She took my hand and squeezed it. “You sold yourself short. You could’ve been more than a teacher and a coach.”
I returned the squeeze and said “Listen to me, Savannah. There’s no word in the language I revere more than teacher. None. My heart sings when a kid refers to me as his teacher and it always has. I’ve honored myself and the entire family of man by becoming one.” (p. 557).
Pat Conroy
The Prince of Tides
My father gave me this quote when I got my first teaching job at Pioneer Middle School in Plymouth in the early 90’s. He framed it for me and it now hangs in my office as I start my new job as Executive Director of BCAM (Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan).
Every time I look at it I realize how lucky I’ve been. I often think of all the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and learn from in this profession. For me, being involved in basketball and golf has turned out to be a blessing in my life.
Basketball has always been my passion, but coaching golf these past years at Plymouth High School has been equally rewarding. If you would have told me when I started teaching and coaching, focusing my whole life on basketball, that I would have been involved in 2 girls’ state championships, another state runner-up and a boys’ 3rd place finish coaching GOLF, I would have said you were crazy!!
I was and still consider myself to be a basketball guy, but golf has impacted my life in such a positive way that I never would have imagined. I took up the game in my late 20’s, learned from a great teacher, Dick Gray, and fell in love with the game. I have witnessed the positive impact its made on so many young people.
I see an increased confidence, a determination to improve, more patience and humility in many young golfers. So often I would hear from them how much they didn’t want to play golf when they first started; how hard it is.
Now I consistently hear “I will play golf for the rest of my life.” It’s the same way with teaching and coaching. At first it seems overwhelming and you hear about all the negatives, but once you start to realize what an impact you can make in someone else’s life, you will realize – it’s all worth it.
To young people who are considering entering the teaching/coaching profession; it’s a lot like your first experience with the game of golf. It’s going to be a challenge, but it will change your life forever!
