When I Hear "Coach"

Coach. It is a word that I have heard for more than thirty years, yet it never gets old or worn out. In my week, the hat I wear the most is that of high school principal. I have also been a headmaster, a school administrator, chaplain, high school teacher, college professor, web designer, test car driver, janitor, assembly line worker, store clerk, paper deliverer, writer, husband, dad, and more recently, "Paaa" to two little toddlers who run me ragged whenever I see them.

But the one word that has been a constant reminder of a secondary yet important role I have been blessed to have been given is one I respect and cherish - Coach. Since 1978, I have been selected or volunteered to be another kind of teacher.  It has been a colorful journey as a coach to boys baseball and basketball, cross country and track to both genders, volleyball, ultimate, and girls basketball. Each team had its unique persoanlity and crazy cast of characters, and many of them have earned affectionate and unforgettable nicknames that I will carry with me forever - Crash, Thunder Calves, Shee-Ra, Rehema, Johnny Consolidate, PowerBar, C squared, Bobby Juan, Tour Mode, Noodles, Giggles, House, Heinz 57, Twin Towers, All Wise, Franceeeseee, and more than I can recall here. More importantly, many of them have earned titles that supercede these nicknames - engineer, accountant, banker, marketing expert, mother, designer, salesman, teacher, doctor, attorney, therapist, writer, researcher, and yes, some even with the name of Coach.

My mother, Mary Down

Coach has been my first name to hundreds of student-athletes, some of whom now have kids themselves, and some who today also bear the name Coach - in Illinois, Texas, California, and Oregon. My precious mother is a famed high school and college volleyball coach in Michigan, and the local paper did an article on her coaching legacy a few years back. At the time, eighteen of her former players were coaching volleyball somewhere in the country.

 In my current role, I am 'Mr. Down' to most of our 315 students as we pass in the hallways. While I appreciate all those greetings, the one that grabs my attention most is when I hear a voice in school call out "Coach!"  I immediately go into another mode, ready to respond to a question about practice, running shoes, missing practice to make up a test, or advice about a stretch to do for a nagging injury (of which we had more than our share this year). As 'Coach', I become a confidant, psychologist, personal trainer, academic counselor, and somewhat of a 'guru' for our sport.

Our boys and girls cross country teams just completed our fourth season this week. The girls barely missed a trip to the state meet, and the boys finished close to the coveted top three spots that make it each year. While we did not capture the goal of a state meet, the season was filled with many personal records, surprises, and a scrapbook full of memorable moments. We were blessed to have a couple runners make All-Region, with one being an eighth grader.

While another season in cross country may have ended, the memories of this season will become part of a bigger tapestry that God has allowed me to become a part. The lessons of life we have shared over three deacdes has enriched me so much as a person that I can never repay it to those whom He has placed in my life. It is a sacred privilege to be allowed access into the lives of young adults as they forge their values and world views.

To all of you whom God has blessed me to be allowed to coach, counsel and share, I say a deep thank you. I pray for many of you often and am grateful to have been a part of your exciting lives, and to have heard you call me by name - Coach.