I began coaching lacrosse as a 17-year-old. I don't even remember how I initially began. Someone must have told me about the opportunity, and I figured, "Why not? I need a job."

My first team was a group of fifth and sixth-grade girls from the towns surrounding where I grew up and was going to college. Since then, I have coached players as young as 8 and as old as 18 in 10 different cities throughout the northwest Chicago suburbs. I am going on my 15th season of coaching, having coached upwards of 300 players in four-and-a-half years.

Before each season starts, I always know my main goals:

1. The girls should have fun, with the ultimate purpose of them falling in love with the sport.

2. They should increase their work ethic and have positive attitudes.

3. Lacrosse should become something which gives them purpose. They want to care for their bodies and minds so they can continue to play the sport and improve.

4. They should know I respect them, care for them and want to see them improve, even in the little things.

When comparing myself to some of the head coaches for the teams I have worked with, I sometimes feel very inadequate. They have several more years of experience, having played competitively in college and continued to play through adult leagues. I've felt underqualified, unskilled and useless. However, when former players run up to me and give me huge hugs, or when I see players return season after season, I know I am a good coach and have accomplished my goals.

There were a few seasons I found myself coasting. It was easy to show up, run a few drills and go home. I didn't know how to get better, or how to get out of that rut. But like all other things in life, coaching takes hard work and constant development. This season, I have dedicated myself to understanding the rules of the game (as opposed to just knowing them) and attending clinics in order to improve. It's not for me, it's for my players.

This year especially, I have learned to apply these tactics in other areas of my life. I take the work ethic and determination I gained through coaching and apply them in my school work, other jobs and relationships. The change was not sudden, but I have seen growth. I'm more content and more ambitious than I have been in years.

I recently ran a clinic for new coaches, introducing them to coaching techniques. As we were working with both brand new and slightly experienced players, I realized how much I have learned since I began. I am able to adapt to the skill level, and even personality, of the players on each team in order to help them improve. I know how to take control of an environment, increase team unity and push my players to our ultimate goal. I can be proud of who I am as a coach because I have grown and made an impact over the years.