River Cities All Star coach and co-gym owner, Adam Stafford, may spend his nights in the gym and his weekends at competitions, but during the day, you can find him in the U.S. Postal Office!


Tell us about your day job:
My day starts very early. I wake up at 3:30 every morning and get to work about 5:15AM. I am a Sales, Services, and Distribution clerk. I sort mail and packages going to the carriers for street delivery and sell stamps and other Postal services over the counter.

Tell us about where you coach and what:
I am a co-owner/coach at River Cities All Stars in Hurricane, WV. I believe we all have something to offer each team, so I do try to help each team as much as possible.

How did you get into coaching:
I started learning how to spot tumbling when I was just 12. I began teaching classes and spotting Fulls very young. I knew it was what I wanted to do with my life. I didn't start coaching cheerleading until I moved to West Virginia. Hank Light, the founder of River Cities, recruited me to come here and be a coach when I was still in college. A lot of my coaching style was learned from him. My first year I was a coach of the Mini team, and we won UCA Nationals. It was one of the best days of my life. I knew I was where I belonged and knew I would always be coaching cheerleading.

Tell us about transitioning from your day job to coaching? How are they different?
My day job and coaching are similar in a way, but quite different. Sometimes they are both very repetitive, and sometimes it can be a little hectic. Customer service is a must at both. Because I have such odd hours at the Post Office, there are days that I don't make it to any practices or tumbling classes. I try to be present in the gym every hour possible. I am very thankful for my staff, and glad that I have coaches and tumbling instructors that can keep things going when I am not able to be there.

What do your co-workers think about your cheerleading job?
They try to get me to do back flips all the time. I tell them I am retired. I have a great relationship with my co-workers, supervisor, and Post Master. Although, they may not always understand when I come in to work talking about stunt or tumbling issues, they are very willing to listen, and even ask questions.

How can you apply what you do in your day job to your coaching job and vice-versa?
I always try to provide the upmost customer service to both my customers at the Post Office and the customers and athletes at the gym. I have learned how to deal with fast paced situations, especially during the Holiday Season. Cheerleading is also a fast-paced sport, and at times, you have to be able to make quick decisions. I have become a lot more patient since working for the Post Office. This has transferred into my coaching style.

DAY VS. NIGHT

What do you wear to work?
DAY: Postal Uniform- Navy Pants & Postal shirt
NIGHT: Depends on my schedule. Sometimes I go to the gym straight from work, and will still be in uniform. The days I am not working- I try to enjoy the comfort of gym clothes or casual wear.

What kind of people do you work with at each job?
DAY: Mostly adults
NIGHT: Children

What your goals are at each job?
DAY: To represent the Postal Service in the best way possible by providing the best customer service possible.
NIGHT: To make a positive impact on every child that comes through the doors.

What do you primarily do at each job?
DAY: Sort packages and letters for the carriers to deliver and sell other Postal Services and stamps to customers.
NIGHT: I have stepped into a new role at the gym, being a co-owner.

What is the most rewarding part of each job?
DAY: I love meeting so many people from all different walks of life.
NIGHT: The excitement and joy from the kids, is the best feeling in the world- knowing that I helped push them to do their best.

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