Coach(es),

For all of those years, whether sitting on the bench, standing by your side, or on the court/field playing for you, I cannot tell you how much I have learned from you, and you alone.

You've seen me at my worst and at my best, through sweat, blood and tears, honestly you've seen it all.

Remembering my good days on the court or on the field, now being out of high school for a while, I do not think I would be who I am today without having your support over those four years as a Bulldog. My awkward freshmen year, spent nervous and unsure of my own abilities, you were the one who always believed in me.

Looking back, you actually taught me so much more than just how to be a great athlete. You were the one who taught me the proper way to get things done with pride, you taught me how to persevere in tough situations, how to use my brain instead of my athletic ability when needed on the court/field(how to be "sport smart"), how to not be afraid or ashamed of trying my best and failing(because there is no shame in that), how to truly be a dependable teammate, as well as a strong captain, what respect really was(respect for myself and respect for others), and how to be an even better person and friend.

Over the years I made my way from a little freshman, working my way up to JV, then to Varsity, thankfully with you still by my side, supporting me every step of the way. You’ve been there for me, not just athletically, but academically and personally in life (because we all know how stressful and confusing high school can get sometimes, ha, ha…). You even came to prom pictures, my graduation party, and other big events, because you always supported me on and off the court/field. I am thankful for you!

Looking back now, leaving my high school sports behind, leaving you behind to coach the other lot of high school athletes you get every year, I can truly say I miss you, miss the game, and especially miss your advice.

As an alumni now, I come to games from time to time, and watch in the stands, truthfully in awe at your ability to honestly do your job so strongly and so well.

Feeling nostalgic, watching you coach, I cannot help but laugh a little at all the things you put my teammates and I through over the years. Suicides, 5 lines, all those drills we all hated (specifically making us dive on the floor to properly save a volleyball, rebound outlet, and foul shots before water breaks) but strongly did, just to become a better athlete and a better team. Basically in our bad attitude, teenish minds, you put us through hell, physically for sure, emotionally more than half the time, ha, and everything in between... But we're thankful for it because it taught us perseverance and prepared us for the other life obstacles we're meant to face in our future. It was all worth it!

Those wonderful times when we got scolded in the locker room during half time, or on the side lines for not boxing out enough, playing better defense, for not catching a fly ball properly, or not serving well enough, are now fondly looked back on. For sure in the moment we probably hated you and cursed your name under our breath (ha, sorry), but everything you said sternly was to make us a better player, a better team, and a better person. You were the one who taught me to pick up my enemies when they were down (even though I really just wanted to walk right over them on the court, and shake their hand and flip them off at the same time at the end of the game, ha, ha, but being a team player and showing respect was what you instilled in us and I'm grateful for it). You taught me the importance of not getting what I always wanted, because that is truly what happens in life and how important it is to work hard for what you want and to never give up.

One of the biggest things I have admired you for and still admire you for is how much you truly care about all your athletes. For a few months out of the year you take your athletes under your wing, as if being our “Sport Mom or Dad” in a sense. You checked up on our grades, made sure we were doing well mentally, emotionally and physically and over time you got to know us so well, you could tell if something was bothering us and always made time to talk. You cared for not just us as athletes, but us as students, and as your own. But going above and beyond, you would check up on us when our season together was over, even making time to watch us play a different sport, cheering us on proudly, being one of our biggest supporters.

Feeling nostalgic, I look back on my high school sports days with fond memories. Team dinners were always hilarious, and a great way to bond with my teammates and you as well. Making fun of what we all did on or off the court/field in the past, like your first penalty, one of us accidentally scoring in the wrong basket, hitting the ball over the net with our heads, swearing on the field and court (by mistake.. of course) and so much more.

All of those fun memories, inside jokes, amazing wins, comebacks, tournament births, as well as those devastating losses, are something I’ll never forget, but our glory days don’t last forever, although I wished they did.

But the things that WILL last forever are all the lessons you taught me. Teaching someone to believe in themselves is sometimes difficult, but you taught me to believe in myself, and I thank you for it. You taught me what it really means to work for what you want, that if you keep practicing, it may not make perfect (because there is no such thing as perfect), but it will make a huge difference. You taught me what it meant to be there for someone in a time of need, like a teammate when they were down, and you taught me how to be a leader, and what it means to back someone up when needed. Basically you gave me courage and too many life lessons to list and I am forever grateful.

It’s crazy how things go by so fast…

Thanks for all you have done for me and your other past athletes, and for all you continue to do for your present and future athletes. Thanks for being a great role model, strong leader, and trustworthy friend. You believed in me, and I believe in you, as you keep coaching your athletes to victory. You’ve impacted me more than you know.

Sincerely,

Your extremely thankful former player