Playing sports during my youth was a profound blessing. Growing up in the rural southwestern Oklahoma, where the community bonds were tight and unwavering, participating in sports was a rite of passage for nearly every young boy. From the moment we were eligible, we threw ourselves into the competition and camaraderie, reveling in the joy and lessons it brought into our lives. I, alongside my childhood friends, cherished every moment we could compete, an experience that profoundly shaped my life.

The benefits derived from participating in sports are innumerable. Learning to be an integral part of a team, understanding the essence of sportsmanship, grasping the true value of hard work, and learning to uplift and support peers are just a few of the lifelong lessons ingrained in us. However, the pivotal influence in this journey, threading through each of these priceless lessons, was the coaches who guided us.

In the formative years of little league, before advancing to Junior High, our coaches were often the fathers of my teammates, embodying the spirit of community. As we ascended to Junior High and beyond into High School, our coaches were professionals employed by the Public School System, serving dual roles as educators and mentors within our school.

These coaches were more than just strategy orchestrators or skill enhancers; they were caregivers, understanding and sympathetic to the personal lives of their players. Their passion for the game and their love for teaching shone brightly, fostering an environment where the repetitive practice could translate into skill improvement over time. They balanced toughness with tenderness, discipline with kindness—a requisite duality given the omnipresent watchful eyes of protective parents.

During my time in Junior High and High School, I was especially fortunate to have a coach who transcended the conventional role, becoming a mentor and a confidant. His love and dedication were palpable; he not only invested time but showed a genuine care for my development, both on and off the field. His philosophy extended beyond mere practice; he championed perfect practice to cultivate perfect play, underlined the importance of a positive attitude towards playing and interacting with others, and fostered a culture where hatefulness and mediocrity were unacceptable. Through him, I learned not just to win but to accept loss with grace and dignity.

Reflecting on one striking example of my coach's unwavering dedication to integrity brings me back to my days as a catcher, starting from the very beginnings in little league baseball and continuing through Junior High School. My skills behind the plate had advanced significantly, nurtured by practice and the guidance of my coach, once a minor league pitcher whose wisdom on the field was paralleled only by his life lessons off it.

On an exceptionally sweltering afternoon in May, I found myself once again crouched behind home plate, the heat mirroring my frustration with the umpire's inconsistent strike zone. My coach had repeatedly emphasized the importance of respecting all authority figures, umpires included, yet there I was, letting my emotions overshadow my discipline. The game halted momentarily when the umpire confronted me about my attitude, immediately my mind went to my coach's teachings about respect for authority, and I intentionally quickly resumed my crouched position behind the plate without daring a glance towards the dugout.

It's crucial to note here, with a runner on first and two outs already on the board, the tension was palpable. Seizing what he presumed what would be an opportune moment to steal second base because of the distraction, the runner received his signal to steal. As our pitcher launched into his motion and the runner broke for second, instinct took over. I received the pitch and, in a seamless motion, hurled the ball to second base. Our shortstop met my throw perfectly, tagging the runner out and ending the inning amidst a wave of exhilaration from the crowd.

Returning to the dugout, hearts racing and adrenaline still pumping, our coach proceeded with the routine call for the next batters without missing a beat. The lineup included two expected names and one surprising addition—a pinch hitter taking my place. It was a pivotal moment, not just in the game but in my life. Sitting out as the team prepared for our chance at victory in the tie-breaking last half of the last inning, the message was clear. This was not about a momentary lapse in a game but about the bigger picture—how my actions and respect towards others reflected my character off the field.

Coach's decision to replace me, despite being one of our stronger hitters, was a profound lesson in priorities. He chose this moment to teach me about respect, discipline, and the kind of person I should aspire to be, far beyond just a baseball player. This game, like so many others, would fade into memory, but the lessons learned on how to treat people with dignity and respect would shape the character I took into the world for the rest of my life.

Looking back, I realize the courage it must have taken for him to make that call. He was not just aiming for a win that day but striving to prepare me to win at the game of life.

The essence of a truly great coach can be distilled into the acronym COACH:

• Care: The depth of a coach's care is a direct reflection of their greatness. It’s not just about teaching the game but nurturing the players, understanding their struggles, celebrating their victories, and always striving to create a positive and supportive environment.

• Optimize: Realizing potential by making the best or most effective use of any situation, opportunity, or resource. It’s about seeing the latent capacity in every player and every play, and working tirelessly to bring that to the forefront.

• Attitude: Fostering an expectation to win, not just in terms of scores, but in personal development, team cohesion, and sportsmanship. This expectation of excellence drives the coach and their team to strive for greatness in all aspects.

• Consistent: Encouraging consistent growth through compounded effort over time achieves greatness. It’s about building day by day, practice by practice, game by game, never settling for the status quo.

• Honesty: Foundation of integrity and trust. A coach's honesty in feedback, in expectations, and in their commitment to the team and each player builds a framework of trust that elevates the entire team.

The journey through youth sports, under the guidance of insightful coaches, was much more than learning to play a game. It was about internalizing life lessons that continue to resonate, shaping not just athletes but individuals of character, resilience, and integrity.

Expect to Win!

#xp2win