The impact a coach can have on an athlete’s experience is immeasurable. Whether it is negative or positive, a coach has the potential to grow or diminish interest in a sport. I have had both positive and negative experiences throughout my athletic career in both volleyball and cross country.
“My bowling coach pushed me to want to do my best. They knew my limits and capabilities and helped me reach the goals I set for myself during the season.” –Marianna Sanchez, bowling, St. Mary’s College
My volleyball coach during my 4th season was really nice. He always asked how everyone was doing and always checked up on us. But the one thing I remember most about my season playing for him was getting put in a game to play a single serve, getting the point for my team, and getting pulled out of the game. That was the only time I played the entire match. I was pulled out for his daughter to play. Her friends would play more than more talented players. Favoritism was more important than skill that season. I worked so hard to get him to notice that I could play, that I deserved a shot. I developed skills that season but was discouraged every time they went unnoticed.
“Having a good volleyball coach has positively impacted my performance in season because they have pushed me to do my very best and taught me how to become a good leader. With training, my coach helped me set goals to improve my speed and agility. In my performance, my coach made me do a lot of reps until I was happy with my ability in a skill.” –Nicole Hozzian, volleyball, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
During my final season of volleyball, I had a phenomenal coach. All of my teammates got along so well with her. She would often pull players out of practices to work with them individually for a portion of practice while the rest of us went through drills. The one on one work with her was so beneficial, and that season was probably the best I’d ever had.
“My coach is always there for me, even when I’m going through something personal” –Dulce Zarinana, cross country, Carthage College
I started cross country my sophomore year of high school. I had the same coach until my senior year. I was involved in other activities that my coach was a moderator of so I spent plenty of time with her. She was one of the nicest people and she even wrote me a letter when I went on an important retreat. In season though, I had a hard time getting along with her. At first, I had no problem with how our team was set up, but as I became more interested in running, the differences became all too real. By junior year, there was an obvious divide between varsity and junior varsity. It was so much that at the end of the season I told her I felt unnecessary on the team. I was not the only one that felt that way. Even the varsity girls noticed and were uncomfortable with it. Still, I decided to continue on with cross country into college.
My college team has made me so happy that I’ve stuck with athletics. Our coach is phenomenal. Nothing has made me more encouraged than actually feeling like I belonged and like I mattered. I put in more effort than I did in high school, and I give my 110 percent. I don’t want to let my coach, my teammates or myself down.
“Having a good coach helped me to have more confidence in what I am doing in the pool and really encouraged me to always do my best. I have dropped times on all my events and I find myself enjoying practices rather than dreading them and when I would have a bad coach I would always find any excuse to skip practices” –Amy Hernandez, swimming, Trinity High School
Thank you to the coaches that made me question whether I could stick with a sport. Thank you for making me doubt my abilities. You made me stronger. You made me tougher. Thank you to the coaches who encouraged my participation, who encouraged me to give my all. You have made me confident. You have made me want to improve.
There is a lesson to be learned in every situation. Make the most of it, and it will help you grow. Don’t let one person ruin your experience, and just keep pushing through. You don’t need the validation of another person to be successful. Keep putting in the work and you’ll be just fine. I’m proud of you.
