The Coach That Killed My Passion

The Coach That Killed My Passion

An open letter to the coach that made me hate a sport I once loved.
Madison Trout
Madison Trout Aug 15, 2016
164376
views

I fell in love with the game in second grade. I lived for every practice and every game. I lived for the countless hours in the gym or my driveway perfecting every shot, every pass and every move I could think of. Every night after dinner, I would go shoot and would not allow myself to go inside until I hit a hundred shots. I had a desire to play, to get better and to be the best basketball player I could possibly be.

I had many coaches between church leagues, rec leagues, personal coaches, basketball camps, middle school and high school. Most of the coaches I had the opportunity to play for had a passion for the game like I did. They inspired me to never stop working. They would tell me I had a natural ability. I took pride in knowing that I worked hard and I took pride in the compliments that I got from my coaches and other parents. I always looked forward to the drills and, believe it or not, I even looked forward to the running. These coaches had a desire to teach, and I had a desire to learn through every good and bad thing that happened during many seasons. Thank you to the coaches that coached and supported me through the years.

SEE ALSO: My Regrets From My Time As A College Softball Player

Along with the good coaches, are a few bad coaches. These are the coaches that focused on favorites instead of the good of the entire team. I had coaches that no matter how hard I worked, it would never be good enough for them. I had coaches that would take insults too far on the court and in the classroom.

I had coaches that killed my passion and love for the game of basketball.

When a passion dies, it is quite possibly the most heartbreaking thing ever. A desire you once had to play every second of the day is gone; it turns into dreading every practice and game. It turns into leaving every game with earphones in so other parents don't talk to you about it. It meant dreading school the next day due to everyone talking about the previous game. My passion was destroyed when a coach looked at me in the eyes and said, "You could go to any other school and start varsity, but you just can't play for me."

SEE ALSO: Should College Athletes Be Limited To One Sport?

Looking back now at the amount of tears shed after practices and games, I just want to say to this coach: Making me feel bad about myself doesn't make me want to play and work hard for you, whether in the classroom or on the court. Telling me that, "Hard work always pays off" and not keeping that word doesn't make me want to work hard either. I spent every minute of the day focusing on making sure you didn't see the pain that I felt, and all of my energy was put towards that fake smile when I said I was OK with how you treated me. There are not words for the feeling I got when parents of teammates asked why I didn't play more or why I got pulled after one mistake; I simply didn't have an answer. The way you made me feel about myself and my ability to play ball made me hate myself; not only did you make me doubt my ability to play, you turned my teammates against me to where they didn't trust my abilities. I would not wish the pain you caused me on my greatest enemy. I pray that one day, eventually, when all of your players quit coming back that you realize that it isn't all about winning records. It’s about the players. You can have winning records without a good coach if you have a good team, but you won’t have a team if you can't treat players with the respect they deserve.

SEE ALSO: To The Little Girl Picking Up A Basketball For The First Time

Cover Image Credit: Equality Charter School
Madison Trout
Madison Trout Aug 15, 2016
At DePauw University

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7 Lies From F*ckboys That We've All Fallen For At Least Once

They might've had you goin' for a hot second, but you know better now.
Jessica Jung
Jessica Jung Dec 13, 2017
15132
views

There’s no use in even frontin’; we’ve all been there. You know he’s a f*ckboy from the beginning, but you’re interested in pursuing him anyway. Ain't no thang; I fully support you.

You tell yourself you won’t fall for his games or lies because you’ve been through it all so many times before. Yet, time and time again, you find yourself slippin’ for a hot second, wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt until he inevitably disappoints you. Here are the top seven lies you’ve heard from f*ckboys that get you heated every time.

1. You’re the only girl I’m talking to/sleeping with


HAHAHA. OK, first, I don't actually care what (or who) you're doing in your spare time because you're definitely not the only guy I'm seeing either. I'm just asking so I know you're clean, OK? I don't need more stress in my life.

