As I outlines in my last blog a few days ago, this is one of those dates that has significant meaning to me and along with the other days I will point out, has shaped me (in some degree) into the person I am today.
November 11, 2000.
At this point in my life, I had been married to Kellea for a little less than one year and we had our little girl Kylee who was about 4 months old. I had been a Christian for all of 6 days and was coaching my third basketball game since that incredible day.
I had taken my new position at the YMCA but continued to coach the boy's middle school team at Sacred Heart Catholic School. I had coached this set of young men since most were in the 3rd and 4th grade and loved them like no team I had ever coached. They were a great team. They knew how to play and they worked hard.
I put them through hell and regrettably most of it was not even remotely necessary. Call it misguided or self-indulgent or just plain stupid and all would probably fit just fine.
We made it to the Finals of the pre-season Tourney where we lost to San Jose Catholic.
We finished second in the regular season with only two losses...both to San Jose Catholic.
We made it to the Championship game where on this date (11/11/00), we lost to San Jose Catholic.
For lack of a better term, I was going to "retire" at the conclusion of the last game. I could no longer ask the YMCA if I could leave early every day for practice and with a growing family, my time was no longer mine to do with as I wished.
That was 9 years ago. Since then, I have skirted every chance to coach teams, including unfortunately those of my own children. I did dabble as an assistant for MCS a few years ago with my brother-in-law Bill who was coaching the girl's middle school team. And about 2 months ago, I was roped into being an assistant for my son's t-ball team. But never a head coach.
Some of you close to me, may wonder why I left out the details of my last game since there were plenty to share. I guess my answer is: I don't know. Maybe because I have blocked so many of the memories out of my mind or I've moved past it now. I can't recall what the score was or even how much we lost by. I vaguely remember the award ceremony. I can't even recall what color our uniforms were or what we called our offensive or defensive play sets.
Nevertheless, it's a day that will stick with me forever...or at least I think it will. :-)
November 11, 2000.
At this point in my life, I had been married to Kellea for a little less than one year and we had our little girl Kylee who was about 4 months old. I had been a Christian for all of 6 days and was coaching my third basketball game since that incredible day.
I had taken my new position at the YMCA but continued to coach the boy's middle school team at Sacred Heart Catholic School. I had coached this set of young men since most were in the 3rd and 4th grade and loved them like no team I had ever coached. They were a great team. They knew how to play and they worked hard.
I put them through hell and regrettably most of it was not even remotely necessary. Call it misguided or self-indulgent or just plain stupid and all would probably fit just fine.
We made it to the Finals of the pre-season Tourney where we lost to San Jose Catholic.
We finished second in the regular season with only two losses...both to San Jose Catholic.
We made it to the Championship game where on this date (11/11/00), we lost to San Jose Catholic.
For lack of a better term, I was going to "retire" at the conclusion of the last game. I could no longer ask the YMCA if I could leave early every day for practice and with a growing family, my time was no longer mine to do with as I wished.
That was 9 years ago. Since then, I have skirted every chance to coach teams, including unfortunately those of my own children. I did dabble as an assistant for MCS a few years ago with my brother-in-law Bill who was coaching the girl's middle school team. And about 2 months ago, I was roped into being an assistant for my son's t-ball team. But never a head coach.
Some of you close to me, may wonder why I left out the details of my last game since there were plenty to share. I guess my answer is: I don't know. Maybe because I have blocked so many of the memories out of my mind or I've moved past it now. I can't recall what the score was or even how much we lost by. I vaguely remember the award ceremony. I can't even recall what color our uniforms were or what we called our offensive or defensive play sets.
Nevertheless, it's a day that will stick with me forever...or at least I think it will. :-)
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