Volunteer Dixon Coach Teaches Championship Skills, Humility

Children learn so much from team sports—beginning with teamwork, leadership and self-esteem.

One group of Dixon kids hit the jackpot with their coach—Mellisa Houston-Dockins. She imparts all of the important aspects of coaching, and then goes further.

This year she coached two Dixon Youth Basketball teams—one boys and one girls. She led her boys team to the championship. She thought they could do more, so she found a league in Sacramento and recruited her kids. The new team, made up of Dixon boys, one girl and three kids from Sacramento, won that championship. They amassed a stunning 596 points while allowing just 160 during their perfect season.

But don’t expect swelled heads. Parent Marisol Portugal says Coach Mellisa has taught the kids to remain humble as they soar to new heights.  

Playing in a Sacramento league with kids from two communities involved tricky logistics. According to Marisol, “she would give rides to all the kids going to Sacramento once a week for practices. And also holding an additional practice in Dixon. And she makes practice fun for the team. They absolutely love her as well as us parents.”

Marisol says that she’s amazed by Mellisa’s dedication to the kids and “knows the importance of keeping kids involved in sports.”

The young athletes have formed tight friendships—one mom recently organized a paintball outing for them.

Mellisa has a background in basketball—she played briefly for Solano before her knees gave out. But while her knees failed her, her love for the game never faltered. She told parents in an email recently, “I could not be more proud of my kiddos…They are amazing little athletes and cannot wait to watch them all grow into big athletes at school.”

Mellisa is a busy Mom who also works for a construction company. In spite of her crammed schedule, she makes time to mentor the next generation.

If you’d like to volunteer to coach a Dixon youth team, contact the Dixon Recreation Department.