Introduction: 6 Unexpected Keys that Contributed to Winning 6 State Championships

coaching competitions

As a coach, I closed out the year winning my sixth State Championship. I am extremely humbled and honored to accomplish this, but in no way did these titles come easily. They literally came with blood, sweat and tears and not just my blood sweat and tears. The efforts of many made this possible.

I will be sharing with you who helped make this possible, but then in the next six weeks, I will be sharing six unexpected keys that contributed to winning six state championships.

For me, this is who makes it possible:

Athletes

The athletes I coached are the most significant reason why these State Championships have been possible. They believed me when I said they could do it and they put in the work. It wasn’t just the athletes on the State Championship teams, it was also the athletes that were on the teams that did not win. For the teams that did not win, their dedication and perseverance taught me valuable lessons as a coach that I have directly applied to my continuous development of my coaching philosophy.

Coaching Staff

Without a team of assistant coaches, the State Championships would not have been possible. I have worked with quite a variety of coaches and each one has challenged me to be better. I very much value loyalty and I also value having a team of coaches who “have my back”. Having my back does not mean that they just do what I say. Having my back means they will give insight on how to make the team better and give feedback to me when I have not been my best.

I have had the pleasure of working with a variety of assistants who have offered different perspectives and experiences that have made a difference in the success of all my teams. It has been a wonderful experience to have assistants who used to be athletes on my teams in the past. I even have one assistant who used to cheer on an Open All Star team with me 15 years ago. He has coached with me off and on over the years. It has been amazing to see this come full circle.

Friends who Coach

Throughout the years I have gained some great cheer coach friends. We share videos with each other and ask advice on our routines. We cheer on each other's teams as well. My cheer coach friends support me in so many wonderful ways. I also have a good friend who is a volleyball coach. We share with each other how we are motivating our teams and how we guide our teams in spiritual growth. (We both coach at Christian schools.)

Family

Without the support of my family and friends, this would not be possible. My husband always knows when I am choreographing a routine. It doesn’t matter where we are - a restaurant, watching TV, driving - he sees me looking like I am in a zone and he knows I am creating my next stunt sequence, pyramid, or dance. It is my husband who is there when I am shedding tears over emotional seasons. My 10 year old son, who is now an All Star cheerleader and future coach and choreographer, sits through many of my practices. I ask him for advice on where I should put someone in the routine if I cannot decide. He always seems to be right! I could not do this without my family.

Faith

My faith plays a key role in everything I do and it is at the core of how I coach. I would not be where I am today without the Lord directing my steps and being present in my life. Everything that happens within practices, games, and competitions, has Jesus at the center of it all. We are not there for our own glory, but for God’s glory. We are not there to perform for anyone. I coach my team to radiate God’s glory. When they perform, it is their opportunity to showcase who God created them to be.

As you look over your season, who helps to make your success possible?

Over the next six posts, I am going to share with you 6 Unexpected Keys that contributed to 6 State Championships.