A Wedding, A Letter, And A Surgery.

I was reminded this week about the true rewards of coaching. It is in the moments you experience with your players away from the field. In less than a week I’ve been to a wedding, written a letter of recommendation, and attended a surgery.

The moments aren’t all joyous. Some are a bit scary, some require lots of thought, and others are just fun. But they are all the reason why coaching is the greatest profession. There are lots of difficult times but these moments are the true rewards.

On Saturday one of my former players, Alisa “Boogie” Barlow, got married. I felt so honored to get invited to the wedding. From feisty freshman, to incredible leader, Boogie’s journey was what being a student-athlete is all about. Growth. Today she is an extremely successful businesswoman.

As coaches we meet our student-athletes when they are early in their high school years. I tell all of my recruits that I don’t just want to be their coach for the next four years but the next 40 years.

Don’t get me wrong I remember when Boogie scored to help us win our first CCAA Championship in 2011. A 4-0 smashing of Chico State. That was fun and something I’ll never forget.

But the true joy of coaching comes from living the 40-year vision. A coach who is there when they commit, sign, struggle, succeed, graduate, go to graduate school, get a job, get married, have kids (no pressure Boogie), and more...