Before I moved from Connecticut to South Carolina, I had to say goodbye to a lot of things. I had to leave a job that I had for over five years that I was good at and enjoyed. I had to say goodbye to the only town, neighborhood and home I have ever known. I also had to say goodbye to one of the only things that meant more to me than anything. Softball. I said goodbye to the sport that made me who I was. I also said goodbye to coaching the team that gave me my love for the game again. This letter is for them.
To my dysfunctional family,
In a few weeks, you will be starting another season, with another coach, and another opportunity to achieve greatness. Although I am no longer there to help you achieve that, I wanted to thank you for things you probably don’t even realize.
Before I coached you, I was at another school that made me question my personal morals. Made me question what it meant to be a team. What it meant to be successful. What it meant to make an athletic experience positive, and what would help to make an athlete become successful. Because I didn’t change to the ways of their program, I was harassed, made fun of, and was given no support. At the end of the season in September, I was told that I did not enjoy myself. That I was just not meant to be a coach in a sport that has been my identity since I was four years old. I felt defeated. Worthless. That everything they said might have been right. I lost my love for everything that gave me my identity.
When I applied and accepted the job with you girls. I was probably more nervous than you. I constantly had those negative thoughts in the back of my head.
The first time you girls amazed me was our first game. It was about 34 degrees outside and freezing cold. It was 0-0 and we were in the field. There was a girl on third base and the ball was hit. A shot to left field. Center field caught it, and through it back home to where the girl was tagged out at home. I jumped up for joy, but in my head I nodded in approval.
The next few months were both easy and hard. We played in pouring rain, swealtering heat and freezing cold. We had our highs and our lows. At the end of the day however, we always came out successful.
I can remember our last game like it was yesterday. The feeling of warmth, excitement, accomplishment, admiration, and relief. Seeing the looks on your faces as the game ended. The happiness. The smiles. The sense of pride. It hit me then. As I stood watching you hug each other. That everything I have dealt with. The anger, the crying, the fire in my heart that shined through that day.
You guys will never realize the impact you had on me as a person, as a former athlete, and as a coach. You gave me my love for the game back. My love for everything I know best. Everything that made me, well me.
As you go on and continue to achieve greatness always remember that you are capable of greatness. Capable to achieve everything and anything you set your mind to. I also want you to remember that I will always be in your corner, whether 10 miles away or 1000, you girls will always be the team that changed me, and gave me the love for everything I have kept close to me. You will forever be my dysfunctional family.
Love Always,
Coach K