just Words

Hoskins' journey with Young Life marked a spiritual deepening that shaped how he mentored others. For 20 years, he led Bible studies, shared meals, and offered guidance to students seeking more than just academic success. His life became a living testimony—faith expressed through friendship and action.

🍳 Pancakes, Patience, and Purpose

From feeding his cross-country team chocolate chip pancakes to welcoming foster students into his home, Coach Hoskins’ hospitality was legendary. He gave without fanfare. He served without seeking attention. His story reminds us that small acts of kindness often leave the deepest impact.

⛪ A New Chapter: From Classroom to Pulpit

Eventually, he traded chalkboards for the pulpit, pastoring churches for 26 years and even mastering Biblical Greek to better understand scripture. Whether he was teaching, coaching, or preaching, his mission stayed the same: to serve humbly and love deeply.

🏃 Stories That Stick

From hilarious on-field mishaps to emotional moments of inclusion—like helping a JV player with Down syndrome score a basket—Hoskins' stories are filled with grace, humor, and humanity. His cross-country team of 54 boys from all over the world? That’s not just a sports stat—that’s a snapshot of unity.

🍽️ Still Serving Today

Even in retirement, Coach Hoskins is still making an impact. Now in North Carolina, he’s active in a local church and helps lead a food ministry that feeds 50 people weekly. His life remains rooted in one philosophy: serve with humility and joy.

💬 Your Turn: Be Part of the Story

Know someone whose story should be heard? Someone who’s made a quiet, powerful impact in their community? We want to feature them on The Open Booth.

📩 Nominate a guest by reaching out directly—or drop a comment on the episode!

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