From College Athlete to Coach

From age five, sports were basically my life. If I wasn’t playing basketball, kickball or running bases outside with the kids who lived on my street, you would find me in a gym practicing. I grew up around my older sisters playing numerous sports and with a dad who was a sports fanatic. I played in so many organizations that I don’t know how my parents kept track of where I was supposed to be and when. These organized sports included basketball for the school I attended, AAU basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming (indoor and outdoor seasons), volleyball for the school I attended and junior Olympics volleyball.

One year ago, I was in the middle of my senior season as a college basketball player. I never knew how much I would miss morning practices, long bus rides and playing for a championship. Fast forward to January 2016 and I am on the other side of the game. It’s scary how fast I went from being #11 to Coach Jenn. I always knew I wanted to coach and share my experiences, but I never knew I would miss playing this much.

Although I miss my time as a player, when I get that look of “Coach Jenn did you see that…I did it, I did it” from one of my little girls, nothing compares to that moment. I see that light go off and I realize that I have not lost the game. I often look around the gym and see the girls laughing and cheering each other on and remember it was never just about basketball itself, but who I was surrounded by while playing.

Coaching, so far, has been fun, yet difficult for me at times. I sometimes forget that they are still learning. I’m pretty confident that, at least one time every practice, one of my girls says, “Jenn we have no idea what you are talking about.” At that point I just have to laugh, and usually tell them to get a drink so I can figure out a better way to explain. I think coaching will find a way to fill my need for sports and I am beyond happy to share my love of the game with the first team I have ever coached.