When you make a career change and really a lifestyle change like I have, it gives you a chance to reflect on where you have been and where you would like to go. Life is a series of relationships. In whatever moment you are in, you typically have a close circle of friends, acquaintances, and your family. As your family grows up and spreads apart you don’t always get to interact with them like you once did. It doesn’t mean you love them any less, you just don’t get to speak to them as often. None of this is earth shattering, most of us can relate to that. When you are coaching, you always are focusing on the group and where the next group can go. Wins usually aren’t as much elation and joy like they should be, but more relief. The losses hurt more than the wins feel good. These reflections lead me back to many of the very special athletes I have coached and special students I have taught. Many of them I haven’t talked to or communicated with in years but I have thought about them often.
I really do sit in amazement at what so many of you have accomplished. The special part is being able to reach out to some of you and tell you how proud I am of what you have become. I have been so humbled by the responses of so many of these amazing people. When they say things to you like, “Coach you have no idea how important you were to me being who I am today!” I recently had a former athlete stand up in front of a group of teachers and say that I am the reason they became a coach! I never imagined I could possibly have that kind of impact on a young person. It is eye opening and at the time I had no idea the influence I had on the future of so many of these young men and women. I have had an opportunity to reach out to many of my former students and athletes and it is so neat to hear what they are doing and seeing what they have accomplished. My favorite part might just be looking at the pictures of their beautiful families. It is so awesome to see them being amazing moms and dads. Some of the conversations have been tough. I called one of my former players the other day and it was heartbreaking. I choked up and realized how important it is to reach out and talk to people. I had no idea what he was going through when I picked up the phone, but I’m glad I did. I hope coaches realize what a lasting impact they have on so many. Being called, “Coach” is special.
