I just hit “send” on the email announcing that I have transitioned into a new role with the high school volleyball program that I started from the ground up four years ago. My new role is that of assistant coach. I am no longer the head coach. I no longer have to schedule matches and practices or order uniforms or coordinate the spirit wear order or make sure physical forms have been turned in or find volunteers to work the door and the scorer’s table or do post-game write-ups until well after midnight, or compile stats…or…or…or!
So, now it’s time to reflect over the last four years. It is time to assess. Was I successful in my endeavor to create and maintain a boys high school volleyball program? Did I accomplish the goals I set out to accomplish? Unfortunately, I am that obsessive/compulsive and I do feel the need to evaluate this right now. So, the first step I took was backwards. I just re-read all of my previous blog posts about my high experiences coaching boys high school volleyball. Naturally, I cried. One of my earliest posts was actually about crying and how high school boys might react to a coach that tends to cry “happy tears”. Yep, I pretty much nailed that post – I wasn’t going to change and they adapted to my behavior.
So, what is success and can it be measured? Well, wins and losses can easily be measured. Final standing in tournaments and coaches polls are also easily measured. And while all athletes need to “win” sometimes, I don’t think I can evaluate the success or fail of my attempt to build a high school volleyball program, from the ground up, in four years, solely by looking at the number of matches won compared to the number of matches played.
I think school administrators would call it a success, I have received a couple of emails today stating that very directly. We doubled the number of participants from year one to year four. In four years have graduated 15 players and 5 managers from the program. Attendance numbers at home matches have risen dramatically. We won conference this year, had four players on the all-conference team, and seven players academic all-conference. We finished 9th in the state for the second year in a row. We placed six players on academic all-state and one on the all-state team this year. Our winning percentage has continued to increase each season, finishing at 75% this season.
However, we set a goal at the end of the second season to be playing on State Tournament weekend and while I thought it was a stretch goal of 2017, I was fairly confident it was an attainable goal in 2018. We didn’t make it either year. We never finished a weekend tournament as #1 or #2.
In a post from 2017, I wrote – It is my job to push them out of their comfort zones, challenge them to be better and do better, equip them to identify differences, learn how to adapt to and even embrace those differences, and to share my love, passion and knowledge of the game of volleyball with them.
And in a post from 2016, I wrote – At the conclusion of our day, I shared with you the things I want others to notice and remember about “my boys”:
1. They show respect for officials, fans, coaches, managers, opponents and teammates
2. They are good kids who are fun to watch play the game
3. They know, love and understand the game
Yep, I need look no further than my own previous posts to find my measures of success. I had no idea what I was getting into 4 years ago. It took more time, effort and energy than I every imagined. At times it took more than I thought I had to give. But the flip side is that what I have received back from the players and managers that I have had the privilege of working with over the last four years far exceeds the time, effort and energy spent working to build the program. The hugs on senior night from boys with tears in their eyes who could barely whisper “thank you”. The heart-felt thank you notes, emails, text messages and social media posts from players and managers at the conclusion of the season erase ALL the sleep-deprived nights (and days).
I don’t need wins or losses to know whether or not I have been successful. I have something so much better. I have the kids. The ones who send me texts and mention me in social media posts. The ones who stop and give me a hug every time they see me. The ones who go out of their way to speak to me. The college football player who included his one year of high school volleyball experience in the football program bio. Or the one who pulled his car over to stop and talk to me on the street. And the one who just recently said good night after summer league and then came back, because he hadn’t remembered to say thank you.
To all of my former, current and future players – you are my measure of success. The lessons and memories you take from our time together and then shape into your future and your own successes – that is my measure of success. No time spent with children is ever wasted. I am eternally grateful for the time you chose to spend with me.
Forever yours in volleyball,
Coach Angie