Saturday, December 6, 2008

COACHING-IS IT WORTH IT?

My wife and I went today to watch a girl that I had coached in high school soccer, play college basketball. She is a great athlete, but more importantly she is a great worker. I remember when she reported to us in August of her senior year, she was a different player. She finished first in every running drill and her touch on the ball was exceptional. She had dedicated herself during the spring to become the player she wanted to be. Soccer wasn't her first sport. She played because she was a jock and loved sports. She was obviously an exceptional basketball player. Her first three years, she was a decent soccer player. Nothing exceptional, just solid.

I talked to her in our after season meeting and challenged her to become a good soccer player. The head coach, who was also at the meeting, told me that I may have laid it on too thick. I have a tendency toward bluntness. I remember that our player assured me she would work, but I didn't think it would really happen. After all, her future was in basketball. She stared me in the face and I remember her saying I'll be better next year. I used my daughter as an example. She was the best soccer player ever at her high school. She is still the only player to receive a Division I soccer scholarship. And she graduated in 1998. She was one step from the national team.

When our player came back I was stunned. She was a very good soccer player. I had told her that my daughter had made herself a great soccer player, by working everyday with the ball. The back of my house is proof that she did. Every screen on the windows and the globes on the porch lights had been bent or broken. Our player had done the same, as her parents could attest.

What was cool was that our player had taken my advice to heart and decided that she would be the best player she could be. I think she learned a life lesson which is much more important than a sports lesson. She has achieved her dream. How cool is that? I talked to her after the game today for a long time. She was disappointed that they had lost, but we talked about what it would take for them to be winners. They had after all, won a tournament just last week. They are a good team who played badly today. After the game, her father told her to talk to me first. I was stunned because I thought he was one of those fathers. She is a great kid and more importantly, she listens to her coaches.

We had a great converstion about basketball, life and other stuff. Many times I've questioned why I coach and put up with the jerk-off parents. I've always hoped there was a higher purpose to what I did. TODAY THERE WAS. I'm good to go for another season. She doesn't know what she did for me today. I hope I did something for her today, too.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is those kind of moments, whether that it be in teaching or coaching, that make it worth it.

The Griper said...

think also that it shows the value of being honest with kids too.

PRH said...

Coached youth baseball for 25 years, soccer for 10 and a couple at football. I now officiate High School baseball, football, and basketball...approaching 60, and I don't regret a day of it, or do I plan on quitting anytime soon.

Law and Order Teacher said...

Nun,
Thanks for the visit. That's why I teach and coach. I love both and I'll stick with it as long as I can and my wife lets me.

Griper,
Thanks for the visit. I found out early that if try to snow kids they'll figure you out quick and shut you down.

PH,
Thanks for the visit. You have been busy and I don't envy your schedule. I'm with you, I'll go until I think I need to quit. I'm looking into VSP, BTW.
Thanks for the heads-up.

Z said...

I'm just sitting here feeling good after reading this. Something I rarely do at the political blogs these days. Thanks.
I'm proud of you, though that sounds presumptuous and maybe a lot silly. what can I SAY?
Thanks for helping this girl's life be better..that makes all of us in America better.

xxxx

PRH said...

L&T....We are having a Mini-Reunion at Wright-Patterson on January 31st at 11AM....need not be a member of VSPA. It will be a small(hopefully 40 or 50 ex AF Cops from the Vietnam era) get together. You are more than welcome, since most of us have never met in person, it's a great chance to meet eye to eye...we will meet at the AF Museum that Saturday.

If you want to send me your e-mail I will keep you informed on the event status.

pat.houseworth@gmail.com

Tapline said...

The pay certainly isn't great and the grief one can take from the parents are usually unwarrented and unneeded,but,,,that's par for the course. When we see the fruits of our labor....That is our reward!!!...stay well....

Law and Order Teacher said...

Z,
Thanks for the visit. I appreciate your encouraging words. She is one of the best kids I have ever coached. When they succeed you hope you had a small part in helping them along.

Tap,
Thanks for the visit. We certainly don't do it for the money. We have to take our rewards where we can.