For Calvin Spellmon Jr., M.D., basketball is about much more than wins and losses. An assistant professor in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine and former college player for Dillard University, Spellmon recognizes the crucial role sports can play in building determination, confidence, and resilience.
That belief is what led Spellmon to youth coaching, where he spends time mentoring young athletes in the Birmingham community while sharing his lifelong love of the game. What began as a way to connect with his own children quickly became a meaningful way to invest in the next generation. Coaching gives him an opportunity to help young people reach their full potential.
“Wanting to spend time with my kids, wanting to share my love of basketball with them and other children, and wanting kids to see how working hard toward a goal can pay off all led me to coaching,” explained Spellmon, who serves as the Medical Director for the Birmingham City Schools.
Over the years, Spellmon has found some of his greatest rewards not in the final score, but in watching young athletes grow in confidence and discover abilities they never knew they had.
“I love seeing the progress they make from the start of the season to the end,” Spellmon said. “I love when their confidence comes alive, and I love seeing them break down barriers of what they assumed they couldn’t do.”
For Spellmon, the impact of coaching often extends far beyond a single season.
“The greatest joy is having kids come up to me years later, calling me ‘coach,’ giving me a big hug or high five, and thanking me for the time I poured into them,” he said.
Those relationships have created some of his most memorable moments. One came after a season when his son approached him and told him he was the “best dad and coach.” Another involved a shy player who initially showed little interest in participating.
“I had him do a fun defensive drill at practice one day, and he enjoyed it so much,” Spellmon recalled. “It somehow lit a fire in him, and he became one of my best players that season.”
Years later, Spellmon still sees the former player and his father at local gyms.
“He credits me for helping his son fall in love with the game, and he continues to play to this day,” said Spellmon.
As a physician with UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine, Spellmon brings a unique perspective to the court. His understanding of how young athletes develop helps him tailor coaching and training in ways that support both performance and long-term health.
“Knowing how their bodies are developing, ways to prevent injuries in this age group, and understanding what is important for the development of young athletes all help me coach and train these young athletes,” he said.
While many youth sports injuries are difficult to prevent completely, Spellmon emphasizes habits that reduce risk and improve recovery. He frequently sees overuse injuries related to growth and development and encourages athletes to prioritize recovery just as much as competition.
“Making sure kids are getting adequate rest, icing, stretching, and being in the proper shape and condition for all the activities they are doing is key,” Spellmon explained. “Equally important is eating right and getting adequate sleep.”
That message extends to parents as well. Spellmon believes the focus should be on prevention rather than waiting until an injury occurs.
“You cannot skip steps on the road to success,” he said. “Do all the little things to prevent injury: stretching, sleeping, eating right, proper equipment, proper training and conditioning, and one of the most overlooked aspects, proper mindset and mental conditioning.”
For Spellmon, coaching also reflects a broader philosophy about the role physicians play in their communities. He believes healthcare providers should remain connected to the people they serve outside of the clinic walls.
“We need to be connected to the very people we treat and serve,” said Spellmon. “They need to know we care about them not only as patients, but as people we are actively doing life with.”
Whether he is treating athletes in clinics or coaching them on the basketball court, Spellmon shares the same goal: helping young people develop the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to succeed both in sports and in life.