For as long as I can remember, my dad has been a wrestling coach where his passion has been for years. He's coached multiple different teams, different schools, different sports and even me, and I wouldn't want to trade what my he does for the world because it's made me a better athlete and more appreciative of the man who I am lucky to call my dad.
You know when he is proud of you. Years of watching my dad coach I know the look in his eyes and the inflection in his voice when he is proud. I've seen him so proud of his wrestlers and how excited he gets so when I get to see that same reaction for me, I know I'm doing something right. My dad is the number one person I want to make proud when I step on the field.
You know how to handle criticism. My dad is extremely honest. It's a mix of his personality and him being a coach, but he is very cut and dry. When my dad is honest with me I know that what he is saying is not to hurt me, it's to better me. When I receive criticism in my writing or lacrosse I know that if it's in the right manor it's to make me better, not tear me down. It's made me realize that if you are going to get any better you need to have tough skin and open mind.
You know what type of athlete/person not to be, making you a better athlete/person. My dad always talks about how hard it is to coach the uncoachable... the ones who are too confident, not hardworking, and don't listen. After seeing how frustrated my dad would get I knew that I couldn't make a coach feel that way, so I always try to listen, work hard, be confident, but not too confident in my ability.
You see the passion for the sport in your dad. Seeing my dad talk, watch, or coach wrestling makes me wonder how someone could love something that much, but then I look at myself and lacrosse and I know that it's possible. My dad has dealt with unruly athletes, crazy parents, insane rivals, and many different obstacles and he still loves his sport more than anything. That's what makes me think that no matter what, if he tries to push me away from my sport I will always love it, remember why I started, and push on.
He's the best coach you have ever had. My dad coached me for my powderpuff game for my senior year and that was the most amazing experience, but my dad has been my coach for a much longer time than that. He has been my biggest fan, my go to, and my favorite person to talk sports with since as long as I can remember. Some say that the best coaches are the ones you can look up to and love like they are your parents and I say the best parents are the ones who can coach you through life.
I am incredibly proud of everything my dad has done and everything he continues to do. He makes me realize that even when my time playing my sport is done I can still love and be involved in my sport. I love my dad/coach.
