Dear Coaches,
I sit on the side lines as an alumni, now. On the occasion I can make it back to high school to watch your current team, it never fails to make me feel nostalgic.
I'm going to be honest here, there were days when I didn't like you very much. You yelled at me, you pushed me to my limits, and you told me to be better. You told me to never give anything less than 100 percent, and there were days when I didn't think I could live up to your expectations.
Remember the day you kicked our team out of practice? We all stormed out of the gym and gathered in the locker room, frustrated with ourselves. I look back on that day and laugh, but man, we were all scared of you that day.
Remember those summer camps where the gym was about 100 degrees? Those early morning practices? Or the time spent conditioning? You saw me at my worst, but somehow you always managed to only see the best in me.
Remember all of the lessons you taught us? You were the one who taught me to be confident, how to believe in myself, and what it truly means to work hard for what you want. You taught me what it meant to be part of a team, and what it looked like to give everything you have for others.
No matter what, there wasn't a single moment when I doubted your commitment and love for us. It was shown in many different ways: yelling, looks of disappointment, pep talks, cheering, and the countless hours you spent in and outside of the gym to make us better.
Remember when I cried my eyes out senior year when we played our final game? My time playing the sport I love ended too fast.
Ask any of my college friends, I talk about my time on the team with you a lot. Playing the sport I love, surrounded by incredible coaches like you, is something I wouldn't trade for anything. You are forever my role models, my favorite memories, and my source of inspiration. Without my time with you, I know for a fact I would not be the person I am today.
Together we won trophies and medals; physical objects that may one day end up in a box in my basement. And that's OK, we aren't meant to hold onto the glory days forever. But I will always hold on to what I learned from you.
There is no way I could ever explain how grateful I am for all that you have done for me, and all that you continue to do for your current players. You will get a new team every year, but always know that each and every team you coach will never forget the life lessons you taught us through the sport.
Sincerely,
Your former player
