Athletic Philosophy
I attribute much of my physical, social and even professional development to my former coaches. My coaches were the ones who had the ability to shape me the most because I spent more time every week with them then my classroom teachers. As I reflect on my past four years as a varsity diver for SUNY Cortland and also the years earlier of being a varsity athlete in my high school I can say that the education I have received within the field of sport goes hand and hand with my education in the classroom. Some life lessons can just not be taught at a desk. I will take my past positive experiences and replicate for my future athletes to help push them in the direction of self-actualization becoming motivated, self-driven well rounded individuals that are not only great athletes but very morally advanced members of society.
While I was overseas in Europe I was able to witness the differences in sport and coaching, one aspect of sport that stood out as remarkably different was that in Europe there is no focus placed on sport through school. One thing that the USA does well is develop the youth through sport. In this country it is almost common practice for high school students to be involved in after school programs. According to the annual High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS),” 55.5 percent of students enrolled in high schools participate in athletics, which emphasizes and reinforces the idea that high school sports continue to have a significant role in student involvement in schools across the country.” Every team I have ever been apart of has been a positive experience for me and I would like to continue that tradition for the students in my school one day, just as my teacher/coaches did for me. Sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, respect for self and others are all important values that I can attribute to my time on the field more then my time in the classroom. Athletics also have a large roll in bringing a community together, through competitions, events/gatherings, and charity. As I reflect my childhood coaches did more then just direct a team but direct a community, bringing positive influence into entire school districts, bringing families and friends closer together.
My best coaches from my dad coaching soccer in the first grade to Tom Quinn coaching Cortland Varsity diving have always been positive role models. It is important to have a person of value in your life to look up to on a daily basis. Other characteristics my best coaches demonstrated includes, passion for the sport, respect for his or her players, and selflessness. Giving up what ever they had to in order to produce the most skilled, knowledgeable and virtuous players.
Last I would like to share the must simple one of the most important parts of sport and coaching. Fun, although this is one of the most important parts of coaching some coaches forget this is why they are there in the first place. Winning is fun, but failure is equally important. Being successful in competition may seem important which it is but the thing that really makes sport a positive experience is when a group of friends is laughing, smiling and walking of the field together as one unit, subconscious knowing that this is their safe happy place they get to return to as an escape from the difficulties they may face throughout their day. As a coach I would like to be the safety net, which pushes players towards positive learning and has them leave with sweaty smiles on their faces.
I attribute much of my physical, social and even professional development to my former coaches. My coaches were the ones who had the ability to shape me the most because I spent more time every week with them then my classroom teachers. As I reflect on my past four years as a varsity diver for SUNY Cortland and also the years earlier of being a varsity athlete in my high school I can say that the education I have received within the field of sport goes hand and hand with my education in the classroom. Some life lessons can just not be taught at a desk. I will take my past positive experiences and replicate for my future athletes to help push them in the direction of self-actualization becoming motivated, self-driven well rounded individuals that are not only great athletes but very morally advanced members of society.
While I was overseas in Europe I was able to witness the differences in sport and coaching, one aspect of sport that stood out as remarkably different was that in Europe there is no focus placed on sport through school. One thing that the USA does well is develop the youth through sport. In this country it is almost common practice for high school students to be involved in after school programs. According to the annual High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS),” 55.5 percent of students enrolled in high schools participate in athletics, which emphasizes and reinforces the idea that high school sports continue to have a significant role in student involvement in schools across the country.” Every team I have ever been apart of has been a positive experience for me and I would like to continue that tradition for the students in my school one day, just as my teacher/coaches did for me. Sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, respect for self and others are all important values that I can attribute to my time on the field more then my time in the classroom. Athletics also have a large roll in bringing a community together, through competitions, events/gatherings, and charity. As I reflect my childhood coaches did more then just direct a team but direct a community, bringing positive influence into entire school districts, bringing families and friends closer together.
My best coaches from my dad coaching soccer in the first grade to Tom Quinn coaching Cortland Varsity diving have always been positive role models. It is important to have a person of value in your life to look up to on a daily basis. Other characteristics my best coaches demonstrated includes, passion for the sport, respect for his or her players, and selflessness. Giving up what ever they had to in order to produce the most skilled, knowledgeable and virtuous players.
Last I would like to share the must simple one of the most important parts of sport and coaching. Fun, although this is one of the most important parts of coaching some coaches forget this is why they are there in the first place. Winning is fun, but failure is equally important. Being successful in competition may seem important which it is but the thing that really makes sport a positive experience is when a group of friends is laughing, smiling and walking of the field together as one unit, subconscious knowing that this is their safe happy place they get to return to as an escape from the difficulties they may face throughout their day. As a coach I would like to be the safety net, which pushes players towards positive learning and has them leave with sweaty smiles on their faces.