Living in the Moment

A Journey of Reflection and Triumph

The week leading up to the Colorado State Spirit Championship was a whirlwind of emotions and memories. As a coach of a team seeking their fourth consecutive state title, the pressure was palpable. Yet, amidst the focus on physical preparation, an unexpected wave of nostalgia washed over me, bringing with it a powerful lesson for my team.

A Bittersweet Memory

As I was driving and thinking about our routine, my thoughts drifted to the last day I saw my father alive, when I was just 13 years old. It was a seemingly ordinary Saturday, but that Saturday will stay in my memory forever. Instead of going skiing with friends, I stayed home, unknowingly setting the stage for a final, precious moment with my dad.

My dad worked on Saturday and oftentimes he would come home for lunch. The scene is etched in my mind: sitting at the kitchen counter with a towel on my head, enjoying a bowl of Fruity Pebbles while my dad, mom and sister also ate lunch. When my dad came to say goodbye, he playfully flicked my towel before leaving. His parting gesture—a silly dance at the garage door—left us both laughing. Hours later, we got a call that he was in the hospital, but then when we got there we were told that he died.

From Personal Loss to Team Inspiration

This poignant memory, surfacing amid championship preparations, became a catalyst for a deeper connection with my team. With 17 athletes, including 8 seniors who had only known victory, the emotional weight of their "lasts" was heavy. The year had already been emotional as tears would erupt out of any combination of the seniors, including myself. My team has not seen my cry so much. Each experience we had starting with our summer camps, we knew it was the last. I was able to draw a correlation.

I shared my story, drawing a parallel between my last moments with my father and their current journey:

"Each of you bring your own unique character traits and qualities that contribute to our collective strength. This particular combination of individuals is special and will never exist again in quite the same way.

As we approach the State competition, I want us to focus on savoring every moment rather than dwelling on the fact that it's our last time competing together at State. This reminds me of the last time I spent with my dad. I didn’t know that it would be the last time I would spend with him, so I was just enjoying my time with him. Instead of being sad about it being our final interaction, I cherish the memory of his silly dance and the laughter we shared.

Let's approach tomorrow with this same spirit of joy and appreciation. We are incredibly fortunate to be part of this team, and I'm deeply grateful to God for each one of you. I know you feel the same gratitude towards each other and for the opportunity we've created together.

As we unite as a team, let's channel all our hard work into a flawless routine. We're going to hit zero deductions in preliminaries and then surpass even that in finals. This is our chance to showcase our very best, to perform at a level we've never reached before.

Remember, it's not just about the end result - it's about embracing and enjoying every step of this incredible journey that lies ahead of us. Let's make every moment count."

Embracing the Moment

The result was remarkable. The team executed flawlessly, hitting zero in preliminaries and had an even stronger performance in finals. The seniors concluded their high school careers as four-time State Champions. Even better, they enjoyed the entire journey. Last week, one of the seniors said that they didn’t cry on the day of State. My purpose was not to have them avoid crying, but when she said that I realized, I did not see the tears that I had seen previously in the season. They simply savored every moment and enjoyed the journey.

Beyond the Routine: The Heart of Coaching

This experience reinforced a crucial lesson in coaching: it's not just about perfecting routines and choreography. The true essence lies in understanding your team's emotional landscape and addressing their hearts.

By recognizing potential obstacles and speaking to their innermost feelings, coaches can create a team environment brimming with confidence and camaraderie. Even without the trophy, the team's ability to cherish every moment would have been a victory in itself—a feeling that will resonate with them for years to come, much like my memories of my father.

In the end, coaching cheerleading, like any sport, is about nurturing not just physical skills but also emotional resilience and team spirit. It's about creating memories and experiences that transcend the mat and last a lifetime.