A Letter to My High School Track Coach

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken

As student athletes, the sport we play takes up most of our time. More so in college, but, if you really think about it, if you were dedicated to your high school sport, your life probably consisted of that sport (or sports) school, homework, and sleep. Social life was something rare, and only happened on the bus to a meet, getting ready before or after practice and a quick conversation in the parking lot before departing to eat dinner and complete homework.

Since I have graduated high school (now four years ago) was a member of a collegiate team, began my journey in Sport Management and have began to train youth athletes, I am realizing more than ever the impact my high school track coach had on me. So, Coach, this is for you.

Thank you for pushing me to be the best daughter, sister, friend, and teammate I could be. You expected greatness and demanded that we give it in everything we did. You allowed me to realize that potential is limitless and that I will get out what I put in.

Thank you for making sacrifices for the betterment of the team. You gave up countless hours spending time with your wife to lead practices, take us to meets, and write up your "game plan." Your work existed outside of the team itself and you did this with no hesitation or complaints.

Thank you for believing in me when I did not. Day in and day out you recognized the greatness each and every one of us had. Even on the days I did not make my target time, did not get the place I wanted, or did not qualify for something, you believed the next race I would do it.

Thank you for teaching me about life outside of sport. Starting track in 7th grade, it quickly became my end all, be all. I was good at it and all of my friends were on the team, so it was something I quickly fell in love with. As a 7th grader you do not realize how fast the next five years will go. As I peaked over senior year, I was able to use qualities I learned from track and field in the real world. Qualities I still use on a daily basis.

I never thought I would miss hearing you scream across the field, making us all do push ups when one person messed up, getting up early for our one Saturday morning practice, or the glare that could cut through diamonds when it sounded like a baton had hit the ground, but I do. At the time I may have turned around and rolled my eyes, but now I can see more than ever how much everything you did has allowed me to become the person I am today. Thank you Coach. As I take this next step in my life, I hope that I can be at least half the coach that you were.

Sincerely,

"DeeJay"

Photo: http://inventionland.com/blog/happy-national-thank-you-day/

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