Dear Coach,

I don't think you will ever realize the impact you made on my life. From the start, I knew I would be able to count on you, but I never knew how much my life would change. It's been awhile since I was your athlete but I still feel like you're my coach. Your words are forever imprinted in my heart, and I will always carry them with me throughout my journey.

I'm sure as a coach and vice principal your goal is to impact student's in a positive way but I have never experienced someone so dedicated to a team as you. I don't think many athletes get the chance to talk one on one with their coach about school, boys, drama, and the game of basketball but I was blessed enough to have that opportunity. I think besides my parents, you have seen me cry more than anyone else. You also helped me get through the adversity I was facing just by listening and offering Christ-centered advice.

My favorite thing you taught me was that basketball is not just a game, its also prepares you for life. You always joke about how you wish you had me for two more years because the two you had were not enough. Honestly, that made me feel like a hundred bucks because I felt valued as a player.

When I didn't believe in myself or had a rough game, you never gave up on me. You still trusted that in crunch time I would make the play. When someone with your leadership and authority says something like that to an athlete, it feels like there is nothing they can't do.

You taught our team that winning a game is just a small point in our lives, but there are other things besides basketball. At the time, I kind of understood your words, but I was definitely living my life as a basketball player. Basketball was a major part of who I was, and I never took a game lightly. Winning and losing felt like my whole world. Then I graduated and it was all over. At first, I was heartbroken, and I felt sad for a long time. Who was I then? Just like all of the people who were stars in high school and then hung up their jersey and lived in their glory days? Your words spoke loudly in my life as I began to feel like I was worthless now that I didn't have "basketball player" tied to my name.

When you coached me, you told me my worth is not through worldly things but through God. When we played against other teams you told us to play for God's glory and not our own. You showed us by example that using the game of basketball we can bring others to God.

This knowledge has set a foundation on how I interact with people. In the Bible, it says to strive to be more Christ-like as you go through life. You have taught me ways to do this that work I am forever thankful to have a role model like you. I wish every athlete had a coach like you in their lives. I know when I become a coach one day, I want to make an impact in someone's life just like you did in mine.

I know you tell me that you wish you had two more years with me, but I am the one who really needed the two more years with you.

With deep appreciation,

Your former athlete