After reading an article in my local paper about a girl's HS lacrosse team's victory where 90% of the article was about the suspension of the head and assistant coach, one man, one woman, it begged the question " Why Coach?" These coach's were suspended while a non -criminal investigation was being held. The investigation was called for after some parent complaints were made. Not that it matters but the head coach has been coaching ten years and won three Sectional Titles. His daughter is on the team. I have been coaching since 1977. The only times I asked myself the question " Why Coach?" was when parents were involved. After all, Why would anyone give up 3-6 hours a day during their 4 month season, time during the off season to ( the other 8 months), to organize and run off season workouts, get kids into AAU programs, run camps, etc. It's certainly not for the money. I used to tell my players parents every year, " Your job is to support your child, feed them, make sure they get enough rest, get them to practice & pick them up & whatever else you can do to support the program". " Remember when you are watching a game you are watching # 12, while I am watching 12 players". Whenever I had an issue with parents it was about the All Mighty PT also known as Playing Time. Parents are "blind" when it comes to their child. They see $$$$$$. A possible college scholarship. If a coach gets in the way, We'll complain. We'll accuse him/her of something. You think they are your friends until you take away some of their child's PT, then you find out what you mean to them You are a means to their end. So again I ask, " Why Coach?"
I do it for the love of the game and of teaching. I do it for the joy of watching kids grow and the relationships you make and build. I still am connected with many of my players, their parents, coaches,referees, and others connected to the game. But when ever I see an article about a situation like this I cringe. Not that all coaches are doing all the right thing but for God's Sake, can you understand then, " Why Coach/" Sign me Been There........
