When you get involved in sports you not only learn how to play the sport but you learn skills which become useful in the “real world.” Your coach is not only the coach, but he is a mentor, leader, and a supporter. So I thank my coach for all the things he did for me that have influenced the person I am today.

Thank you for never giving up on me. Even when I could not muster up the confidence for a good performance you did not care. You knew that every athlete has their bad days. You pushed me to believe in myself when it seemed impossible to. Even when it seemed as though I had given up all hope, you did not. You continued to support and lead me to my next performance and you never, ever got down on me.

Thank you for teaching me that sports not only require athletic preparation but mental preparation as well. Mental preparation was key to a successful performance and that idea carries over to any aspect of life. Thank you for helping me develop this mental preparation through music, prayer, and happiness. You helped me to forget my nerves and throw out the stress which weighed me down, and it not only helped me in my sport but in my life as well.

Thank you for teaching me that winning is not everything. Winning is only one aspect of the sport. Becoming a team and working as a team is the key aspect of being successful at the sport. The team must be fully committed to each other and their work in order to get positive results. When we did not win you did not get upset, instead you were pleased with what we did accomplish.

Thank you for being a part of my life then and now. Even though my athletic days are over, you will never cease to support me. You have done everything in your power to help me be the successful person I am today, and I will always remember and appreciate the time you put into my life.