Being the Coach to any kind of team is an important role. In recent years it’s become more apparent to me just how impactful a good coach can be, especially for our youth.

Let me clarify. Alongside my wife and business partner, Maggie, I am assistant coach to our daughter’s soccer team. While Maggie and I both played soccer as kids, for me it wasn’t a primary or even a favorite sport (mine were football and lacrosse). This just means we’re not experts or fanatics of the game, but we’re crazy about this team and stepped up to keep a core group of girls together, including our daughter. It started with Maggie as an assistant coach the previous year, and then her taking the lead role last summer.

This is sort of a dream come true for me. See, I began sports at an early age by participating in swimming and judo at the YMCA in Washington, DC in the early 70’s. It continued and expanded to include soccer, tennis, football, baseball, swim team, speed skating, wrestling and lacrosse. Every step of the way, I was blessed with good coaches. I also had some great coaches, like John Qatsha and Ray Paige for football, Coach Day, Coach Kelly, and Coach Berry for baseball, and Coach Fisher for lacrosse. One coach stood out above all, and that was my J.V. football and lacrosse coach, Kevin Reilly. Coach Reilly was the model I would emulate should I ever become a coach because he left the most positive and indelible mark on my life through his authentic kindness and compassion. In addition to how he spoke to us, Coach Reilly used to leave us notes on our lockers prior to games. One of the notes pinned to my locker before a lacrosse game has ‘Born to Win’ written on the front. It’s a memento I’ve kept to this day. Coach Reilly knew how to inspire and motivate teams that would be champions in both sports during both years we played for him. I actually connected with him a few years ago to tell him so.

Fast forward. As of today, I’ve helped coach basketball, lacrosse, field hockey and now youth soccer teams where the constant was my daughter. The rewards keep coming in the form of time spent with my family, and shaping young lives. My father was always involved when I was playing. From the very beginning, all the way through high school. He was in the stands and often on the field. My coaching style is modeled after the presence of my father, and the love of sport and team exuded by my coaches, especially Coach Reilly. I am focused on supporting Maggie, being a positive influence to our players, and giving our daughter and her teammates a chance to grow together in a team setting.

Maggie and I love what we’re seeing. This team, the Piranhas, continues to impress us. They genuinely like one another, and it shows in their practice and their games. We are blessed to have been picked to coach this team, and are thankful for the incredible support we and the kids receive from their parents. Another memento I will be holding onto is the note Maggie and I received from one of our Soccer Moms after our most recent game (an upset victory). Here’s what she wrote:

Thanks to my Dad, and Coach Reilly for helping me be for them, what you were for me.