Dear Coach,
First of all, thank you for doubting me. You have shaped me into the person today by underestimating me. Your toughness challenged me beyond my limits. I want to thank you for not believing in me. I want to thank you for making me sit on the bench, or making me take pointless stats. I want to thank you for making me question my passion, and realizing that my passion outweighed your negativity. I want to thank you for doubting me, because it motivated me to work harder than everyone else and be the person and player I am.
I always have been a competitive person by nature. Growing up as the younger sister, everything became a competition in my eyes. However, you made me competitive in a new sense. You made me want to fight for my place on the team. You made me want to prove you wrong by playing college athletics from the day you told me I couldn’t. Nothing motivates you more in life than someone telling you can’t do something. I remember being devastated that you didn’t believe in me. Some would have accepted the reality that they were not good enough, but not me. I wouldn’t trade how I felt that day for anything in the world, because, had it not been for you, I wouldn’t have a fire lit under me. I would not have pushed myself harder to get to where I am today.
You were my mentor. You were the one I would see every day. You saw me at my best, and you saw me at my worst. You broke me down at times and pushed me to my limits. You were there to see my greatest personal achievements. When I scored, or got the point, that was on you. Despite me thinking your coaching style failed at times, you always had something to offer me, even if I didn’t always know it right away. You have inspired me to be a better player and coach.
You have made me the accomplished Division III volleyball player I am today. Looking back, it's crazy to see how much I've grown from challenging the skeptics in my life. I have transformed from an unconfident girl to a strong women. I can’t picture my life without you, and athletics, being in the foreground of that image. So here’s to you, coach, for doubting me as a player and consequently leading me to success.
