05/19/2025
🧡🤍More Than Just A Game🤍🧡
Spring of 1998, Bryan and I were coaching in the small town of Rotan, Texas. That spring, the girls 800m relay team qualified for the state track meet. Although we didn’t make it to the medal stand, it was a great experience! Then the unthinkable happened. That summer, some of them were witness to an unspeakable freak accident which claimed the life of our first leg, Haley. Haley was the calm to the chaos of any situation, and was an outstanding student athlete. I was 28 years old at the time, and was still figuring a lot of life out myself. That August began the search for some stability in our small school where Haley was so loved. We wanted to honor her, but also move forward, but never forgetting. It was truly a balancing act in which many deep conversations and tears took place. From delivering her letter jacket to her mom and dad as a team, to placing patches on our uniforms - we were all fumbling through this difficult life circumstance with only the grace of God as our guide. That spring, again the 800m relay qualified for the state track meet. Unbeknownst to me, when this team of athletes stood on the medal stand at Regional, a banner was unrolled reading, “Running with an Angel”. I am certain there was not a dry eye in the stadium as people from all across our region honored Haley. When it came time to load the bus to go to State, I literally had to coax one of the athletes, one of Haley’s best friends, onto the bus. We have loved kids through the loss of a parent, divorce, financial struggles and being kicked out of their home. Not to mention the typical teenage struggles of friendships and relationships. However, losing a friend was just unimaginable. Those girls were and are some of the strongest people I know, and I am blessed to say that after 25 years, I still keep up with most of them. Ironically, Haley’s sister moved to the same town I lived in last year, and it was really good just to hug her neck! The moral of this story is simple, coaching goes way beyond just coaching. Those grieving girls needed me, but I needed them in my grief just as much.
As a coach, you have students dealing with real life. Most of the time, these athletes turn to their coach when life gets too heavy. Never take for granted the responsibility you have to mentor and guide your athletes. Never underestimate your influence on a young adult. Never forget it is more than just a game.
*This writing was approved by Haley’s parents and is written in loving memory of her. 🧡🤍🧡
