A Coach is a Teacher by Cameryn

A Coach is a Teacher by Cameryn - June 2021 Scholarship Essay

Why aren’t coaches given the credit of teachers? They teach, inspire, love, push, support, they do everything a teacher does as well as share the love for the game with their team. My most inspirational “teacher” was Coach Steven Lorway. A man that in all honesty loves the game of softball more than most players. Coach Steve has been the most influential teacher I have had because he has inspired me to be myself , helped me love the game even more, pushed me to my highest potential, picked me up when I’ve fallen, and helped teach me that I am perfect the way I am; to not let anyone take my fire away. A coach is like a teacher, they just don’t educate the future minds of tomorrow. But they do teach in more ways than none. They not only teach the game but they teach the life lessons that come with it. Softball isn’t just a game, and Coach Steve isn’t just a coach he's an influencer, a teacher, and a friend.
Coach, to the dictionary, is someone who trains athletes. Trains is a verb that doesn’t even come close to scratching the surface of what Coach Steve has done for me. Teacher to the dictionary is someone who teaches children, teaches meaning to give wisdom. But doesn’t a coach do that as well? Coach Steve has taught me more valuable things that aren’t the pythagorean theorem. He has taught me that life doesn’t go as planned, that you win some and lose some. Softball is more than a game, and Coach Steve is more than just a coach. Coach Steve embarks wisdom, and not book smart wisdom, life lessons. Life isn’t always pretty. Every game isn’t going to go as planned, just like everyday isn’t going to be perfect. Now I didn’t learn that from school I learned that from Coach Steve and the game of softball. Coach Steve never yells after a lost game he inspires. He tells us that even though things went wrong we can improve, we can move on, there will be other games. Just like in life there will be more days to make it better. Coach Steve inspires me to bring my biggest potential in every aspect of my life; through his wisdom and love.
My most influential teacher is my coach. Coach Steve has been my coach for three years now, he’s known me since I was 15 years old; but treats me as if I was one of his own daughters. But Coach Steve isn’t all business, he can be goofy and funny and that's another reason why he is the best teacher I’ve had. You can goof around with him, while also pushing yourself to be the best version of you. He wants the absolute best out of each and every one of his players. But Coach Steve is not just influential and goofy he loves the game. To find a coach who loves the game as much and maybe even more than a player is something special. His devotion, work ethic, and time show in each and every one of the practices and games we have. And his love rubs off onto other people. The love for the game radiates from him at the ballpark. He loves softball, and has made me love softball even more...if that’s even possible.
Coach Steve is a teacher, don’t let the word coach trick you. He loves his players and the game, he inspires me to do my best, he teaches me to take things slow and relax. Coach Steve is the most influential teacher I’ve had because he loves me like I'm his own daughter and treats me with respect. He sees the best in me and has taught me that I am able to bring the best out in myself always. I am so grateful for Coach Steve. And so happy that he has taught me so much about not only the game of softball but life itself.