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Why Do Our Coaches Coach?

August 11th, 2020 by Eric Berry


After two seasons at the helm of Lyndon Institute (LI) athletics, I continue to marvel at our athletes’ dedication to their sport.  I remain equally amazed at our coaches’ dedication.  At the end of this past winter sports season, we hosted the district ski championships at Burke Mountain.  Learning what Coach Kresser and Coach Leafe have to do in the days prior to the race, the hours of effort required to pull off a smooth event, was eye-opening and inspirational.

Based on the number of hours, days, and weeks our coaches devote to their jobs, it’s clear none of them are doing it for the influx of funds into their bank account.  I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be a good exercise to find out why they coach?  And so I asked and got some amazing responses:

“Coaching takes on deep meaning and is integral to building positive relationships,” offered boys’ volleyball coach Casey Tanner.

The central figure for spirit at the school is cheer coach Ashley Stoddard.  Each year her team helps with fundraising for NEK causes that are in dire need of help.  Her teams are always in the top five in fundraising efforts.  Coach Stoddard summed up her thoughts on the team’s efforts, “I think it’s important that they help their community and give back.  In the winter season, they assist in wrapping gifts for the elderly for Christmas!”

Erek Cook, LI’s dedicated athletic trainer said, “I see how much these students enjoy the work and rewards of being an athlete, and my small part within the athletics community helps the students achieve their athletic goals and grow as people.” Isn’t that what we’re all in it for at the end of the day?

Dick McCarthy’s philosophy is akin to many others who see athletics as an extension of the classroom: “It is hard for me to distinguish my coaching life from my teaching life, as both acts share so many of the same skills and emotions.”  Here, here, coach.

This past year our boys’ basketball team started with a one and five record.  They closed the season winning ten of the next fourteen contests and headed to the Division Two playoffs.  They were able to achieve this feat through the philosophy of our great young basketball coach, Patrick Rainville, who said, “There is no greater thrill than watching a team and individuals soar beyond what they perceived possible.”

Soar beyond what they perceived possible.  Our athletes are guided by so many great mentors from both our faculty and our coaching staff who give their athletes this opportunity every day.  In the words of newly-anointed Head Football Coach Dan Nolan, as a coach “you serve as a motivator, psychologist, teacher, counselor, parent, friend, disciplinarian, and the list could go on and on”.

So, it’s simple, that’s why our coaches coach.  And they’re really good at it.

Photo caption: LI’s Head Varsity Basketball Coach, Patrick Rainville (center) strategizes with his team during a time out at a game on December 21, 2019.

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