“Coaching isn’t a great mystery. It’s Just hard work, determination, and inspiration at the right moment.” -Bob Zuppke

There is nothing more rewarding than knowing you made an influence in someone’s life.

When you think back to your younger years, who do you remember as making a great impact on who you are?

In most people’s top five biggest influences, I am sure a coach would be one name we will never forget.

Not saying being a coach is easy. It was one of the most frustrating things I have ever encountered.

You will have nights with no sleep. You will stress out so much about your kids that you will not be able to eat. You only want the best for them and you see their potential and try do have them see it too.

(If you aren’t a parent, I can only imagine this is what parenthood is similar too.)

When your athletes are upset, you are upset. When they are happy, you are happy. You are not just the coach.

You are the parent.

The consultant.

The therapist.

The encourager.

The friend. 

They look to you for approval after every competition, every practice. They may need some tough love, but encouraging words is what they strive on.

Sometimes, athletes from other teams even come to you for advice. You must be willing to help any athlete that needs your help.

You are a coach. Athletes look up to you for so much guidance not only in their sport, but with life as well.

You must show passion in the sport you are coaching. Your passion will show through your teaching.

Your athletes will want to please you because of fear of letting you down.

No matter if your athletic career ended of, in my case it was injury, don’t give up on the things you are passionate about. Coach.

The accomplishment of knowing you have given your life’s passion to another is so gratifying, words can not explain.

Coaching is made up of two key ingredients: Passion and patience. If you have those two things, you athletes will forever remember you as a person who helped shape their lives.

I dedicate this blog post to my high school diving coach, Bill Walker. You have been a father to me and have without a doubt shaped me into the dedicated, disciplined, goal oriented young lady I am today. You gave me such passion for my sport and made me into a supportive, demanding, and dedicated coach for my athletes, just as you were to me. Thank you for everything.