I have been playing sports since I started public school in eighth grade. Tennis, bowling, cheerleading, and competitive cheerleading (Yes cheer is listed twice, they are different). My favorite memories from high school come from those sports, especially bowling. Sports are what got me through high school. In seven years of playing on school sports teams, I have had two absolutely amazing coaches. They were both my bowling coaches in high school. Coach Carl was my bowling coach sophomore, junior and senior year. Coach Medley was my coach in my senior year.

Never, on a sports team have I felt as inspired by a coach before. Every year on my high school bowling team I would vastly improve, and it was thanks to these two men. I always knew I could go to them and they would always be so happy to offer their advice. I didn't just learn bowling related skills from these two coaches either. I have learned life skills from them.

I don't think all coaches understand what they can do for their student athletes. Bad coaches can tear someone down. A bad coach can ruin the game for the athlete. A good coach though does so much more. A good coach affects not only you in the sport but also you in life. They do not only help you with the game, but they can contribute to improving other aspects of your life. They teach you so much more than just how to be good at whatever sport it is you are playing. Life skills, confidence, communication, teamwork, etc. these are all things I learned from my two favorite coaches. It was thanks to them that I was given the opportunity to get to keep playing the sport I loved in college.

If you played a sport and had a coach that touched your life in more ways than just the game. I recommend that you let them know. Let them know what they have done for you, and hopefully, they can continue to do that for others. I think everyone deserves a coach like Coach Carl and Coach Medley.