Everyone starts their sports careers early on. You learn the basics of the sport in elementary school and then truly decide which ones you like in middle and high school. If you are lucky enough, you even get to play in college. But, who's the one person that always has your back? Obviously, your family is always on the sideline. There is one person who knows all of your strengths and weaknesses, isn't completely biased, and still believes in you. That is your coach. Everyone does have the one coach that ruins the sport for them, but everyone also has a coach who makes them fall in love with the sport. So, allow me to raise a glass to the coach who made me work hard for the sport that made me who I am today.

1. You believed in me when no one else would.

I had just come from a coach who broke me down to my last wire, and you were there to help me regain my strength. You took me from my lowest time in my sports career and made me more successful than I could have ever imagined. You supported me when I was told I was "uncoachable" and made me a leader on the court and in my community.

2. You made me have a bigger heart.

With everything going on in your life, you still had room for us in your heart. You have your own family, and, yet, you invite all 20 of us girls into your home just so we could watch the Cubs game and eat food. You leave your own family to come away on weekend tournaments and late night spaghetti dinners with the team. And, with your own battles, you still managed to worry about how our school work is going just so we can keep our GPA standings the highest at school.

3. You became our mom.

It probably helped that you were a mother on your own, but you always were there. When we needed ibuprofen or someone to tell us to toughen up, you were there. You even cut our hair for us in the hotel rooms before we went out one night. You watched us cry countless tears because we were so stressed with school, and you understood. You also listened to us as we talked about boys for hours on our way to games and tournaments and made sure we all were happy with who we were with. I knew that if I didn't get an approval from you, he definitely was not worth my time.

4. You're the reason I chose my career.

You encouraged me so much that I have such an open heart; you are the reason I want to work with children with chronic illnesses. You knew that I was set out to do that, and you helped show me the way. With your compassion and poise, you made me want to be just like you, and that is why I want to be in this profession. You are the reason I want to help others.

5. Everyone knows who you are.

This is obviously a good thing! People who have played for you are always willing to come back and see you. They then become embraced in your warm and inviting hugs and are brought to tears because they appreciate you so much. You don't even realize how many people love you. When I tell someone that I play for you, they hold their hand to their heart and immediately say "Oh my gosh, you are playing for one of the best!" It happens every time. That is how I know I am proud to say I have played for you.

If anyone knows who I am talking about, I am glad you were able to experience this coach's passion for what she does. I may not be in contact with you anymore, but know that you are my role model, and I am privileged to have you as a coach. I cannot wait to come back for alumni games and many others. Thank you for everything you have done for me and anyone else who has had you as a coach. You are not only a coach, but a true role model that not only me, but others look up to. You are the reason I loved the game and learned to become who I am today.