I remember when you first came on as our new coach and I did not like you. And I mean, at all. You were our boy’s cross country coach for your first season and you worked our guy’s team too hard. You kept them until six instead of 5. You made them do more than a high school team should do. You got frustrated when just one practice was missed. I remember telling my mom and friends you were "too much for a high school team."

As track season approached you moved into the head coaching position. I was now the person who was being worked too much and being kept too late. I wanted to hate you for it but instead I found myself with a change of heart... I stopped caring. You talked about all that could be accomplished if we just gave up the good and went for the great. And now... I wanted that too. You believed in our team and the program and eventually we all bought into it as well. I left behind my younger and less-experienced state of mind that said doing what was asked was good enough and picked up the mind set that I should push myself to be the best that I could be. Which meant putting in more miles, giving my all at practices, and leading my team with a can do attitude. I put my trust in you and your program because I knew without a doubt in my mind that you believed in each and every one of us.

In high school you coached my teammates and I to things that we never thought were possible. Dream goals that I had set back in Freshman year were now a reality. I was able to laugh and joke with you even if a week before that I thought I would never look past how mad you made me. You were tough but you were fair. You put the amount of effort into us that we put into you and it has made us not only better athletes but better people, which was always the goal.

And now as I look back two years later, as a college athlete, I can’t help but be forever thankful for the coach that was like a second dad to me. Always looking out for my best interest, putting me in position to be my best, and pushing me to achieve every one of my goals for athletics, school, and life. When I come home I can always meet up with you for a long run and chat, when I’m having a hard time with school I know you're a text away, and when I run a race out of my mind you’re the first person I tell. You won’t take any of the credit but I owe so much of the athlete and person that I am to you. You were never perfect but you were everything that I could’ve asked for in a coach and for that I thank you. I can’t wait to see how many more lives you touch with your dedication, drive, and thoughtfulness.

Thank you for everything.