Coach Rudy Charles Jr. wants youngsters to learn from his mistakes

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — What does it take to become an outstanding athlete?
Rudy Charles Jr. knows. And he's returned to the town of his roots to guide young people toward their goals — not just athletic goals, but personal and lifestyle goals too — at East Coast Athletics Complex.
Charles spent most of his younger years playing basketball on various teams, always demonstrating superior skill and gaining recognition from the teams who wanted him. His future looked bright. But then....
“My ego got in the way," said Charles. "I was cocky. I started to realize how good I was and the potential I had and how many colleges wanted me. I felt I should be treated as a pampered athlete."
It was this distracted thinking that hampered his rise to stardom.
“I want to tell young athletes to capitalize on opportunities and don’t make the same mistakes I made," he said. "It’s the reason I coach."
He wants young people to understand that teachers "didn’t do me a favor” by not holding him to the same standards as non-athletes. Teachers “looking the other way” when grading his work hampered his college career, he said.
Through sports, he can help athletes realize that being a good teammate can carry over to being a good worker and a good member of the community.
Young athletes now have the opportunity to work with Charles at East Coast Athletics and learn the lessons he learned the hard way.
“We have so much to offer people here,” said Charles, listing Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball teams for boys and girls, ages 9-17; adult basketball and volleyball leagues; and strength and conditioning and agility training.
By partnering with Goshen Parks and Recreation, he said. East Coast offers before- and after-school programs that include, first, homework, and then fitness opportunities.
Much more is offered, like Mommy and Me, Yoga, Zumba, and Cross Fit.
Dad was Goshen high-scorerAlthough Charles was born in Bridgeport, Conn., he considers Goshen his hometown. He moved to Goshen in 1983 with his parents, Rudy Charles Sr. and Elizabeth Calegro, along with his brother, Timothy. His dad was born and raised in Goshen, and he wanted his kids to benefit from being close to family and the great schools here.
Charles' father was recognized in Goshen for his superior basketball skill, so he had a natural introduction to the sport and good feeling for it.
“Dad still holds the record for high-scorer in basketball and was inducted into the Goshen Hall of Fame in 2015,” Charles said.
As a ninth grader, Charles was already on the Goshen High School Varsity basketball team. When he went onto play for the Kansas City 76ers, rated the number one Nike basketball team in the country, he was recognized for his talent in basketball and invited to participate in top basketball camps in the country. By his senior year, he was playing for the Houston Jaguars, then the number one team in the country.
College proved difficult for Charles because of his lack of learning in lower grades. But after a year at Milford Prep in Connecticut, he did improve his GPA and SAT scores. He went on to attend a college in New Mexico, earning a full scholarship.
In his freshman year, Charles made All Conference and led the team in points, assists and rebounds.
“Not bad for a midget like me,” he quipped. He’s 5 feet, 10 inches tall.
After struggling in his first year of college, Charles quit school and signed with an agent. He made it to the finals in try-outs for playing semi-pro ball. Although he was offered nominal pay and a free apartment, he didn’t take it.
This is when his ego came into play, along with the personal problems it wrought, he said. He stayed in New Mexico for a while before deciding to come back to Goshen.
Becoming a coachOnce back in the area, he worked at jobs that prepared him for coaching and working with young people, like the Dispute Resolution Center; Victim Impact and Service Programs for the Orange County Juvenile Probation Department; the very successful Basketball for Life Program for Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan Counties; coach at Middletown’s Twin Towers Middle School; and coach at Goshen High School for five years, assistant coach at Sullivan Community College, and counselor at Goshen Secure Center.
Said Charles, “I started thinking of myself as a coach. I’m doing something right — seeing some go onto college, get degrees and see them being productive, and knowing I had something to do with it.”
Charles says East Coast is a safe family environment.
“Kids who are dropped off here are in safe hands," he said. "They’re here not to just play sports but to make a better lifestyle — how to be better all around people through sports. We’re doing good things here, using an individualized training and approach from the recreational to the elite athlete.”
East Coast has three courts is looking to put in a fourth. Videotaping is available to help kids get into college; East Coast uses family and friend contacts on NBA and Division I, II, and III college levels. Tutoring and mentoring are available, if needed.
“We’re trying to be the ‘village,’” said Charles.
“We have run camps in New York City, we have contacts here to get kids where they want to get to achieve their goals. Now it’s up the kids and parents to realize the work it takes to get there. We’re here to help achieve goals, athletically and personally.”
East Coast Athletics Complex, specializing in youth basketball and volleyball, ages 5 to 18, is located within the Goshen Sports Complex, 1717 Route 17M, Goshen. Call them at 360-5190.