04/13/2024
Hey Coach,
Got a minute?
I watched you yelling at my kid. I watched the way he rolled his head back and slumped his shoulders. I watched him drag ass back to the bench. And I watched him sit out… for a long while. He was pi**ed. You were pi**ed. And me? Yeah… Pi**ed.
I’ve watched this happen for years and I’ve got something to say to you…
Thanks, Coach.
Thank you for calling out his mistakes and holding him accountable. Thank you for teaching him that no matter how talented of an athlete he may be, he’s got to earn his place by working hard. Thank you for not giving up on him, even when he’s given up on himself. Thank you for Loving him Tough.
It’s not easy to watch from the stands. To sit back and witness your child being taught, reprimanded, inspired, and molded by another person. I always thought that was my job. But not in this arena. This is your house. And I completely respect and admire the way you’ve run it.
It feels like just yesterday that you took this swarm of four-foot-nothing, round-cheeked, wide-eyed, little boys under your wing. The first season we handed them over to you, they spent more time eyeing their parents in the stands than focusing on the court. They were unsure of the game, unsure of themselves, unsure of you. But each week you showed up with gusto. Broad smile, bellowing praise, and gentle instruction. With that, you earned their trust, and mine.
Today, we see a group of almost-men that tower over their moms, and a handful, over their dads (even if only by a hair of their unruly mops). Today we see a Team. A Brotherhood. A Family. All come together because of you.
Today, if we catch their eye, it’s only for a brief moment. They are focused on the court, on each other, and on Coach.
It takes a special kind of someone to take a group of young kids and turn them into brothers. To teach them to trust, respect, and love the game as well as each other. It takes some thick skin to endure the criticism of board members, parents, other coaches, and even kids. It takes serious dedication to work your 9-5, to honor family time, to be present for social engagements, all the while scheduling, practicing, and giving your all every time these kids take the floor.
I’ve watched you get heated with refs, with other coaches, with the kids… but I know it’s only because your passion for the game and for your boys drives you hard. And that passion drives them harder.
Over the years, they’ve come to understand what you expect from them. And when those expectations aren’t met, they’ve had to ride the pine.
Over the years, they’ve come to understand what to expect of themselves. And when they rise to the occasion, they reap the glory on the court.
Yet no matter the outcome, they’ve come to understand that you stand for each and every one of them. They are better teammates, better athletes, better kids, because of your unwavering support.
Thank you for battling it out.
Thank you for the fight. Thank you for fighting them because I know you have always fought FOR them.
Much Love & Respect, Coach!
❤ The Mom of an Athlete
Raise Her Wild with Mehr Lee
(reposted from 2020)
