Inspired by my wife Claudia, I launched 6IXTH MAN, LLC which embodies the heart of who I am striving to become. From childhood to the present I’ve been both shaped and tempted by the mentor and vice that is basketball. Over time, it became apparent that God outfitted me, moment-by-moment, to endure what often seemed like unwarranted punishment. Believe me, it’s not pseudo piety. I was not unlike the millions who worship a sport in hopes of gaining the fame, fortune and validation associated with it. I hated losing, sitting the bench and felt as a young person as if my dreams were being ripped from my grasp.But 24 years after discovering basketball I realized some pivotal truths relevant to every season, every practice and every DNP (did not play) because if you don’t learn from the struggle, you exude the gall that pollutes your life and the lives of those around you.
My hope is that my writing, consulting and coaching helps young athletes, especially, to heal from the pain of life’s circuitous routes. More importantly my prayer is that it invites them to activate the lessons that lie within. Being a part of a team is perpetual and inevitable. I believe that if you Play Your 6ixth Man, you will undoubtedly add value to your team and discover your true identity.
The Bio Materials…
Norman Coulter, Jr. founded 6ixth Man Character Development in 2008 along with his beautiful wife Claudia. Inspired by God, 6ixth Man is the product of Norman’s upbringing in what is now called South Los Angeles. While growing up in a single parent home, witnessing violence first hand and participating in youth sports, Norman developed an affinity for basketball and character. The sport became a dominating force in his life leading to a college career as a four-year member of the Chapman University Men’s Basketball Team (1993-1997).
Norman then worked out for several overseas teams before leaving the quest for professional basketball and landing at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2000 where he completed a Masters of Arts in Theology. For five years, Norman worked in full-time ministry during which time the desire to be involved with basketball as a means of transformative ministry resurfaced.
In 2004 Norman transitioned from his church ministry post to innovate a type of character based training that might one day impact the National Basketball Association. He briefly resumed training and returned to basketball one last time as part of a quest to better understand the culture of basketball and how it has become unethical in many respects. His journey resulted in a workout with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2005 after which he retired from competitive basketball.
From inner-city beginnings to the present, Norman intersperses the triumphs and failures of his own basketball journey with wisdom gained from those stories. He is the author of The 6ixth Man: 12 Lessons I’ve Learned from NOT Playing Basketball and as a writer, coach and pastor, he is committed to guiding athletes toward self-discovery. With the power of God’s truth, the mission of 6ixth Man is to lead athletes to a divine awareness of self for the world’s sake.
