Sam Zagaar talks about Sam's Soccer Jam on "Make It Happen With David Lorms"

HOUSTON - Oct. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Recently Sam Zagaar of Sam’s Soccer Jam appeared on the internet radio show, Make It Happen with David Lorms. Born in the US, Zagaar moved to his parents’ homeland of Libya at 6 months. In 1983 Zagaar’s father, Minister of Oil in Libya, realized his country was going through changes he didn’t like and wanted to move his family out before they were in danger. “Libya needed to find a source of pure water. One was found under the dessert sand but they needed the expertise to pump it out” he explains. Zagaar’s father hooked up with Brown and Root and the family safely moved to Houston. Lorms asked him if he was aware of political happenings in Libya at the time. “No, I was interested in friends and soccer, like most teenagers. But now I understand that if my father had resigned from his position as Minister, it would have appeared to be an insult to Kaddafi. Our family would have been facing sure danger.”

This is where Zagaar began his lifelong journey of hard work and persistent learning. He was just barely a teenager (13) when he was immersed into American public school. The culture was mysteriously strange and the language unintelligible. Being the only Arabic speaker in the school district brought about many problems which became challenges and later opportunities. Zagaar vigilantly studied school lessons and sharpened his English skills, even though only three of his classes were English as a Second Language (ESL.). His parents were most supportive and brought in evening tutors for him. By high school graduation, he had a good verbal command on his second language. “My English conversational skills were excellent, but comprehension of the written word needed help,” he commented. “That’s why I decided to go to Houston Community College (HCC) instead of directly to university.” He received an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering and improved his written English skills by so much that he later received a College Degree in Computer Information Services from University of Houston. Zagaar worked full time while in school. When Lorms asked if he was going to steer his son to college, Zagaar answered, “That will be up to him, but I would prefer he get a bachelor’s degree.” He believes that if a person has great business savvy and a really good idea for a business, they should go for it. But he also feels a “back-up-plan” is important. A degree can be a security blanket and one can work for someone else and make good money as well as learn business from a successful business owner.

Lorms continued by asking him if he brought any sage wisdom to the US from Libya. Zagaar said that his dad told him, “Time is like a sword. If you don’t handle it properly, it will cut you.” He further explains, “We have a limited time in this life and we should take advantage of all that comes to us. We should become a part of our community, give of ourselves to others, contribute to our community and leave a legacy behind us. It is only through hard work that we will accomplish your dreams.”

Then Lorms asks, “So tell me, Sam, where did Sam’s Soccer Jam come from?” Zagaar tells Lorms that everything in his childhood was soccer, from playing in the streets to watching The World Cup on TV. “It was embedded in my culture and I want to get Houston kids loving it as much as we did.” He continues to explain that tests have shown that if children have fun playing soccer, they will play it their whole life. “Soccer goes beyond what competition offers. It teaches teamwork, fair play and promotes physical fitness,” he concludes. Zaggar tells Lorms that when his son was 3, he took him to play soccer at the YMCA . The Coach there was a “yeller and screamer” and that’s not what he wanted for his son, or anyone else’s child either. But how do you get a 3 year old to listen and have fun with this ball? That’s when Zagaar started his preparation by reading books about child behavior.

Lorms agreed and added that research also shows that team sports help kids develop social skills while they enjoy this exciting and fun game! “Your program is great because it is formed on improvement and having a good time.” Zagaar commented that instead of yelling and screaming at kids, he and his coaches say, “’Hey, who wants to win this game?’ That’s how you get their attention! Then we give them tips on how to play better.”

“There are so many health benefits in soccer. It adds to a child’s flexibility, endurance and strength. It helps focus and listen, and this goes especially for children with Attention Deficit Disorders especially. It’s easy to learn, the rules are straight forward and it builds self-confidence and teaches the spirit of cooperation. Success relies on skill and creativity rather than strength or stature as it is in football” adds Zagaar. Lorms smilingly adds, “And besides, they’re 3 years old! They are not going to know if they are any good or not!”

“What differentiates Sam’s Soccer Jam from other soccer programs?” asks Lorms. Zagaar tells him that “besides the no yelling or negative reinforcement, we don’t use volunteer coaches. Kids will be instructed only by actual coaches who have played the game or have coached in the past. Our age groups are 3 years old, 4 and 5 year olds and 6, 7 and 8 year olds.”

Zagaar and Sam’s Soccer Jam also believes in community involvement. He’s looking forward to having a free soccer clinic at this year’s Oaks Biz Association Fall Festival. It will be October 25^th in Oak Forest Park from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Alongside his clinic will be a dunking booth, “bouncey house,” food trucks and a hayride for the kids. “I have enjoyed my membership in the Association. I have gained insight and references from fellow business people and am grateful for the fellowship.” He has also donated to the Manna Fund Raiser to be held at their festival on November 1.

Make It Happen With David Lorms is all about entrepreneurs, business owners, and successful people, their challenges and failures turned into success, and advice for people to better their lives and careers. The show runs live every Wednesday at noon on www.kbrzsports.com. Past episodes are available by pod cast at http://www.spreaker.com/user/7420120, on Lorms’s web site http://www.lormsinsuranceservices.com and on iHeartRadio.

David Lorms, an Award Winning Insurance Expert, Best-Selling Author and President Of Lorms Insurance Services is a Farmers Insurance Agent in Houston, TX. He has won numerous media awards, including the Quilly and the EXPY Awards for his shared industry knowledge. He has been interviewed on “The Brian Tracy TV Show”, as seen on NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX, and appeared in USA TODAY and Forbes Magazine. He also appeared on the "Rollett Report" Radio Program and "Money for Lunch" radio programs.