Coaches are more than just coaches – they are mentors, motivators, family, friends, and role models. They invest their own time in us, and they take chances on us. They stand on the sidelines, alone, and analyze the game or practice while the rest of us are cheering and having fun with the team.
Gino Buffa, men’s soccer alumnus and senior in Athletic Training, said, “ T-Ham (Tyler Hamilton), is unlike any coach I have ever had. He has his own coaching style. He is a good guy that cares about his players and wants success for his team”.
Leilani Harworth, a women’s soccer and basketball freshman in Sports Medicine, shared, “JB (Janette Burgin), has been a great coach to me this year as I have been a dual sport athlete, she has supported me in both sports. She cares about her players and has a fun perspective when we talk with her. My teammates and I appreciate what she has done for us, from pushing us to be better athletes and perform to our best”.
Brooklyn Hollander, men’s volleyball and sophomore in Accounting, expressed, “Thank you Coach Jeffery Lipton for making me a better person on and off the court”.
As for my personal experience, I wanted to say thank you to Coach Tyler Tomlinson (T-Tom), women’s soccer coach, for not taking a chance on me just one time, but also two times after that. Thank you for pushing me, giving me the confidence and resources I need to continue growing inside and outside of soccer, and for seeing the potential when I, or others, may not have seen it ourselves.
To me, a coach is more than just somebody who tells you what to do in our sport. A coach is somebody who we can count on, ask advice from someone that wants to see us persevere, seeing us when we are happy and when we are sad.
Coaches start the culture. They are the first person on the team that we know. They respect us and push us to be better. They leave an impact on us far beyond the tenure of our sport. We carry the lessons they have given us into our personal and professional lives without even thinking about it. Coaches exemplify resilience, loyalty, and an astounding work ethic. They deserve far more recognition and appreciation than they currently receive, as their contributions are invaluable.
National Coach Appreciation Day is October 6th. Continue to celebrate their success as they do ours.
