--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I grew up in the Boys & Girls Club…" description: "\"I grew up in the Boys & Girls Club. That's where I really started playing all sports, and that's why I'm a big advocate for the work they do.\" — Frank ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/frank-thomas-22178_advocate_i-grew-up-in-the-boys-girls-club-that-s_259370.jpg" --- # I grew up in the Boys & Girls Club. That's where I really… ![“I grew up in the Boys & Girls Club. That's where I really started playing all sports, and that's why I'm a big advocate for the work they do.” quote by Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/frank-thomas-22178_advocate_i-grew-up-in-the-boys-girls-club-that-s_259370.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/frank-thomas-22178_advocate_i-grew-up-in-the-boys-girls-club-that-s_259370.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/frank-thomas-22178_advocate_i-grew-up-in-the-boys-girls-club-that-s_259370.jpg) > “I grew up in the Boys & Girls Club. That's where I really started playing all sports, and that's why I'm a big advocate for the work they do.” [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker credits early sports involvement at a community club for personal development and now supports its mission. **In simple terms:** Community sports shaped me; I now champion the club. Key Takeaway Support youth programs that foster growth. Themes community sports advocacy development mentorship Mood proud motivated Type advocacy personal narrative When to use this quote - school sports programs - after‑school clubs - community outreach - fundraising events Key Concepts social impact personal growth role modeling Questions to Reflect On - How can we expand access to such clubs? - What personal benefits have you gained? A Different Perspective Resources may be limited, affecting program reach. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advocate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advocate/) [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I've got six brothers, so I grew up with all boys, then I moved in with three girls, and the differences were incredible. 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I don't even know how to describe it...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-dennehy/i-like-sports-i-m-a-big-football-fan-when-i-was-a-kid-i-was-a-i-don-t/) [Brian Dennehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-dennehy/) > [We grew up in the Rose Park section of Salt Lake City. It's a good neighborhood but a tough one, on the poor side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-finau/we-grew-up-in-the-rose-park-section-of-salt-lake-city-it-s-a-good/) [Tony Finau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-finau/) > [I have learned, in my life and work as a sportswriter, that big-time Sports and big-time Politics are not so far apart in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/i-have-learned-in-my-life-and-work-as-a-sportswriter-that-big-time/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Sports were a big part of my life. I was the captain of the basketball team in high school, and captain of the basketball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-rogers-jr/sports-were-a-big-part-of-my-life-i-was-the-captain-of-the-basketball/) [John W. Rogers, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-rogers-jr/) > [I love being on Sky Sports, the big hype around the games and stuff like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-maddison/i-love-being-on-sky-sports-the-big-hype-around-the-games-and-stuff/) [James Maddison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-maddison/) > [I mean, sports are big, big, big business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-lesh/i-mean-sports-are-big-big-big-business/) [Phil Lesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-lesh/) > [In sports, big names and celebrities drive events, and that's what people gravitate to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-bailey/in-sports-big-names-and-celebrities-drive-events-and-that-s-what/) [Donovan Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-bailey/) > [Sports have always been a big part of my life. At school, I played a lot of different sports, and I was competing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izabel-goulart/sports-have-always-been-a-big-part-of-my-life-at-school-i-played-a/) [Izabel Goulart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izabel-goulart/) > [For me, sports is a big part of my life. It helped me through high school. It helped me get better grades, because if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-charvet/for-me-sports-is-a-big-part-of-my-life-it-helped-me-through-high/) [David Charvet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-charvet/) > [Sports has become such a big business that the line between journalism and being a broadcast partner for all intents and purposes has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-zirin/sports-has-become-such-a-big-business-that-the-line-between/) [Dave Zirin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-zirin/) > [For a lot of kids, the Boys and Girls Club is really a sanctuary, an oasis of sanity and safety for them because their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judge-reinhold/for-a-lot-of-kids-the-boys-and-girls-club-is-really-a-sanctuary-an/) [Judge Reinhold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judge-reinhold/) > [My mother has been really instrumental in raising a lot of money through the Boys & Girls Club in my hometown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/my-mother-has-been-really-instrumental-in-raising-a-lot-of-money/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) ## More by Frank Thomas > [I think there is a lot of good in making the All-Star Team. People look at your career a little bit differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/i-think-there-is-a-lot-of-good-in-making-the-all-star-team-people/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [I'm not cocky. But I'm very confident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/i-m-not-cocky-but-i-m-very-confident/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [I always took my workouts serious because I have a football background. I came from football, so when I got to baseball, I continued…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/i-always-took-my-workouts-serious-because-i-have-a-football/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [Money doesn't motivate, but stats do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/money-doesn-t-motivate-but-stats-do/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [I got snubbed about eight times for the Mid-Summer Classic, and I know what type of career I had, and I know that I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/i-got-snubbed-about-eight-times-for-the-mid-summer-classic-and-i-know/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [I do feel I was overshadowed by some of those guys (who took