I, Matthew Swanson, am asking for your help, via this petition, to try and make a change for myself and my family. I want to be a basketball coach, but right now my own past and poor decisions are getting in my way. Recently I've decided, after seeing an opening to be my son's volunteer 5th grade basketball coach, to try and pursue a dream I've always had, namely coaching basketball and even more specifically coaching my 10 year old son Mateo. Hoping to take advantage of this opportunity I paid the money to take the tests and received my coaching certification, however I learned last week that due to a felony drug conviction in 2010 my application was denied by the board. I understand and respect their decision as I would have done nothing different however i ask for the opportunity, with the help of your support, to explain myself to the board and help us all understand that people, myself no exception, are capable of great change. 

In 2010 I was convicted in a federal court of distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. I was sentenced to a federal prison where i spent 29 months thinking on my poor choices. While i was in there i wanted to make the most of my time so i took up teaching in their education department where i helped about 45 different inmates acquire their ged's. I also learned a second language, taught myself to play guitar of which i still do today, graduated from a 9 month 500 hour drug rehabilitation program, and played, coached, and refed competitive basketball, but most importantly i vowed to myself and my family to be a better man upon release. 12 years later I haven't let anyone down and i won't. I'm simply not the same person i once was. If I could steal a page from Shawshank Redemption "I'd like to grab that young man and shake some sense into him, but this old man is all that's left" and while I'm not trying to be glib or contrite it is nonetheless true. I look back and I can't even understand what my failed thought process was. I spent many hours thinking upon my bad decisions and trying to figure why i ever thought to have chosen such a road and while i come up with some answers none of them justify my actions. I only want to be a better person here and now. I only hope to be received and accepted by my community, forgiven by my peers for my behaviors all those years ago, and hopefully with some grace and understanding, given a second chance by the board to pursue my dream of coaching basketball. I truly want to do nothing more. I love both the game of basketball and teaching others with such a passion that it only makes sense to me to not let this dream die so easily.

Currently I am employed by Tyson Foods where I've been for the last 12 years. I hold the position of warehousing supervisor. I am in charge of a group no less than 15, and no more than 20 in the overnight hours. I show up everyday (or night) and I am dependable and trustworthy and my progress into management has shown that my employer feels the same.

Along the way since post conviction I have coached both of my daughters t- ball and soccer teams as well as my son's baseball, soccer, and basketball teams through the park districts and rec centers. I am currently coaching my son's 5th grade soccer on Wednesday nights for the 4th year running and I've enjoyed every minute of it, trying the best I can to build confidence in the youth and pick up those who need help up.

Please if you could find it in your heart if you know me to sign this petition and give me a second chance here. Maybe i coached your kid already or maybe we met somewhere else along the way or maybe you just believe in second chances please sign this petition so that I can bring it before the board on 10/21 to make my case to be the 5th grade boys volunteer basketball coach. Thank you for your time and friendship. 

Sincerely

    Matthew Swanson