Going from being a college athlete to a college coach in one year has been more challenging than I could have ever thought. However, I now understand all the behind the scenes work my past coaches have put into the program, the team, and me. Sometimes our athletes do not understand why we do the things we do or choose the processes that we do. But hopefully, they all know that we love them and have their best interest in mind.
Dear Athlete,
I know sometimes you don’t understand why I do some of the things that I do. You may not understand why I had to make you run sprints, why a certain rule is in place, or why I chose a particular strategy in a game. I am not always easy to read and cannot always convey the message I am trying to get across correctly. Practices may not always be “fun”, and lifting may not always be the most exciting. But behind every action, is a purpose.
Sometimes you may think I am being mean or negative. I may seem upset if we lose or something doesn’t go the way it is planned. It doesn’t mean I hate you or dislike you. It means just the opposite. I know that you can be better, that you are better. It means I have high expectations for you. It means that I know you are not giving me 100%. I want you to reach your full potential, and sometimes that means I have to give you a little push.
Life is not always going to be positive, and everything is not going to be given to you. That is the beauty of sports. They prepare you for the real world. When I make you run sprints because you showed up for practice late, I am trying to show you the value of being on time. When I make you do push-ups for not being prepared with all of your equipment that is me trying to show you the value of being prepared. After your time as an athlete is complete, you will need to have these values instilled in you to succeed. An interviewer is going to expect you to be on time. Your employer is going to expect that you have everything you need in order to perform your job. So while you’re my athlete, I want to make sure you are prepared and will succeed.
I also want you to know that I do not only want to be here to make you a better athlete. I want to be here for you in all aspects of life. If you need someone to talk to, my door is open. If you are having a problem with school, I want you to feel comfortable talking to me. If you are having any problems at all, I want to do my best to give you the best advice as possible. Being your coach is not only about game strategies and practices. It’s about being a mentor and helping you grow as an individual. We are a team, on and off the court.
Most importantly, I want you to know that at the end of the day, win or lose, I care about you. No matter how difficult you may be in practice, or how many times you make me repeat myself, or how many times you forget to pack your shoes for games, I care about you and love you because we are a team and that makes us family.
- Coach