2. I know how to treat girls right

Isn't it super ironic how the WORST f*ckboys are the ones to toss this line?

3. I’ll text you

This statement is so unbelievable that on the off chance that they do actually text you, you basically fall out of your chair in shock.

4. I’m gonna give it to you good

I cry/cringe/die of laughter every time I hear this one because it's always the mediocre ones that throw this line. None of my most memorable hookups have ever said this because their actions clearly speak for them. Mediocre boys, TAKE NOTE.

5. Damn, I wanted to see you though

Well, you were supposed to, but then you clearly had other plans in mind. So the desire wasn’t all that intense, obviously.

6. Yeah, she and I broke up

CLASSIC LIE. CLASSIC. Sure, I believed it the first couple of times, but don’t even try that sh*t with me after I see she’s still blowin’ up your line.

7. *No response for hours after making plans* Damn, sorry I fell asleep


Honestly, how many times are you gonna throw that line when you’re literally viewable on Snap Map. BOY, I see you at someone else’s house. Stop frontin’, there’s no point.


Again, don't ask me why we put up with this sh*t because the mystery remains. I guess in our own sick, twisted ways, we crave the dramatics and thrills that come from their f*ckery. Whatever the reason, though, at least we've got some ~fun~ stories to tell.

Cover Image Credit: YouTube | I'm Shmacked
Jessica Jung
Jessica Jung Dec 13, 2017
At University of Michigan

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To The High School Seniors Who Can't Decide, Just Follow Your Heart To College

It is not that far away when you have to make a decision for yourself on where you are going to in the fall or spring semester, but I am here with some simple advice: just follow your heart.

anna_polo
anna_polo Dec 9, 2018
993
views

November 9th — the day I got my email saying that I got accepted into Louisiana State. I woke up from a nap completely in a daze and was confused when I saw the end of the email saying that I got accepted, I thought it was fake. I ran into my sister's room and asked her to make sure this was real, and sure enough, that day changed my life completely.

I had no idea where I wanted to go my heart was set on LSU, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for the change. All of my family and friends were still back at home, I had the opportunity to stay close, but anytime I would think about going to another school, the thought of "what if" always entered my brain. Once more and more options started to appear, I had no idea how I was going to choose. Everywhere seemed to have the best program and academics. I couldn't pick a clear winner in my mind.

I remember the night that I had heard back from all the colleges and universities that I applied to. I sat in my bed feeling overwhelmed, that at that moment, I was going to have to make a final decision in the next couple of months. I figured it out. I decided I was going to go to Penn State. It seemed to be a perfect choice, not too far from home, friends, and family would be there with me, and the program was amazing. Not to mention that it was my Dad's alma mater. I wanted to see the campus one last time before I made my final decision. When I went, I could picture myself walking around and living in a state college for the next four years.

But, I didn't get that moment that everyone talks about…

Two weeks after that, I went to visit LSU's campus. When I drove up to the campus sign, I immediately got the chills. I had the chance to get a tour of my major and college; everything about it was what I was looking for. The skies were bright blue, and the weather was perfect. I was so happy being there, and I knew that was "my moment."

Since then I have been having more of these "moments." The moment when I knew I found my best friends, my TD gals. Through thick and thin these ladies have inspired me to be a better friend and have been with me through every college win and fail. That "moment" when you find your core group of friends from your classes and extracurriculars, and you can't stop laughing endlessly and being so grateful for every second that you get to spend with them. These "moments" compile and that is what your college experience is made out of. I am so grateful for all the lessons I have learned, the friends I have made, and the first experiences I have gotten to have since moving in August.

I promise you that if you listen to your heart, you'll know when it's the best decision that you could make. Cinderella always said, "a dream is a wish your heart makes", and until now, I realized that my heart was wishing to come here, but until I woke up from my dream, I didn't realize that this was truly the best place for me to be. I am so excited to come back next semester and to experience so much more.

anna_polo
anna_polo Dec 9, 2018
At Louisiana State University

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