steroids) . . . I had a diminished-skills clause written in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/i-do-feel-i-was-overshadowed-by-some-of-those-guys-who-took-steroids/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [Observe Everything. Communicate Well. Draw, Draw, Draw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/observe-everything-communicate-well-draw-draw-draw/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [I always wanted to be the strongest man on the field. Most of the time, they said I was lifting too much but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/i-always-wanted-to-be-the-strongest-man-on-the-field-most-of-the-time/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [A lot of guys are free swingers, but I'm up there looking for a specific pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/a-lot-of-guys-are-free-swingers-but-i-m-up-there-looking-for-a/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [I always try to overachieve. I feel I have something to prove every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/i-always-try-to-overachieve-i-feel-i-have-something-to-prove-every-day/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [The Big Hurt describes me perfectly-not as a person, but as a player. It's what I do to a baseball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/the-big-hurt-describes-me-perfectly-not-as-a-person-but-as-a-player/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [A Home Run Derby is fun. It's just like taking batting practice, and you just want to go deep. Guys do it every day.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/a-home-run-derby-is-fun-it-s-just-like-taking-batting-practice-and/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [At the Home Run Derby, you're expected to hit home runs. You're up there trying to hit home runs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/at-the-home-run-derby-you-re-expected-to-hit-home-runs-you-re-up/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [I come from good stock. Both of my parents are big - my dad is a big guy; my mom is a big lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/i-come-from-good-stock-both-of-my-parents-are-big-my-dad-is-a-big-guy/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) > [You just can't wake up out of bed and think you can figure out a gym. You definitely need some personal training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-thomas/you-just-can-t-wake-up-out-of-bed-and-think-you-can-figure-out-a-gym/) [Frank Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) [Explore all 28 Frank Thomas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-thomas/) ## More Advocate quotes > [“Why do we apologize for advocating for ourselves? Why do we apologize for taking up space that we are entitled to? Why do we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-tambascio/why-do-we-apologize-for-advocating-for-ourselves-why-do-we-apologize/) Elizabeth Tambascio > [I stayed in the astronaut program until 1993. People ask me why I left. I thought I had a lot of things to contribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-stayed-in-the-astronaut-program-until-1993-people-ask-me-why-i-left/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [Throughout my career I have been an advocate for women, in all aspects of their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/throughout-my-career-i-have-been-an-advocate-for-women-in-all-aspects/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I'm an advocate of 'it's not what you are, it's who you are.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sia-furler/i-m-an-advocate-of-it-s-not-what-you-are-it-s-who-you-are/) [Sia Furler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sia-furler/) > [I'm a big advocate of a work-for-pay setup rather than an allowance that isn't attached to chores - it's a great way to impart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/i-m-a-big-advocate-of-a-work-for-pay-setup-rather-than-an-allowance/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [It's very difficult to advocate for yourself while you're in excruciating pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandra-wilson/it-s-very-difficult-to-advocate-for-yourself-while-you-re-in/) [Chandra Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandra-wilson/) > [I'm, in general, an advocate of moderate ticket prices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jupp-heynckes/i-m-in-general-an-advocate-of-moderate-ticket-prices/) [Jupp Heynckes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jupp-heynckes/) > [“The judicial wheel is rounded with equality, oiled with honour and functions smoothly with honesty – principally when both members of the Bench and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/the-judicial-wheel-is-rounded-with-equality-oiled-with-honour-and/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/if-i-m-an-advocate-for-anything-it-s-to-move-as-far-as-you-can-as/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [I'm such an advocate for animal rights and environmental rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beau-garrett/i-m-such-an-advocate-for-animal-rights-and-environmental-rights/) [Beau Garrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beau-garrett/) > [I am a big advocate of the role of the bookstore in the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-simsion/i-am-a-big-advocate-of-the-role-of-the-bookstore-in-the-community/) [Graeme Simsion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-simsion/) > [I believe it is my responsibility to be the staunchest advocate for people out there that also have pre-existing conditions, and I will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mast/i-believe-it-is-my-responsibility-to-be-the-staunchest-advocate-for/) [Brian Mast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mast/) > [I'm not a banner, I am an encourager and a persuader and an advocate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-howard/i-m-not-a-banner-i-am-an-encourager-and-a-persuader-and-an-advocate/) [John Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-howard/) > [“Just because you talk about it or advocate for one position doesn't mean you care more. Just because someone doesn't talk about it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-lynn-hope/just-because-you-talk-about-it-or-advocate-for-one-position-doesn-t/) [Donna Lynn Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-lynn-hope/) > [It's nearly impossible to believe just how provincial the wine world was in 1978, the year I launched my journal, 'The Wine Advocate.' There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-parker-jr/it-s-nearly-impossible-to-believe-just-how-provincial-the-wine-world/) [Robert M. Parker, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-parker-jr/) [Browse all 306 Advocate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advocate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I grew up in the Boys & Girls Club. 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