Sports Talk: "Thanks for the workout, Coach."

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published June 5, 2013. 

I attended three sports banquets last week, as the spring sports have now concluded. During the boys’ tennis banquet, Coach Williams was telling a story about one of his athletes taking time at different points to thank him—for help, advice, whatever the case may be.

It brought back a phrase I, myself, made a habit of saying at the end of my practices as an athlete at Bellarmine University.

“Thanks for the workout, Coach.”

I probably started saying it my junior year at the end of each practice—maybe even my sophomore year. Most of us on the team said it. And that is because our coach had always said it to us.

It was always odd to me as a freshman when we would be concluding a tough workout—or even an easier one—and Coach Washington would smile, and his quiet, Washington-way, say, “Well, thank you for the workout, ladies.”

I wasn’t sure what it meant. We had not given him a workout. He stood there the whole time and was definitely not as exhausted as us. Was he thanking us for working out? But we were on a team… on scholarship… we had to be there, so why did he feel the need to thank us for doing what we were supposed to do?

But with our small workout group, I began to realize what his thanks meant. He was our coach, but he saw what we did together every day as an all-in effort. He was there for us and we were there for him and seeing the effort we put into a practice—sweat and pain and pushing through pain—he never failed to tell us thank you for that. He knew we could just as easily show up and not give any effort.

In the same light, I came to see that his dedication to being there deserved my thanks as well. He could show up and not care what we did, not pay attention, never do anything new. But, instead, he masterfully planned each workout with the intent of making us better athletes. He spent his time with us—and away from us—thinking of ways to help us become better athletes. He didn’t have to put that kind of effort into it, but he did. And for that, it only seemed right to end each practice saying, “Thanks for the workout, Coach.”

Athletics become a different ball game (no pun intended) when you begin to realize that making yourself the best possible is something others are investing time and dedication into as well. It changes when you realize that you have a coach or family or friends or teammates, that are going to put work and care into your improvements, not simply because it is their job or because they are being paid, but because they genuinely want you to succeed.

It can easily seem “expected” that the athletes show up and work hard at practice or that the coach shows up and have a workout planned. But remember the special relationship you share and the silent promise you are making to each other every day you show up to practice is something special and different than the effort you put into actual competition. Practice is where you show each other your dedication to becoming the best.

With summer here, most sports are now “optional” as the high school seasons are not active. The time put into athletics for both athletes and coaches is the proof of the level of dedication to success for both. So, especially during the summer, it won’t hurt to walk away saying, “Thanks for the workout, Coach.” My guess is your coach is thankful for the hour or two (or three!) of work you just put in as well.

Congrats Class of 2013--especially you student athletes!

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published May 15, 2013. 

Graduation is always a bittersweet time for everyone connected to a senior student—teachers, administrators, coaches, friends, family, and, of course, the seniors themselves.

Every student who is closing out their time at Casey County High School has accomplished major feats and some may be more obvious than others, so never assume that those finishing at the top of the class have accomplished more than others. You just never know what it took for any one person to be where they are.

Having said that, I do feel the student athletes deserve an extra pat on the back. Now, I’ll be honest and say that when I was a student athlete, in many ways I found being heavily involved in a sport bettered my work ethic when it came to the books. This was mainly because my schedule was so booked up with games, travel and practices, I had no choice but to squeeze in studying during the windows in between, rather than putting off your studies because you could do it any time.

Then again, working like this became my norm and probably does for any student athlete. You don’t have the convenience of “free time”. If you aren’t practicing, playing or studying, you are probably sleeping—because you can’t get enough of it!

Despite what became the norm for me as an athlete, you have accomplished something special.

First off, we all know that in order for them to even compete in athletics, their grades must reach a certain standard; therefore, all of Casey’s senior athletes were making time for school.

Second, being a part of a team is a learning experience in and of itself. The classrooms teach you the facts, how-to and prep you for college or a career, but sports teach you lessons you can carry through life about the kind of person you want to be; the way you dedicate yourself to something; the way you handle problems or defeat and the way you work with others. 

No matter if you were a four-year athlete or you came out to a sport for the first time as a senior, you’ve accomplished something special. Regardless of whether you plan to continue your athletic career at a collegiate level or not, I can guarantee you nothing will be the same as what you experienced while being a part of a high school team.

Be glad and proud that you took the opportunity to participate in one or multiple sports while you were at CCHS. Whether you were a starter, benchwarmer, record setter or MVP does not matter. You took the opportunity to be a part of something you may never get the opportunity to try or do again.

Congrats to all of the graduating Rebel and Lady Rebel athletes!